Dog Ramp Instructions

Small dogs with tiny limbs and elderly dogs with stiff joints can sometimes find negotiating stairs a very difficult experience--and in the case of the elderly dog, a painful one as well. Add to that the risk of your dog falling and hurting itself, and you might consider stairs nothing but an obstacle and a reason to worry. Luckily, however, you can easily construct a dog ramp for your dog from materials that are available at any local hardware or home improvement store. By placing the dog ramp over the stairs, your dog will be able to safely navigate up and down, free of pain and struggle.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Indoor/outdoor carpeting, 16 inches by (length of stairs plus 4 inches)
  • Plywood, 6 inches by (length of stairs plus 4 inches) by 1/4 inch
  • Staple gun
  • Staples
  • Wood screws
  • Screwdriver
  • 16-inch wooden slats
  • Nails (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the distance from the top of the stairs to the bottom, then add 4 inches to the number. This will show the length of plywood you will need for the ramp.

    • 2

      Attach the carpeting to the top-side of the plywood with a staple gun. This will provide a soft surface for your dog to walk on.

    • 3

      Screw the wood slats onto the plywood horizontally at 11-inch intervals.

    • 4

      Position the dog ramp on a set of stairs, then have your dog test it to make certain it is sturdy enough to support the dog's weight and that it is not set at too steep of an angle. If the ramp is strong enough and slopes gently enough for your dog, screw it in place. You might choose to nail the ramp to the stairs if you are not planning on moving it to different areas of the house.