Dog Ramps
When your dog starts to lose strength in one or more of their legs, life becomes difficult for both of you. Daily activities seem to become one problem after the other. How can you get your dog in and out of the car? How can you help your dog to go up and down steps? How can you help them get up and down from your bed safely?
Dog Ramps
The most common and economical way to deal with limited mobility is to use a dog ramp to help your dog with the daily mobility needs of going with you in the car, getting outside to go to the bathroom, or getting up and down safely from furniture or beds. Sometimes the need for a ramp is temporary if your dog has sprained or broken a leg. Other times the situation is simply due to the aging process and your dog lose the ability to walk or hold traction on different types of flooring materials. It is wise to purchase a sturdy, well-made ramp to have available to you for those times you need the extra help.
Ways To Use A Dog Ramp
The ramp can be placed at various points of entry/exit of an automobile, boat, or furniture item. Always be sure to use a ramp with enough of a ledge to provide a substantial and stable amount of surface area so the movement of your dog will not cause the ramp to slip and fall away from the surface it is resting upon. Another way to use a ramp is to lay it along a few steps. This is usually safe with 3 or 4 normal sized steps. Beyond that, however, and the slope of the ramp may be too great and your dog may be propelled down the ramp too quickly simply due to their own weight and their lack of muscle control.
Safety Precautions When Using a Ramp
Never ever EVER stand on the ramp with your dog. A number of videos show people following behind or alongside their dogs as they go down a ramp. Ramps are tested and guaranteed for a limited amount of weight. Usually, the combined weight of an adult and a full-sized dog would exceed the safety specifications of most ramps. So, be sure to position the ramp so you can stand on a step or level ground beside your dog. You do want to be right there alongside your dog to steady them if they start to stumble or move too quickly.