Ramps

When I was looking for ramps for my two mini doxies I ran into two issues. The first was finding them in the heights I needed and the second was cost. I found a man on ebay who makes ramps that are very sturdy but still light enough to move around without straining. They are very well made and fully carpeted (he offers multiple colors). I ordered the first one to see what the quality was like and was so pleased we immediately purchased another. We have one in our living room so my pups can get on & off the couch and another at the end of our bed. The ramps shipped quickly for both my orders and the seller emailed several times to make sure I was getting what I needed. These are a very affordable - I'll likely add at least one more when we return to the U.S. - unfortunately they can't be shipped APO/FPO. We've had our ramps for 2 years now and they are still in perfect condition with constant daily use.

www.ebay.com/usr/topdogsteps

Regards,
Julie

Has anyone used Pet Studio brand RampStairs? They are stairs that turn into a ramp, which I want to get first because I'm not sure what my dog will use more or like better once he's recovered. I like how wide and deep the treads appear, compared to most steps that I see, if I even use them as stairs, hopefully he'll like the ramp better.

The trouble I have most with my dog is that he's a large frenchie, 30 lbs, and a lot of the pet ramp/stairs are just too small. And then the stuff geared to large/old arthritic dogs are just too big!

I have the Animal Planet pet stairs from Bed Bath and Beyond that I got years ago that my dog used before surgery. They are kind of dinky, but he uses them so I don't want to get rid of them. I'm also worried about the foam ramps because my dog is weird about soft/unstable surfaces and also tends to chew on soft things.

Hello! I have not posted on dodgers list for a long time. I'll give an update on my little Chloe in another thread, but regarding ramps, I will never buy another ramp with that sandpaper-like material where the dog walks. Chloe kept having trouble scraping her paw pads and I couldn't figure out how for the life of me. She had to see the vet twice for it. One day, I brushed the back of my hand over the rough material to see what would happen and I ended up with a bloody hand. Out went that ramp and in came a molded plastic one with raised treads on it. Much better and she hasn't had a problem since. I do, however, love the idea of the tubing or covered ramps because it prevents them from falling off the sides.~Melanie in NJ

Can you or even the moderator provide the information on how to contact any of the persons who makes the ramps for the dachshunds. I have steps pretty much for the bed, the couches etc.. but now that my Tuckers in getting better day by day, I think it would be wise to replace them with inside ramps instead. I also feel it would be preventive so that my other baby, Bear as well Tucker, doesn't have any problems in the future. I still as their human roommate need to learn a lot more about how smart these little guys can be and sneaky about trying to jump off of things. I know I have a long way to go with treating tucker in his healing, but I believe he will overcome his injuries; god willing!

Just as an FYI I did purchase the foam ramp from ebay that is posted above  
www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Foam-Dog-Cat-Pet-Ramp-GE12-/360393266126?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e91cd3ce#ht_867wt_801 [Foam Guys]
16"H x 14"W x 28"D

 If none are showing available, just message them and they will post one for you It is a bit steep, but our IVDD girl can use it compared to the steps we had Quick shipping too!

Regarding Butch & Max's 14" diameter corrogated tunnel from the porch - - where does one purchase this tunnel material?  I have been shopping local hardware stores etc. on-line this morning to price this but so far have not found one that carries it - love the idea, tho.  Any info on where you can obtain the the 14" diameter corrogated pipe would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Thank you! I also found something similar on-line, but the cost is more than I can do at this point. I am building one ramp for indoors that is plywood with carpet glued on top, and it attaches to the top of two heavy duty milk crates (glued together). This was so hubby could sit on the milk crate(it is padded)as the ramp will replace the stool he sits on now. I still need to put a support from the end of the ramp to the bottom of the crates to complete the triangle and make it more stable. The other sticking point is that Spart's brother the chiweenie (who has no back problems) will fly right over this if I don't put a furniture blocker or some kind of railing on the side, so I am still considering options for that.

Some helpful items

Great little gadget for keeping track of when you have dispensed meds. It "time stamps" the last time
you did and also, allows for alarms to be set.
www.amazon.com/dp/B004W8EQC4/ref=sr_rp_1_a_it?m=AMQLGT88G08LK&ie=UTF8&qid=1458407301&sr=sr-1&keywords=e+pill+dispenser

I also kept a daily list which shows when the meds were given, any events that caused concern and a "0" "-" "+" rating for each day based on how she was feeling. This helped to provide patterns and also let me see how much more quickly she was bouncing back from bad days.

