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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,064
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

We have two dachshunds and they use carpeted stairs designed for cats.  They needed no break in period and this is still one of my better Home Goods purchases.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,024
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

The steep incline of either the steps or a ramp to get into an SUV is going to be hard on the hind end.  I got a mini van and even took the seats out for the crates.  Much lower to the ground and so much easier for my old girl to get in and out of the car.

Someday, when scientists discover the center of the Universe....some people will be disappointed it is not them.
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,631
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@drizzellla 

 

We had a 140 lb. (all muscle--a big boy!) rough collie who developed severe arthritis in his back legs. We did the ramp to the side door because he had enough power in his front legs to climb it. 

 

DH built it, however, because we needed a longer one so that it wasn't as steep an angle as many of the ramps available online or in stores are.  If the angle is too steep, it can be a nightmare for the dog. 

 

Steps are OK, too, but if your collie may develop issues in the front legs, they won't work as well.  We have a cat with severe arthritis in her right shoulder and knee, and she has a horrible time with climbing long stairs, but she can handle the little prefab ones (in hard plastic, not those things that are carpet on top of a flimsy frame).


Good luck and best wishes for your pup!

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,405
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

@Sammycat1 wrote:

@drizzellla 

 

We had a 140 lb. (all muscle--a big boy!) rough collie who developed severe arthritis in his back legs. We did the ramp to the side door because he had enough power in his front legs to climb it. 

 

DH built it, however, because we needed a longer one so that it wasn't as steep an angle as many of the ramps available online or in stores are.  If the angle is too steep, it can be a nightmare for the dog. 

 

Steps are OK, too, but if your collie may develop issues in the front legs, they won't work as well.  We have a cat with severe arthritis in her right shoulder and knee, and she has a horrible time with climbing long stairs, but she can handle the little prefab ones (in hard plastic, not those things that are carpet on top of a flimsy frame).


Good luck and best wishes for your pup!

 

 


Sammycat1 - WOW! 140 pounds! What a collie!

That is what makes me leery of the ramp. It seems so steep. Not sure he has the strength to pull himself up such a steep incline.

 

Not sure his front legs will be able to compensate for his weaker hind legs up a ramp. So far I only noticed the hind legs losing strength. My husband used to take him for 3-4 mile walks in the park every morning. But the dog does not want to walk anymore. He likes to just stand outside. 

 

We have taken him numerous times to the Vet. They said there isn't anything they can do except give him pills for comfort. He was a rescue so we have no idea how long he had Lyme disease. But he seems to think he is part of the family (he is). Whatever we eat. He wants to eat. And wherever we go in the car he wants to go too. 

 

I hate to leave him home. 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,328
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

How about a sling to help him up.  

Esteemed Contributor
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Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@drizzellla 

 

 Yes, he was a big boy!  He was classed "extra large" by the AKC.  I put a pic for you below. We miss him every single day.Smiley Happy

 

Have they tried a drug called "gabapentin" for your pup?  This helps dogs and cats with pain. Works very well in our cat and the dogs at our vet's practice.

 

Your love for your dog shines through your words. Maybe your DH can get a long, decent thickness of wood to try for the ramp.  And buy a set of steps that are not too steep....then compare.

 

it's heartbreaking when they can't walk the way they used to, the way they long to do.  We live and I work on the Gettysburg battlefield, and that was our collie's favorite walkfest.  There were woods, open fields, rock walls, streams and enough squirrel butts to sniff for eternity.  He savored it all!

 

People would ask, "What kind of dog is that? It's majestic!"  And we'd say, "That's our collie Fergus, our gentle giant." 

 

Hang in there, Dog Mama:

 

Schmoo Fergus five years.jpg

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Registered: ‎09-24-2011

@drizzellla wrote:

@Kachina624:

Yes, the steps do fold. And they are built for dogs up to 100 pounds. But last night he collapsed coming in our back door. He had to climb 3 steps. So that scared me. My son had to pick up his hind end. Not sure if the cold affected him. Because he seems just fine today. He is walking around with no trouble.

Thank you, ladies for recommending that we use treats to train him to use the ramp. He is one picky eater. We finally got him to eat both breakfast and dinner yesterday. We had to use chicken breast, roast beef, hamburger, hot dog and chicken livers. We were so happy that he ate the 2 meals, my husband gave him extra treats. Last night he picked out every treat in his bowl and dropped them on the floor. He didn't eat any. 

I am so glad for everyone's unput. I was thinking that he would need a bit of force to climb the ramp. But I was not thinking of him trying to go down the steps. Now I know why there are so many ramps. I will look into the Weather Tech. 

 


My boy had been paralyzed from a severed spine before I got him.  He'll be 7yrs old this June.  While he can do a few steps (three at backdoor) okay, in the cold weather his hind legs often tend to collapse usually on the second step and I keep my hand near his butt and the other by his side for balance so we get back in the house.

 

 

Before my girl passed - she had metatastic bone cancer which eventually affected her right hock while her front left arm circulation was blocked off from a tumor - I got a super large and heavy ramp from a company in FL.  The ramp didn't work out so I donated it to the ACO.

 

So I say this from my personal experience:  both steps and ramps are impossible or near impossible to line up depending on your vehicle unless you want your furbaby to ride in the cargo area.  I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee and my backseat doors open at an angle (pita) so you can't line up the ramp!  My car doesn't have this feature - never knew they had these - if your pet rides in the front seat you have to have an airbag disabler switch:  the airbag can kill!  Thought about disabling the airbag, but would have to have it enabled annually to get a sticker.

 

And, please remember, the angle of the ramp is of utmost importance since more effort/pressure on rear legs must be used for a higher angle:  if the furbaby walks up the ramp, pressure is exerted on the hind legs; down the ramp, front legs.  So a ramp isn't really effective, depending how bad the problem is.

 

Not trying to be a Debbie-Downer; just wanting to relay what I've learned over the years.

 

OT - I do recommend acupuncture to possibly alleviate some pain.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 32,017
Registered: ‎05-10-2010

My dad had an old dog with spine problem and he had a ramp so that his dog (a big German Shepard) could get up into his van.  He also put a ramp on his house so the dog could go in and out comfortably.  The ramp sounds like a better to me.  

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,407
Registered: ‎09-24-2011

@SeaMaiden wrote:

@deb5555 wrote:

Solvit Lightweight Folding Pet Ramp

Another vote for ramp! Treats work the best for training to go up and down.   

 

 


This is the ramp I bought ... exactly... and my dogs would not go up it no matter what!   Another issue with this ramp is the sandpaper they coat it with... my two big dogs slipped and slid down the ramp.... carpet would have worked better.. the sand paper is very slippery on their nails and does not give the dog any grip.


FYI the ramp I bought was wider with higher sides and carpeted; don't remember the company I bought it from - it was in FL and they made it after I put my order in so took a few weeks to get it here in MA.  It was very well made, but very heavy.

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Registered: ‎03-14-2010

@K9buddy wrote:

How about a sling to help him up.  




Will look into it. Someone in our rescue group had one. It was well made and study. 

 

I just looked slings up. There are many different styles. Thanks will have to check them out further. Will probably need a sling, no matter what ramp I get.

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