Dog ramps for suburban

[saltdog]

I've got a new rescue lab. He's big and strong, but his hind legs are weak from being penned up for several years so he's super timid with stairs or anything that depends on his hind legs (But he'll jump right off a dock!). We've been working with him for several months and he's getting better, but he has a really hard time getting into the suburban. I've tried the folding steps that my other pup uses but they freak him out because there are spaces between the steps. Today I tried this ramp- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FFLXL6CL/ - which fit the back door space (17 inches wide) but its too slippery and he's not having it. Thinking I'll just build my own out of plywood and some oak stiffeners and with strips every 12 inches horizontal that he can grip with his claws. I'd like to get him in the side doors since that's less steep than tailgate. Does anybody have an recommendations? Any ideas appreciated.

 

[YakkoWarner]

Can you adhere some carpet to the already purchased slippery one so he can feel more confident on it? 3M spray adhesives are good stuff and carpet remnants are usually cheap.

Labs are awesome - glad you have him out of the cage and are getting him back up to speed!

 

[goldpack]

I got a set of these and used some old PT 2x6 I had laying around. I just keep them in my trucks / suburbans
I think I cut the boards at a angle to mount the steel as per the directions. the 2x6 I cut about 7 feet, so they just lay on the bed floor straight to the front seat. (and with a 83 suburban's 8foot bed I guess you can too.)

Amazon.com

I did not do it for big dogs, ...just need to haul 300lb generators, big snow blowers, but I bet setting the 2x6 togther would make a big old dog happy to walk up a 2x12 with scratchy tape on it. if you are buying tape, you might buy the kind with the glowing yellow on it. like this: https://amzn.to/45XUmXl (easier to find wherever stored/ and so you or anyone can see the thing after dark when its hanging off the vehicle)

Amazon.com

I wanted the longest shallowest run I could have and store straight in the vehicle. I thought about storing diagonal possibly a longer board and a more shallow run,...but whatever is going in is taking up that real estate.

I would think the shorter the ramp the steeper it would be for your big boy...so putting more weight on is back legs.

I wonder if he would be more game for some foam steps, that would possibly hug his feet some for a steadier climb.

Amazon.com

as for skittishness. I wonder if treats / peanut butter / gravy / chicken might make him interested in giving your options a try. (like following a popcorn trail,...or whatever he can't resist).

 

[saltdog]

@YakkoWarner - Thanks I thought of that too, but I sent the ramp back to Amazon since I figured I'd need to build my own in the end- so why waste $118 for a ramp that is too short and steep. @goldpack You are right about the length. Think it will need to be seven feet or more to make it shallow enough for confidence. I'm thinking a sheet of 3/8 plywood, ripped to 18 inches by 7-8 feet, glue and screw 1x3 oak stiffeners on the sides, cover with 3M traction tape and 1x ribs every foot would be super grippy. With side rails, I could cut in half and bolt in some strong hinges to make it compact. Need to keep the ramp light enough for me. Stairs would be easier if the pup could handle them without freaking, but that may take a long time