Because I have fence reactive dogs as neighbors, who set mine off...I purchased this screening, doubled it with heavy duty lawn and leaf bags in between and staple gunned it to the fence to block the view.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IJQER06?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

I used Composite Rib Corrugated Rubber Floor Mats. to make the backyard ramp that was built (and any other areas of concern). Great product to prevent slipping:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ASCSJW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00&tag=viglink20248-20

For areas where I want the floor cushioned and where she doesn't want to use a bed, I use these. Her favorite sleeping area is one of these, doubled.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AKFSJZ8psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

For the one step leading out to my sunroom, I purchased Silver Spring Aluminum Adjustable Solid Threshold Ramp - 400 lb Capacity...lined the top with non-slip rubber matting and then I also added a sideboard of styrofoam (to prevent her from jumping over the side...they do love to jump over the sides).
www.discountramps.com/threshold-ramp/p/ATR400/?CID=PSC-PLA-Google-ATR400-solid-and-threshold-ramps&st-t=google-solid-and-threshold-ramps&vt-pti=138603114022&vt-k=&vt-m=&CAWELAID=820562990000010447&CAGPSPN=pla&gclid=CJS945qjzcsCFZUjgQodQRgN8A

Hi Emily,
I haven't been on the forum for a very long time, but thought I would check in because I received an email notification that something was posted on this thread. As someone who has a doxie who has undergone 2 surgeries ( both fully successful, thank goodness) I wouldn't take any chances letting yours go up and down any steps. My advice if you can't get a ramp is to carry your little one up and down the steps and be very strict about it to the point that if you have to get a barrier at the bottom so she doesn't try to jump up on them to,go back in, do ot, and definitely don't open up the door to go out before she's in your arms.

The only other thing you could maybe do is have the ramp ready for her and then move it away when you go down the steps, then put it back into place although that would be a pain on your back after a few times. So I think just carrying your doxie is the easiest solution. Mine has a ramp down 2 steps on our back deck and never does stairs indoors. She is carried. It's just not worth the agony they go through. And I'm sure you are always carrying your dog while it's recovering. ( I didn't know if yiu were presently having an issue or if crate rest was over yet.) I'm so sorry Imdon't have a better solution.
I hope your little girl is well soon'

Melanie

Obi and Oden are learning to use their new ramp! 
My friend constructed it out of scrap wood and we painted it and secured a nice yoga mat material for no slip traction. Works excellent and not too steep or narrow.

Youtube video shows below unless Youtube is currently down:

Hi everyone! I just saw this product and had to share. Designed by an IVDD dad. It looks fantastic and well designed. DoggoRamp 

Prices:


/all

Youtube video:

 

I was just looking at stuff for gretta from Sausage Dog Central. I almost always check for coupon codes before checking out anywhere online and found a 15% off code on their FB page ("snapchat" without the quotes is the code). There's no rails, and I'm not sure when the code expires, but since it was there I went ahead and grabbed the "lite" version for the living room. Free shipping in the US was nice, too. 

What I use to prevent jumping off the side of the ramp is a metal folding fireplace screen.

Found one at a thrift shop. Or they're available online.

Works great!!

My husband and I looked at all the available ramps and after some consideration decided to go with a company called Dog Quality. They cater to senior dogs and have some pretty great products besides the ramp.

You can view the ramp here: dogquality.com/collections/dog-ramps


I liked it because it seemed really stable and sturdy. I have 3 senior doxies that don't act like they are seniors at all so I really needed something that would keep them safe and give them enough room so if they decided to go up two at a time (which they tend to do and/or compete for 1st to the bed) that the ramp wouldn't move at all. This ramp can be used for dogs up to 120lbs so I liked that option. It's supposed to be here on January 10th so I'll let you know how it goes but I'm super excited about this ramp.

I emailed myself the 15% off coupon so it only cost 212 and some change which made it slightly more affordable.

In regards to the Dog Quality Ramp called, Gentle Rise™ Dog Bed Ramp...I absolutely love it!! What I loved most about this ramp is that it's so sturdy and though I try not to step on it, it will hold my weight. Our bedroom is so tiny so I have a limited amount of space so now it's mostly taken up by my bed, dressers, and the ramp but my dogs are all using it with no issues. I know they are presently out of stock but when they restock, I would highly recommend this over the others unless you need an adjustable one. This one measures 28" in height which worked out perfect for our bed.

Originally, when I received this ramp, UPS delivered it completely destroyed and I was heartbroken but the company was phenomenal in replacing every part that was damaged. I told them I didn't really care about parts that had slight nicks but they wanted to replace every part so I basically got another whole ramp for free. I sent them all the pictures from when I received it because, seriously, UPS looked like they had completely damaged the box and ramp with pieces of legs sticking out and then just decided to put packing tape all around it to hold it in place...LOL it was crazy looking.

So for the same amount of money as some of the other ramps I've seen commercially, this one, in my opinion, is by far superior.