I like a ramp for older dogs as my Jilly dislocated her shoulder just jumping down a doggy step when she was 12. I think a ramp might have been more gentle on her joint capsule and surrounding muscles and is far less jarring to the joint. Less force is better for the old joint and orthopedic parts to me. Just walking up/down the ramp doesn't seem to produce as much impactful force on the joint as the jumping from step to step does. I recently bought ramps for Tibbe and he's only 5.
__________________  Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |