Building a Step For Our Dog

RE: Building a Step For Our Dog Post by Great Granny Vi (206) | (03/18/2006) Profile | Contact Thanks everyone for all the good advice. ThriftyFuners are great people. GG Vi RE: Building a Step For Our Dog Post By Toni (Guest Post) (03/16/2006) If you receive catalogs such as Harriet Carter, they usually have a pet step for around $15. RE: Building a Step For Our Dog Post By Mom of misslady (Guest Post) (03/16/2006) Regarding the limp, our precious lady had a limp also and we found what worked for her is joint rebuilder it is only 6.83 at Wal-Mart 1 pill a day which she chews lasts for 2 months. We also use an ottoman by the bed.......... RE: Building a Step For Our Dog Post By Mitzi (Guest Post) (03/16/2006) I use a plastic two-step stool I purchased from either K-Mart or Walmart. Trouble with that is my dog Webster won't use it to jump down from our high bed. I sure do like the idea of the soft cushions cut down. Mitzi RE: Building a Step For Our Dog Post By Dana (Guest Post) (03/16/2006) I don't know if your area has a Target store but they sell "doggy steps". Good luck! RE: Building a Step For Our Dog Post by Yorkiemom2 (6) | (03/16/2006) Contact HI we use cushions form an older couch and cut some down to make steps that are "giviable" so that when our dogs jump on them to get down they don't hit a hard surface. If you do build one from wood or something hard, you should pad it with foam before covering it! RE: Building a Step For Our Dog Post By (Guest Post) (03/15/2006) I would suggest finding some good sturdy cardboard boxes in various sizes and duct tape them together to make "steps". Then I would hot glue some carpet or blanket scraps to the tops ("treads") of the steps. If you wanted the whole thing to look better, you could cover it with contact paper, giftwrap, or paint the cartons before putting the carpet or blanket pieces on. I think I would be inclined to tie the steps to the side or end-rail of the bed (depending on where you put it), so that it won't feel wobbly to him, or tip. You could just poke a couple of holes in the box closest to the bedrail and run a rope through them. I have also seen commercial ramps for the same purpose. If you have some scrap lumber or an old shelf, you could cover it with a carpet scrap (or staple on an old rag rug) and wedge the end between the mattress and box spring. (He would still have that "step" from the ramp to the mattress, though.) If he uses it, you might want to staple a long piece of sturdy fabric (like the leg from jeans) to the end of the board, and then put it between the mattress and box spring so the board won't fall down. Either way, I would think stability is the key. If he thinks he might fall, he may be too frightened to use it. If it feels sturdy, he is more likely to use it. Bless you for adopting him! (By the way....we had a neighbor dog in my childhood who limped with no discernable cause. Once in a while, he would forget which leg to limp with and limp with the other! Good old Fritzi!) RE: Building a Step For Our Dog Post By Anne (Guest Post) (03/15/2006) I don't have plans, but bet you could find some on the internet. IN THE MEANTIME - use an ottoman, or a dining room chair pushed up against the bed. You could put it sideways at the foot of the bed, and show him how to get on and off more easily. You might want to put something 'non-slip' on it, maybe some of that under the rug padding - just tape it underneath? He could be straining muscles or ligaments - just imagine yourself jumping down from a bed that was 2 or 3 times your height (say 15 to 20 feet tall), and you get the idea. Good for you for noticing that he needs help! Anne