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Dog Ramp?

16K views 31 replies 22 participants last post by  DocT 
#1 ·
Hey guys,

I have two large German Shepherds and need a way to get them up into the rear hatch area without breaking my back. Anyone have a recommendation for a good dog ramp?

Thanks in advance!
J
 
#7 ·
Most motorcycle ramps are slats with openings between. Discount Dog Ramps - $59.99 & Up
Good link, thanks!

We use the Solvit telescoping pet ramp to get our Golden Retriever up into the GC. It was bought at Pet Food Express, though I think it is also available at PETCO.

Very light weight. We store it in the back seat area when not in use. Just a note, get your dogs used to it before hand by having them walk on it. The first couple of times, you may have to lead your dogs up the ramp. Our Golden got used to it right away.
Pet Food Express: Solvit Delux Telescoping Pet Ramp
View attachment 24060

My Labrador did not like it at all so the ramp sitting in the garage. The angle is to steep.
Thank God she only 24 kilos and I m still fit to carry her.
The Solvit looks pretty nice... maybe the XL version would work better though since it is longer than the Delux and would give less incline.


I built my own "Ottostep" out of wood.
My hitch is a Draw-Tite which is a little bit lower than factory. The step I built works great, it splits the distance in half for my dogs. They have no problem getting in and out.

Dog step - The travel-easy Otto Step prevents injury to your dog entering a van, truck, or SUV!
Very cool, I like the hitch receiver step idea but one of my dogs is 12 and has trouble with steps these days so that one is probably out as a option.




Thanks for the ideas and quick responses everyone, much appreciated!
 
#4 ·
We use the Solvit telescoping pet ramp to get our Golden Retriever up into the GC. It was bought at Pet Food Express, though I think it is also available at PETCO.

Very light weight. We store it in the back seat area when not in use. Just a note, get your dogs used to it before hand by having them walk on it. The first couple of times, you may have to lead your dogs up the ramp. Our Golden got used to it right away.
Pet Food Express: Solvit Delux Telescoping Pet Ramp
 
#8 ·
I'm surprised! I can't stop my dog from jumping in, ramp or no ramp. Try throwing a chop in the back.
 
#10 ·
Hi
Sorry to hear about your dog. My lab still refuses to go to the boot with any sort of ramp. I bought one and i put it straight to the skip.
I think the best is if you know any joiner/carpenter to make one for you or to
have a dog ramp demonstration with your dog present.
Good luck
 
#11 ·
My dog jumps in and out. However for the times that he's tired or jumping in is a bad idea, I just have him out his front paws up and then lift his butt up and he goes in. It's easier this way as then it feels like I'm only lifting maybe 30 lbs. He weighs 100.


Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
 
#13 ·
Dog ramps? I recon if your dog can't jump into a car, it's time for the needle.:)
 
#20 ·
I take it you didn't read the post of the person who "bumped" this thread, his dog is having acl surgery.

The the person who bumped this thread, sorry to hear about the surgery. Unfortunately for me, my dog has hated every ramp she has tried due to the steep angle, of which may be too steep for your dog now too. So I have resulted in lifting her 85lbs. Maybe see if, like a poster above me mentioned, you can find a craftsman on Craigslist to make one for you.
 
#18 ·
Of course not! We are talking about dogs.
 
#15 ·
I ought get one for my 10 yrs old pit bull/lab. She finally jumps in when she touches hitch... But i don't want see if she happens trip on the hitch and hurts herself. So, time for me to look some homemade solution.

It sure taking me bit hard to see her getting aged and used to be jumpy. Sucks but thats life.
 
#22 ·
Thanks everyone. I got a ramp off of amazon and will see how that works out and let people know in case anyone else has a similar issue. My dog is a 125 lb mastiff, so hes hard to lift. I have an overland, so Im thinking that if I lower it as much as I can, and get the dog used to the ramp before surgery, it may not be as steep.
 
#25 ·
Just an update, I purchased the Mr. Herzhers Pet Ramp from amazon, and it is perfect. Enzo figured out how to use it within 10 minutes. The ramp is telescoping, and closes up very easily. If I have the backseats in the upright position, I can place the closed ramp against it and it stays between the back of the seats and the two metal poles that support the gate I have back there. (I have a travall dog gate, and there are metal poles that go from the hooks already in my cargo area to the gate.) I can still have people in my backseat and it doesn't interfere with the dog in the back. Win/Win
 

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#27 ·
Ottostep.com
Works great for my Golden Retrievers. Slides in the hitch, and very easy to store.
 
#28 · (Edited)
good thread, i gave up on any of the commercially available options and built this - nice thing is that it doubles as a step for me to get to the roof / cargo box etc. i have the whole back seat set up for my dog - have a board with padding over it to extend the seat out over the floor, then keep stuff under the board (jumper cables etc)

gotta keep him healthy and avoid joint issues jumping down! :D
 

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#30 ·
Didn't see this thread before. Had a 10 year old GSD up until 6 mos ago; had, among many other medical issues, arthritic hips (not dysplasia). Got this to use and it worked very well: Dog Steps, Dog Stairs and Dog Ramps from Pet Loader . I got the 5 step, but 4 would be better for my 17 JGC Summit. Just need to have something to protect bumper when you push/rest the top step on the rear cargo compartment.
 
#32 ·
:thumbsup:

Hook47 - Can I ask you about the Dog Loader. I need one for my 4 year old flattie who has arthritis and needs help getting out of the JGC Summit boot. The LiftOver height of the summit is 32.4" so going on Pet Loader guide that would require the 5 step. But you mentioned the 4 would have been better - may I ask why? Would the step not be too deep? Thanks
 
#31 ·
thanks - i wanted something that was small enough to put in the backseat with him (~60lbs mix) but still lets him climb down rather than jump down and put all the stress on his front joints

it's thin plywood with an extra strip glued to the back for rigidity, and the metal bracket is just bracing from home depot/lowes (in the section with the joist hangers etc). I heated that up with a torch then used a 5lb sledge to adjust the angle so it would fit onto the rock rails. had some old hood bumpers from a cj7 i used to own that work to hold it onto the rails.

i didn't even think of it being double duty for the roof until I was testing it out with my weight (solid) and was suddenly 'oh ... well that's handy' :D
 
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