Anyone tried building a ramp for a small dog to get up stairs

[guyster]

Originally Posted by Wayfaring Stranger

The ramp might have been too narrow. She panicked and did not go down it.

Put a hand rail on it 3 inch or so. Make her feel more secured ??

[5picker]

Our dog had a habit of getting her nails stuck in the small holes of the steps.
She pulled a nail out once.
We covered the steps but she was still leery.
I looked on Google for dog ramp and come up with hundreds of ideas.

Here... I'll Google that for you...
Dog Ramp

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by Trawlerphil

After having two mini-dachshunds, I can tell you that they are playing you like a juice harp. Leave a large piece of Bacon 6" in from the top step and watch....

Exactly! I know us humans do crazy things to spoil our pets, but placing ramps on stairs seems to create a safety hazard for the older humans also living in the RV and using the stairs.
I would rethink this before YOU take a tumble.

[Wayfaring Stranger]

Originally Posted by boogiejack75

Hopefully these pictures loaded. Ramp is made of steel angle that is connected with all-thread and jam nuts. Luan decking attached to angle with carriage bolts. The lip at the top is a piece of light gauge sheet metal (18 ga??) covered with speaker cloth. Industrial velcro secures it to the floor at the top. Sandpaper-like sticky backed sheet covering the luan decking. DW made me put the wooden rungs on. Don't think they help, but she's happy. Maybe this will give you some ideas.

You gave me some good ideas. Ours turned out looking a lot like yours. The first version had low pile carpet and the dogs slid down the ramp, so we added a layer of thicker carpet. They are nervous, but learning to use it.

[Villagerjjm]

YUP!!! I gave up on the ramp idea and just lift my dog into both the trailer and my tow vehicle... saves a lot of time and aggravation!!!

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by jkoenig24

Have you considered a mini trebuchet?

I had to look that up. Funny but hopefully no one thinks you are serious.

[Sammici]

I bought this fancy ramp for my senior Goldens and they refused to use it, no matter how many treats to train them!

https://www.chewy.com/petsafe-happy-...g-dog/dp/53677

[cincia]

I used a ramp for my doxy. It was on the steps leading off the deck to the backyard but the idea is the same. You are on the right idea using the thicker carpet. I tried several different surfaces before I found one that my dog liked. I ended up with a soft rubber (like a yoga mat) stuff that her feet could grip onto. It may take some time for them to get used to it. My doxy didn't like it at first but I used treats to get her to walk up and down (she didn't like walking down and that took longer to train) and by the end of the summer she used the ramp exclusively. My ramp was wider than yours so maybe consider a small "railing" of some kind on the open side to make them feel safer. good luck.

[Wayfaring Stranger]

Originally Posted by cincia

I used a ramp for my doxy. It was on the steps leading off the deck to the backyard but the idea is the same. You are on the right idea using the thicker carpet. I tried several different surfaces before I found one that my dog liked. I ended up with a soft rubber (like a yoga mat) stuff that her feet could grip onto. It may take some time for them to get used to it. My doxy didn't like it at first but I used treats to get her to walk up and down (she didn't like walking down and that took longer to train) and by the end of the summer she used the ramp exclusively. My ramp was wider than yours so maybe consider a small "railing" of some kind on the open side to make them feel safer. good luck.

The bigger dog is sticking to the steps, even though he can only handle two of the three and often tumbles down on the last one. The smaller dog is using the ramp going down the steps, but she hesitates using it going up. We have talked about using a soft rubber like you suggested. It sort of depends on whether the small dog adapts to the carpeted ramp.