<human>: This is not related to dog training, but I was wondering if this community had any ideas.

I recently moved in with a friend who lives on the 2nd floor of an apartment (and I will be here for about 4 months). The stairs up to the apartment look something like [this] There are wood beam accents to the top and bottom landing, and my dog, Reese, will walk across the wood for as long as possible (she will even jump a few steps to get to the wood). She will also walk on the edge of the step where there is about a 1.5 inch non-slip edge. But, most of the time her poor paws are being stretched into the grate, and its separating her pads, nails etc. There are 17 steps that have barely any solid, flat room for paws to walk on. Since the stairs are outside I am concerned that the grating might eventually injure her/rip a pad. She climbs super slow up and down the stairs and it looks so uncomfortable!! I feel so bad.

I was wondering if anyone has come up with something to fix a problem similar to mine? I was thinking I would buy wood, cut it into about 1 ft by (roughly) 8 inch rectangles and then use 2 large screws to go thru the wood and then be placed thru the grating on the side of the stair so it doesn't move around or fly off with wind. My only requirements are: I am unemployed for the time being so I would ideally like to spend under $50 and I have access to only a limited amount of tools. And, I have never done anything like this before. Any ideas, suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated!!!

Give me the gist of the text in a nutshell
<bot>: Metal grate stairs up to apartment causing pain for dog paws. looking for cheap Macgyver suggestions to make an alternate, solid stair for the dog.