Community Forums

Tinkertom · 10-19-2017, 04:32 PM

We travel in our class A with 4 shih tzu's. Two of them have no issues going up and down the 5 steps in and out of the coach but the other two we have to carry which really becomes a burden. We've looked at some ramps for them but wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this and could recommend a solution.

norcal01 · 10-19-2017, 06:30 PM

Our German Sheppard had a hard time with the stairs to our coach.
Our vet explained that some pups are scared of open back stairs. I used a couple of old black shirts hooked to the back of the stairs to close the back. After about two days on the road, she became a lot more comfortable, so much so that we don't have to use anything.
I hope this helps.

JC2 · 10-20-2017, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinkertom

We travel in our class A with 4 shih tzu's. Two of them have no issues going up and down the 5 steps in and out of the coach but the other two we have to carry which really becomes a burden. We've looked at some ramps for them but wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this and could recommend a solution.

How is it a burden?

1. Are they afraid to go up the stairs like the other (2)?
2. Are they senior dogs thus having physical issues with the steps?

David3811 · 10-20-2017, 08:04 AM

Our 14 yo lab has trouble with the stairs in our Phaeton so we got a ramp at Petco. It's an aluminum retractable ramp with a rough surface so she can get a grip going up. She still has to climb a couple of steps at the top but it makes a difference.

JohnBoyToo · 10-20-2017, 08:10 AM

Ditto on the 'open' step fear for ours..

Since our 70 lb 'pup' is physically able to get up there, it was just a battle of the hard heads!
We tried two different ramps, all we ended up with is scratch marks on the ramps

So got the wife with treats to go in the coach the first few times and now he RUNS up the stairs... but it's still lift the front legs onto the jeep, then grab the back and lever them in on the few times he needs to get in there :(

caninecop · 10-20-2017, 08:27 AM

We have a large Qeensland healer that due to age we wanted a ramp that was light weight and easy to use. We found this one and it has been the best for us. I purchased it at Amazon.

http://www.gen7pets.com/products/pet...etail?Itemid=0

drbwilson · 10-21-2017, 10:05 PM

I made this ramp for our 3 dashounds. It has a 4 inch tall set of sides to make them feel safer. It folds in half for storing and has handles for carrying. I used rubber door Matt's glued on walk to keep them from slipping.

Podivin · 10-28-2017, 04:08 PM

Another 'ditto' for covering the back of the open steps with something - anything so that they can't see through.
We used to have a dog that would go anywhere, except up stairs with open/no backs.
We covered them up and he was just fine with them.
After several trips up and down we were able to remove the back.
He slowed down going up (going down was never a problem), but he could still use them.

DRBWilson - that ramp that goes off the edge of the balcony looks kinda mean...

nineoaks2004 · 10-28-2017, 08:26 PM

Our 4 Chihuahuas were afraid of the steps to get into our TT, My wife figured it out, they were catching their toe nails in holes in the steps , I placed a piece of carpet on the step and now they jump right in.

flywithcoop · 11-04-2017, 10:27 AM

Our dogs are old and have physical trouble going up steps. Bought a ramp and they won't use it. Have tried everything starting with laying it on the ground and using treats. Nothing works.

WulfHaslett · 02-24-2018, 06:51 AM

I bought a ramp for our two large dogs. They won't use it either.

Scooter · 02-26-2018, 07:46 AM

We have a $30 ramp that came with the gritty surface. Did not work well. There was slipping and sliding and protesting. Glued some old carpet to surface and it worked fine.

rasublett · 03-06-2018, 08:27 AM

We have the same issues for our old golden. He didn't like the open back so we used a strip of carpet for when he goes in and out which worked for a while. Now he just can't seem to lift himself going up into the camper or the truck. Like others, he would not use a ramp although I think we are going to try it again. But what worked for us was taking his leash and wrapping it behind his rear end and gently lifting it. Once his rear legs were lifted, he took off using his front legs. He didn't seem to mind it and it worked. He's 13 yo and weighs over 100 lbs.

Scooter · 03-09-2018, 08:10 AM

rasublett.......Re your leash idea. Can't post a link, but there is a way to cut the sides out of a cloth shopping bag...and end up with a loop and handles.

BTW have you considered giving Fido some medical CBD ? Works well for our 15 y/o.