Has anyone ever made a dog ramp? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

TinyBit · 06-26-2007, 04:02 AM

My sister made steps for her chihuahua's like the as-seen-on tv kind. She says they work great. Duke used a phone book to get on a stool then he got on my cedar chest then the bed. Pretty smart. but I might have to get steps for the next little guy/girl. Let me know if anyone has plans.

linm · 06-26-2007, 06:16 AM

About 10 years ago, we bought a bed that was really high. My Min-Pin had a bad back and we didn't want her jumping so I designed a Japanese 'Tansu' chest to go at the foot of the bed and a friend built it for me.

Later, the same dog had problems getting up on the couch. I had seen foam steps in the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog but they were really expensive, so I figured out what size steps I needed and went to my local foam shop. They cut the foam and glued it together for me and then I covered it with fabric. It was pretty inexpensive, and I ended up with steps that blended in a little better with my room.

I still have both of my 'steps' and now they are in service for my 2 new Yorkies. Sometimes, Cora will stop half way up the foam steps and just curl up right there to go to sleep!

Erin · 06-26-2007, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linm

About 10 years ago, we bought a bed that was really high. My Min-Pin had a bad back and we didn't want her jumping so I designed a Japanese 'Tansu' chest to go at the foot of the bed and a friend built it for me.

Later, the same dog had problems getting up on the couch. I had seen foam steps in the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog but they were really expensive, so I figured out what size steps I needed and went to my local foam shop. They cut the foam and glued it together for me and then I covered it with fabric. It was pretty inexpensive, and I ended up with steps that blended in a little better with my room.

I still have both of my 'steps' and now they are in service for my 2 new Yorkies. Sometimes, Cora will stop half way up the foam steps and just curl up right there to go to sleep!

They have local foam shops?? That's awesome.

I did find some uncovered foam steps on ebay. I should have thought to check ebay, but I haven't had much luck there lately. I might try those. I prefer foam since I'll most likely trip over them! I'll let you know how it works out!

keri1973 · 06-26-2007, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoeybear

These are steps not a ramp, but very cute and I think only $15.99

http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item76077.aspx

I ordered these just the other day... when i get them in i will let yall know how sturdy they are.

keri1973 · 07-02-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoeybear

These are steps not a ramp, but very cute and I think only $15.99

http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item76077.aspx

These are a piece of junk! Do not order them!

Judy in Waco · 07-02-2007, 05:11 PM

Thanks for the info. I assume they fell apart or something?

We took a piece of plywood and stapled/glued carpet scraps to it. It seems to work fine. Nothing fancy, but easy to put away when company comes over.

Erin · 07-02-2007, 05:18 PM

But my mom told me she had some in her basement. My parents have everything in their basement. Anyway...

Here's what I've got so far. If anyone out there is cutting foam - an electric knife is the way to go. We only use ours on Thanksgiving anyway, so it's good to have another use for it.

I'm going to sew a slipcover for these. Sammy LOVED them. We tried some different heights and she was running up and down them. Later when I put them away she peered over the bed and saw they weren't there and gave me a look like "HEY!"

LittleFurbabies · 07-02-2007, 05:20 PM

we just got really cheap stairs from target for $20. No 'real' assembly required, just snap some stuff in place and place this furry cover over it. They're about a foot tall. Before I bought the stairs, I just used Peekaboo's old cage/crate thing with a blanket covering it, for him to jump up on.

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...sin=B000E8HQ9Q

Target users gave it good ratings too lol.

LittleFurbabies · 07-02-2007, 05:23 PM

wait lol, there's only 2 ratings that I didnt actually read, but I like them. The stairs are kind of short compared to the bed but Peeka has no problem jumping from the last one to the bed.

Erin · 07-02-2007, 05:25 PM

Those would be OK for getting on our couch, but our bed is 30" high. What I've discovered is that once you need over 12 inches the pre-made ones get really expensive.

Judy in Waco · 07-02-2007, 06:34 PM

Don't make the same mistake I did! LOL Check out this link

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83915

I'm sure the foam will be great! My "ramp" is a little too short for the bed! Gizmo looked like he was mountain climbing, but the board with carpet works well as a ramp for the couch. The only thing...

..use different fabric from your carpet! I can't tell you how many times I've stumbled on it since it's camoflaged so well.

Judy in Waco · 07-02-2007, 06:39 PM

Reading Shanna's suggestion on the other thread reminded me! I put a basket of laundry by the couch one day and Gizmo used that with no problem. The next day when it was a little less full, he fell further than he intended. I heard this little "yip!" and found him looking at me from inside the basket. I thought it was funny AFTER I made sure he was okay!

Erin · 07-02-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judy in Waco

Reading Shanna's suggestion on the other thread reminded me! I put a basket of laundry by the couch one day and Gizmo used that with no problem. The next day when it was a little less full, he fell further than he intended. I heard this little "yip!" and found him looking at me from inside the basket. I thought it was funny AFTER I made sure he was okay!

