My older dog is very comfortable using these steps. I've tried others in the past and he wouldn't go near them, but these he used right away. They have a nice broad surface, very wide steps, and I think that makes all the difference for him. Plus a little bit of a cushion so I think it just feels like an extension of the couch to him. An added bonus is  the storage capacity, since I've been trying to find the right place to keep all my pets' papers. Perfect! I'm very happy with this purchase.