Help-need doggie ramp!!!!

[Frankie's Mommy]

My young-un,Frankie, has decided to start jumping off of our bed. I know this is very common but I am very concerned. Our bed is high and he hits the hardwood floor and sometimes rolls because he can't land on his feet from that far. For my own piece of mind, I would like a dog ramp, but where can you find affordable ones??? A lot of websites state that theirs' are affordable , but to me $200 for one is out of the question. Anyone got any ideas or know of where I can purchase a used one????? Thanks, Erica

[Jean]

Hi Erica,

You can find instructions for building your own ramp at http://www.dallas.net/~srwatson/ramp/ramp.html

Jean

[pkmiddler]

They just had 2 differant kinds on sale in the Foster & Smith catolog I'm sure you can find one to work there.Do not know their site address tho.Can someone help?

[Susan'sFreddie98]

www.drsfostersmith.com (http://www.drsfostersmith.com)

~Susan~

<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Susan'sFreddie98 on March 02, 2001 at 02:31 AM</font>

[Meemoo]

Here's another site you may find useful. www.bedderbacks.com (http://www.bedderbacks.com)

Loren

[Krista]

You could make one fairly easily with some partical board/plywood and a rubber mat, or carpet remnant.

Have two triangles cut:1 side is the height of the bed, one side is the length of the end of the bed, the other side connects the two.

The you'll need two boards cut as wide as you want the ramp to be -one should be cut as long as the bed height. It would be nailed to the sides of the triangles that are the height of the bed for support.

The other piece of board should be as wide as you want the ramp and as long as the longest side of the triangle. It would be nailed on top of the triangle's longest side to form the walking surface of the ramp. You cover it with something that has traction like carpet, or textured rubber matting...etc. It might not be the prettiest thing, but it would work.

Just a thought...

Anyone that has the time and money could use the same principle to make one that matches their bedroom decor, by upholstering the frame or using good wood and staining/painting it.

[Oscar's Mom]

I agree with Krista, try to make one yourself. The prices seems high for a ramp.

[Cathy]

Erica,

My husband and I made a ramp for Maximus just by using a long 2X6 board. We cut a piece as long as we wanted the ramp to be and just continued to cut shorter and shorter pieces, stacking them up, keeping one side flush and nailed them together. We then covered it with carpet. It works great, and Max now runs up and down it. It doesn't have sides, but he doesn't seem to need them. Hope this helps, and it sure beats $100 or $200<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm42.gif" border=0>

[LisaH]

What about using a footstool or ottoman? We have a footstool by the sofa for Annie to use.

[dutchman]

Just a couple of comments/ideas on ramps. First off I'm not a ramp user so keep that in mind. I just got a catalog in the mail yesterday from New England Serum Company they have a web site www.NESerum.com (http://www.NESerum.com) and list a less expensive ready made ramp for small dogs. It's $64.88 plus shipping. The problem is while they state that it is is for smaller dogs to aid in getting in and our of cars, vans, and beds they don't give any dimensions on it. It only weighs 8 pounds and can hold 500.

As far as building your own ramps. That can be a good idea and when I had Aggie I built a ramp out of 1x8 lumber covering it with carpet which I placed along one side of my basement stairs since she was afraid of stairs but often wanted to join me in the basement. The ramp which just sits on top of the stairs is too steep for any either Aggie, Frank or tanner to feel comfortable using it. When ever I try placing one of the dogs on it they go rigid arch their backs which become stiff. It requires a great deal of effort to keep them from jumping off the side on the stairs. No amount of food bribes even with the best liver treats will get them to use the ramp. I figure since they exhibit so much stress on the ramp it may be harder on their backs to keep attempting to force them to use it than it is to just let them use the stairs. Aggie would go up the stairs on her own. Both Frank and Tanner will zoom up or down the stairs if left to their own.

Tom

[Frankie's Mommy]

Just wanted to let everybody know that at Walmart I picked up a ladder stool. Frankie was a little apprehensive about using it because its not quite wide enough to land on it with all four feet ( you know, the too long torso thing). but with lots of encouragement and praise, he now can jump up and off my bed on his own. I'm still planning on building him a ramp in the future but this will do for now. Thanks for all your suggestions, Erica

[Heidismom]

Just a thought - do shoe stores going out of business, or remodelling, ever sell those little stools with the padded cushion on top with the partial ramp? I would like to give it a try if I thought I could find one (or maybe talk a carpenter into building something similar), Heidi, Gretl, and Siglen's mom, Julia