Doggie- lovers: what do dogs like? Ramp or step?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the best method for helping a dog, specifically a larger breed, enter a vehicle safely. Participants explore the options of using a ramp versus steps, considering factors such as the dog's comfort, safety, and ease of use. The conversation includes personal experiences and suggestions for designs and materials.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that ramps may not be preferred by all dogs, indicating variability in dog behavior.
  • One participant proposes a carpeted ramp to enhance grip and confidence for the dog while using it.
  • Another shares a personal experience of building a ramp for a dog with hip problems, noting that it was effective but may be too large for transport.
  • Several participants mention that steps might be simpler but could be too small for larger dogs, and that dogs may need training to use either option effectively.
  • Options for ramp designs, including a telescoping ramp, are discussed as a way to adjust the length based on the dog's needs.
  • Some participants emphasize the importance of considering the dog's age and previous training when deciding between ramps and steps.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on whether ramps or steps are better for dogs, with no consensus reached. There are multiple competing views on the effectiveness and preference of each option.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that different dogs may have varying preferences and abilities, and that training may be necessary for either method to be effective. The discussion also highlights the importance of safety and comfort for the dog.

Who May Find This Useful

Dog owners, particularly those with larger breeds or older dogs, may find this discussion relevant as they consider options for helping their pets enter vehicles safely.

DaveC426913
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TL;DR
I want to build something to help my poor stumpy-legged dog into the hatch of my car.
This is Luna. She is a 50lb. "Giant" Black Spitz on the outside, though - according to genetic testing - almost entirely German Shepherd on the inside.
She's about nine or eleven now.
Luna wallpaper.jpg


She is juuuuust too short to be able to jump into hatch of my Dodge Journey (where the cage is in the back). I will be transporting her a lot more in the near future and I'd like to ensure it goes safely and without potential injury.

I could, perhaps, being her in through a side door it the back, but that leads to safety/control complications . Back hatch is better - easier to access the cage and leash her.

Which would be better for a dog? A ramp? Or just a step? What do they prefer?

The portable cage itself is about four feet long, so that will inform my dimensions, so I can slap the lift-er-up-er of-choice to the cage for compact storage.

I'm not sure if a 2.5' rise over 4' would be shallow enough, so I could double the length of the ramp to about 8' with a hinged arrangement.

1744505933819.png



Details such as the hinge, attachment points and anti-slip strips/frets(?), etc. can hashed out later.


On the other hand, maybe a step stool is just simpler and more readily available ...
 

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Some dogs seem to not like the ramp:

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Or maybe try a 2-in-1 design:

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TIL I am not the first dog-owner in the world to want a way to get their pet into their vehicle ...

I feel a bit silly... :sorry:
 
jack action said:
Some dogs seem to not like the ramp:
Yes. This I have heard. It's what inspired this thread.
 
Have you tried a carpeted ramp? That will make it a lot easier for her to "hold on" going up and down the ramp. It may also help to have small sides on the ramp to increase her confidence when walking up and down the middle of it. I've made wooden motorcycle ramps in the past by ripping a dado down the middle of a couple of 2x4s and gluing them to the edges of a plywood ramp (forming a basic "I" beam). If you did something similar and tacked some carpet on the top surface, that might make a nice comfortable ramp for her.

Edit/Add -- I think that a carpeted ramp can be a fair amount shorter than a plain ramp, since she can hold on while going up and down the steeper ramp. That should help to fit it in your car.
 
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We had a dog that eventually had extreme hip problems (part pit bull), so she could not deal with stairs well. I made her a ramp out of a sheet of plywood (~ 8 feet by 2.5 feet) with carpet on it so she could go in and out the back door unaided (about 4 steps). This worked great, but is probably too large to carry around in your car. We would just pick her up to get her (~80 lbs) in the car.
 
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BillTre said:
a sheet of plywood (~ 8 feet by 2.5 feet)... is probably too large to carry around in your car.
The cage is about 4 feet long, so my plan for a ramp is to have it hinge to 4 feet long and I can just throw it in next to / on top of the cage.
 
DaveE said:
Most steps you can buy are a bit too small for larger dogs. Different dogs will have different preferences. They will also likely need to be trained a bit to use them easily before you can really tell. Here are some of the most common solutions I see at dog trials.
https://www.chewy.com/petsafe-happy-ride-telescoping-dog/dp/53679
https://www.chewy.com/heininger-portablepet-suv-twistep-dog/dp/159071
https://www.chewy.com/heeyoo-foldable-dog-car-stairs/dp/1825166

There are lots of choices
Thanks, This is a great array of options. Hadn't even thought of using the tow hitch.
 
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  • #10
She's a bit older.. Ramp use will take some training while steps might seem more obvious.
 
  • #11
Cepacia said:
She's a bit older.. Ramp use will take some training while steps might seem more obvious.
Yeah, we took her for some agility training a few years ago, where she learns to navigate an obstacle course, including ramps. Hopefully she hasnt forgotten everything.
 
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  • #12
BillTre said:
This worked great, but is probably too large to carry around in your car. We would just pick her up to get her (~80 lbs) in the car.
Why not try a number of ramp lengths or even a telescopic arrangement, to vary the length and find the shortest ramp that doggie could manage. An experiment involving doggie treats could be arranged.