Aww!!!

Sammy yips for attention when she is in her crate, but she will happily nap in the bottom of a laundry basket...

I liked Shana's suggestion of the ottoman from Target. Those cube ones are perfect, and everything is on sale right now with all the college stuff coming out. Last year I found lots of fun potential dog stuff in with the college stuff. Loki got an AWESOME floor pillow that is his favorite bed.

06-26-2007, 04:02 AM	#16
TinyBit It's a Yorkie Thing Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Walton KS Posts: 1,529 Blog Entries: 1	My sister made steps for her chihuahua's like the as-seen-on tv kind. She says they work great. Duke used a phone book to get on a stool then he got on my cedar chest then the bed. Pretty smart. but I might have to get steps for the next little guy/girl. Let me know if anyone has plans. __________________ Loving Gizmo, Teddy, Duchess,and Faith : In Memory of My Duke of York 7-24-06 ~6-21-07 and Victorian Lacie Pearl 3-1-07 ~ 4-22-11

07-02-2007, 05:11 PM	#21
Judy in Waco Gizzy & Kandi spoil me Donating Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 8,477	Thanks for the info. I assume they fell apart or something? We took a piece of plywood and stapled/glued carpet scraps to it. It seems to work fine. Nothing fancy, but easy to put away when company comes over. __________________ The fullness of our heart is expressed in our eyes, in our touch, in what we write, in what we say, in the way we walk, the way we receive, the way we need. -Mother Teresa ( RIP Gizmo 3/9/07-8/18/12)

07-02-2007, 05:18 PM	#22
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	Well, I was going to BUY foam... But my mom told me she had some in her basement. My parents have everything in their basement. Anyway... Here's what I've got so far. If anyone out there is cutting foam - an electric knife is the way to go. We only use ours on Thanksgiving anyway, so it's good to have another use for it. I'm going to sew a slipcover for these. Sammy LOVED them. We tried some different heights and she was running up and down them. Later when I put them away she peered over the bed and saw they weren't there and gave me a look like "HEY!" Attached Thumbnails __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

07-02-2007, 05:25 PM	#25
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	Those would be OK for getting on our couch, but our bed is 30" high. What I've discovered is that once you need over 12 inches the pre-made ones get really expensive. __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

07-02-2007, 06:34 PM	#26
Judy in Waco Gizzy & Kandi spoil me Donating Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 8,477	Don't make the same mistake I did! LOL Check out this link http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83915 I'm sure the foam will be great! My "ramp" is a little too short for the bed! Gizmo looked like he was mountain climbing, but the board with carpet works well as a ramp for the couch. The only thing... ..use different fabric from your carpet! I can't tell you how many times I've stumbled on it since it's camoflaged so well. __________________ The fullness of our heart is expressed in our eyes, in our touch, in what we write, in what we say, in the way we walk, the way we receive, the way we need. -Mother Teresa ( RIP Gizmo 3/9/07-8/18/12)

06-26-2007, 06:16 AM	#17
linm Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 130	About 10 years ago, we bought a bed that was really high. My Min-Pin had a bad back and we didn't want her jumping so I designed a Japanese 'Tansu' chest to go at the foot of the bed and a friend built it for me. Later, the same dog had problems getting up on the couch. I had seen foam steps in the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog but they were really expensive, so I figured out what size steps I needed and went to my local foam shop. They cut the foam and glued it together for me and then I covered it with fabric. It was pretty inexpensive, and I ended up with steps that blended in a little better with my room. I still have both of my 'steps' and now they are in service for my 2 new Yorkies. Sometimes, Cora will stop half way up the foam steps and just curl up right there to go to sleep!

07-02-2007, 05:20 PM	#23
LittleFurbabies YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 262	we just got really cheap stairs from target for $20. No 'real' assembly required, just snap some stuff in place and place this furry cover over it. They're about a foot tall. Before I bought the stairs, I just used Peekaboo's old cage/crate thing with a blanket covering it, for him to jump up on. http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...sin=B000E8HQ9Q Target users gave it good ratings too lol.

07-02-2007, 05:23 PM	#24
LittleFurbabies YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 262	wait lol, there's only 2 ratings that I didnt actually read, but I like them. The stairs are kind of short compared to the bed but Peeka has no problem jumping from the last one to the bed.

07-02-2007, 06:39 PM	#27
Judy in Waco Gizzy & Kandi spoil me Donating Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 8,477	Reading Shanna's suggestion on the other thread reminded me! I put a basket of laundry by the couch one day and Gizmo used that with no problem. The next day when it was a little less full, he fell further than he intended. I heard this little "yip!" and found him looking at me from inside the basket. I thought it was funny AFTER I made sure he was okay! __________________ The fullness of our heart is expressed in our eyes, in our touch, in what we write, in what we say, in the way we walk, the way we receive, the way we need. -Mother Teresa ( RIP Gizmo 3/9/07-8/18/12)