Frankly if the landlord is more concerned about the superficial appearance of the stairs rather than the safety of the occupants, there is not much that can be done. I'd inform the landlord that the stairs are slippery and unsafe and ask him to make them safer - in writing. I found some anti-skid safety strips and tape but they are in a bright yellow - as recommended by ADA for visually impaired people for safety.- red or black. Grainger Industrial Supply Lowe's carries an anti-skid additive that can be put into paint to make it anti-skid, but I don't think it is colorless. See below. OOOHHH! I found this! "Seal Krete Clear Grip is micronized polymeric light profile aggregate for use as an anti-skid additive in most paint or clear coatings. It is hard, clear, and has excellent resistance to chemicals and detergents and will give gentle texture to your floor paints. It is effective and yet is gentle enough for walking on with bare feet. Excellent for around pools or food preparation areas or where often cleaning is necessary. The lightweight allows it to remain in suspension longer than traditional skid resistant additives. It is resistant to solvents and can be used in solvent-based alkyd, urethane and epoxy coatings. Do not use in repellents, silicones or wax coatings." Here is a link that might be useful: Interior/Exterior Anti-Skid Additive Paint

Lilyfinch, if it's just a few steps going in and out of your house, you can build, or buy, a dog ramp. Look on Craigslist. Someone is always selling one somewhere. The neoprene of indoor/outdoor rugs can feel slippery, but I've not had a problem with the dogs slipping on the braided treads I put on my steps. but then, I have only two steps, plus the floor at the top, on which I don't have a tread, not an entire staircase. If it's really just for the dog, I'd get treads. They're a LOT cheaper than a runner. A runner you either have to have the right tools to install it correctly yourself, or hire someone to install it. If they're not installed correctly, they are a serious slipping hazard. With treads, you just put them down with double-sided tape and a rug pad yourself, and then you can just take them up in the future if you want to do so. Any wood stairs w/o carpeting should be treated with anti-slip stuff so people in socks don't slip and fall. I have a very tough staircase up to the children's bedroom. It's very steep and the treads are very narrow, but there is no carpet on them. A carpet would make them more dangerous because of the narrowness of the treads. But they are treated, so they aren't slippery at all. Nosoccermom, if your treads are wide enough, the anti-slip stuff might be enough for your dog.

You can either buy anti-slip tapes, or you can get polyurethane with an nonslip additive. Or something like this.. skid safe Here is a link that might be useful: Tape

Get a darn runner for gods sake. The issue is more than slipping, these bare stairs "blur" in your vision making a fall all the more possible. You leave several inches each side exposed wood, and YES you will know the wood is there. Do a cap and band install, and use a very good broadloom store, to select and have them hand bind and install. After you've made a selection, they will come out, measure . Don't even try to do a ready to go thingamajig , online.