Steps for Dogs

alcam

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Van bed is a bit high for my oldish dog .
Just wondering if anyone has come up with their own solution to this problem or can recommend one of the many commercial products available ? Bed is 75cm high .
 
I bought a ramp a few year back with a view for our dog to use for him to access rear fixed bed, ramp is too steep to be practical, so not used and stored in my man cave. If you want to try it, and it works for your dog, you can have it FOC.

Ps, I bought it at lidl.
 
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runnach said:
I bought a ramp a few year back with a view for our dog to use for him to access rear fixed bed, ramp is too steep to be practical, so not used and stored in my man cave. If you want to try it, and it works for your dog, you can have it FOC.

Ps, I bought it at lidl.
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Thanks but have looked at ramps and , as you say , probably too steep
 
I feel for you, it's so hard when they struggle. We had to come up with a solution for our old Staffy who died aged 15 in 2023. In the house we had big footstools next to all the sofas and our bed (some with the legs cut down to make them exactly half the height of the "big step". In the motorhome, he used a plastic ramp form Lidl or Aldi to get in and out. We put carpet tiles on it so it wasn't too slippery. We used to put it up to the top omni-step, then he could get up/down the last step himself (it was too steep if we put it from the ground into the van). Inside the motorhome, we used a low folding camping table from Go Outdoors or Decathlon. It was about a foot high. We put carpet tiles on the top and had to fit an aluminium strip along the bottom of the legs to stabilise it fully but still maintain the folding mechanism. It worked great until he was really ancient and needed to be lifted on and off things. My advice, think outside the box - there are lots of folding things that you can repurpose. It might give you an excuse for a trip to IKEA!!
 
alcam said:
Van bed is a bit high for my oldish dog .
Just wondering if anyone has come up with their own solution to this problem or can recommend one of the many commercial products available ? Bed is 75cm high .
Click to expand...
How are your beds layed out longitudinal or across the van ? A friend who had his bed running front to back in the van removed the central section and built a 6ft ramp for the dag to walk up the full length of bed .
Could you use some cupboard space to make smaller easier steps
 
There are plenty of dog steps but nothing anywhere near that high. Most of them are crap anyway, so I made my own but it was only needed to get the elderly Pugs on to the sofa.

It might be easier to make up a dog bed at low level.
 
would these ramps work if they had thin wooden strips fixed at intervals ? give their claws some purchase
 
Wheelie said:
I feel for you, it's so hard when they struggle. We had to come up with a solution for our old Staffy who died aged 15 in 2023. In the house we had big footstools next to all the sofas and our bed (some with the legs cut down to make them exactly half the height of the "big step". In the motorhome, he used a plastic ramp form Lidl or Aldi to get in and out. We put carpet tiles on it so it wasn't too slippery. We used to put it up to the top omni-step, then he could get up/down the last step himself (it was too steep if we put it from the ground into the van). Inside the motorhome, we used a low folding camping table from Go Outdoors or Decathlon. It was about a foot high. We put carpet tiles on the top and had to fit an aluminium strip along the bottom of the legs to stabilise it fully but still maintain the folding mechanism. It worked great until he was really ancient and needed to be lifted on and off things. My advice, think outside the box - there are lots of folding things that you can repurpose. It might give you an excuse for a trip to IKEA!!
Click to expand...
Yes wandered round yesterday
 
We bought a ramp for Bracken, the daft bugger used to jump off it and end in a heap on the floor.
First time we tried to get her to walk up the thing it was if we were asking her to fornicate with the Devil - no way was she putting her paws on it.
 
How big is your dog? Sometimes just lifting them is the easiest solution.
 
I built a step for my daughters dog so he could get into the back of the car easier after he'd had a leg amputated, just a piece of 1/2 ply with 4 folding legs, I carpet tiled the top so it wasn't skiddy for him. It worked really well. Locking/Folding leg hinges on amazon.
Depending on your van layout and skills you could probably make it fold down with just 2 legs similar to this but smaller obvs.
 
Jo001 said:
How big is your dog? Sometimes just lifting them is the easiest solution.
Click to expand...
You may be right , she is only 19kg . Slight problem , being a hound , its like picking up a bundle of loose sticks !
 
merl said:
I built a step for my daughters dog so he could get into the back of the car easier after he'd had a leg amputated, just a piece of 1/2 ply with 4 folding legs, I carpet tiled the top so it wasn't skiddy for him. It worked really well. Locking/Folding leg hinges on amazon.
Depending on your van layout and skills you could probably make it fold down with just 2 legs similar to this but smaller obvs.
Click to expand...
Have looked at diy solutions . Actually thinking of trying a suitably sized plastic storage box , carpet tiles stuck on , which would lift her up high enough to just have a small leap onto bed.
It can slide under bed when not in use
 
I made a platform so the Whippets could get on to the rear fixed bed. It was clipped on to the top step that came with the van. The top was hinged so that there was still access to the fridge when it was in place. At other times it could be folded and put to one side out of the way.

I probably still have it in the garage somewhere as I rarely chuck anything out.
 
alcam said:
Van bed is a bit high for my oldish dog .
Just wondering if anyone has come up with their own solution to this problem or can recommend one of the many commercial products available ? Bed is 75cm high .
Click to expand...
Check this link out and see if it is suitable for you

www.diy.com

PawHut Four-Step Portable Dog Stairs with Washable Plush Cover, for Small Pets

It has never been easier for pets to reach their favourite spot, thanks to these PawHut pet stairs. Four wide steps for gentle support, it spares their back and joints from any harm. Ideal for ageing companions and those with limited mobility, they'll feel the soft, warm flannel material on...
www.diy.com
 
alcam said:
Van bed is a bit high for my oldish dog .
Just wondering if anyone has come up with their own solution to this problem or can recommend one of the many commercial products available ? Bed is 75cm high .
Click to expand...
www.diy.com

PawHut Four-Step Portable Dog Stairs with Washable Plush Cover, for Small Pets

It has never been easier for pets to reach their favourite spot, thanks to these PawHut pet stairs. Four wide steps for gentle support, it spares their back and joints from any harm. Ideal for ageing companions and those with limited mobility, they'll feel the soft, warm flannel material on...
www.diy.com

Have a look at this link
 
Thanks for all advice and generous offers . I have a couple of ideas in mind . Will report back
 
alcam said:
Have looked at diy solutions . Actually thinking of trying a suitably sized plastic storage box , carpet tiles stuck on , which would lift her up high enough to just have a small leap onto bed.
It can slide under bed when not in use
Click to expand...
Look at you showing off with your room for an unused storage box! No room for a spare box of matches in ours!
 
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