Dog ramp for car advice!

katglasgow

Can anyone recommend dog ramp please? ! I have a 35 kilo large male lab. He has had joint painrecently but is coping well after a fortnight on metacalm and changes to routine. He's only 9 and loves walking / camping / swimming i think as long as it's in moderation he should be fine. We have a pegeot 3008 with large estate boot. Its a very comfortable space for him but it's quite a high up shelf he has to jump into and he's now refusing to do so. He's anyone had a similar problem and found a good solution? I was hoping I might be able to find a ramp that folded up and could be kept in the car. Thanks in advance x

Jenniefour

Yes, there are folding ramps for dogs to get in cars. Do a google search on "dog ramp for car", there are quite a lot of suppliers and you should be able to check the specs re his weight.

katglasgow

I've had a quick look on Amazon thanks. There's a trixie one at 30.00 looks ok from reading the reviews it seems to be main issue is getting a dog to use it so perhaps need to start off using it on the flat then smaller slopes first although my dog is easily bribed for a treat!

katglasgow

It would be good to geT experiences From anyone else who has used one and how they got their dog used to it.

Artytarty

We had a lab red setter X years ago who developed arthritis in her spine.
We had a Volvo estate at the time with a large flat boot.
Our solution was a wide heavy plank covered in old carpet which we just then lifted into the boot behind her. The carpet gave her rip and she wasn't afraid to use it.
Now? I might try one of the light foldaway ones available. I would be confident about getting my current dog to use one should we ever need to.

*Robin*

Coming at the problem from the other direction: Golden Paste is amazing for treating arthritis & other inflammatory conditions - it kept all my old huskies leaping about like pups until they each reached their last day aged 16 - 17 years [no £££ big pharma stuff ever needed].

mac.d

Search the forum as this has been asked before (fairly recently I think).

If you have any problems with a ramp (my dog wouldn't use one), I use stairs for my similar sized and aged Lab, and after climbing up them for a biscuit a couple of times, he now happily uses them. Pet Gear (2 Step) easy step pet stair (I bought it from Pets at Home but its currently not in stock there). He uses the back seat though, not the boot, so maybe the 3 Step one would be a better option, £59 at Pets at Home so I've linked to them here on Amazon where its cheaper. The only negative of the stairs is that they are bulky and don't fold down like a ramp would. They're very sturdy though.

Oh, and a thumbs up to the Golden Paste suggestion from *Robin*, I'm not sure how much of a help it is, but its definitely made some difference to my dog with his dodgy hips.

sheramber

Check the weight of a ramp. The one I tied was too heavy for me and had to go back.

I think there are lighter ones now.

Try him out on a plank of wood on the floor first to see of he is happy on that and then gradually raise one end to make a slope. Some dogs just don't like them. I had one who happily walked up a dog walk ramp when doing agility but jumped over the ramp for the car.

I teach mine to put their paws up on the boot and then I lift the back end and hoist the dog in. When coming out I support the back end to make a gentle landing. I find my dogs are happier with that arrangement.

marlot

I found the ramp wonderful - I taught the dog to use it by placing it flat in the house, and having the dog walk along it for treats. Then raised it up on the bottom stair, then the second stair.

By the time it came to use it with the car a couple of days later, the dog simply scampered up.

marlot

PS - a caravan step can also be good if you can train the dog to use it - they are lightweight and strong.

Our dog was happy using this one to get in and out of the caravan. https://www.leisureoutlet.com/steps/steps-and-ladders/caravans-and-motorhomes/11684-milenco-mgi-giant-double-step

Rolandtheroadie

Was scrolling down to post about a caravan step, but see its been mentioned.
Again, try a bit of carpet on it if the dogs not keen