Dog Ramp Help Please!!

[newfgewf]

Hello to everyone!

It's been awhile since I've posted and that's a totally different subject

I need some help/advice on how to get Balli to walk up his new dog ramp (I've attached a link to pictures of our unsuccessfull attempts

).

In November Balli stopped jumping up in the Ford Escape. 2 years ago he was diagnosed with slight hip dysplasia in the right hip. We've had him on SynoviCre since and he's responded great. So when he stopped getting up in the car it was back to the vet to re-check his hippers. He was upgraded to moderate dysplasia in the right hip

...left one still good

. Doc put him on Etodolac in addition to SynoviCre. Again, he's responded very well...runs, plays, just like a spring chicken again but he still won't jump up into the car. We are venturing down the path of surgery but we live on a 2nd floor apartment and have to move 1st.

So we got Balli an AWESOME dog ramp. Great, sturdy ramp for the price! Problem is, he won't use it. When I lay it on the floor he's okay with it. When I elevate it on a curb he's okay with it. Buttttt, when I put it up to the car...no way (see pictures for the look on his face that proves it!) I tried putting sandpaper tape on it and he'll attempt it but then backs away plus the tape stuff slides off.

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips? For now he puts his front paws up and I lift his big furry butt into the car but I sprang my wrist doing this hence the dog ramp for him and me

Here's the ohh so funny attempts...I have tried this with the help of Ross too. We both ended up getting covered in slobber as we tried to lure Balli up the ramp with cookies

http://www.fototime.com/inv/1C925A87752BC1F

Thanks for any help!

 

[luvxl k 9]

If you look at the one picture where the ramp is on the curb and he is in the middle of it, you'll notice the bottom of the ramp is bowed and touching the ground. I'm betting that when it bows more, it is scaring Bali, which is why he has no problem being on the end, it doesn't move or bow then.

 

[Sue M.]

Boy, I don't know what to tell ya.
Both my Koda and Molly have severe hip dysplasia. I have them taking Cosequin DS, 2 tablets, twice a day.
As far as the ramp goes, we made sure their back legs are lined up with the ramp and of course tempted with treats. Pretty soon, they were going right up it! Of course my Koda is a major food motivated Newf!
I do notice quite the bow in the ramp. What's the weight rating on it?

[ 01-05-2006, 04:04 PM: Message edited by: Sue M. ]

 

[newfgewf]

Thanks for the questions

I too was worried about how the ramp would bow and feel. I tested it myself on the floor, the curb, and even walked up it in the car...good thing I don't use shock collars...I'd test those on myself first too

The ramp seemed to cave beneath me on the curve but not when it was fully extended into the car.

So that's the weird thing. He's fine walking on it on the curb but not into the car. Ewwf, looks like Balli's going to be putting some weight on with all these cookies!

I'm thinking about getting the sand paper tape in big patches then stapling it to the ramp. He seemed to start up it if his feet were on the tape but the minute they hit carpet and he slid he'd back off

Thanks again!

 

[luvxl k 9]

If you look at the picture of were he's standing in the middle of the ramp as it is leaning up to the van it is still bowing a little with just his front feet on it. Did you look up to see what the weight rating was on it? If you have something you could put under it to brace it so it doesnt move any until he gets used to it, that's the only thing I can think of.

 

[Ivoryudx]

Try putting side panels up for a short time. This will give him a more secure visual. You could probably just lean a couple pieces of plywood on the sides, just to get him started. He's probably looking down at the sides, and not the top.

 

[leahcupps]

Terrible visual, but I had to crawl backwards up it a couple of times dangling the VFF like a carrot to an @$$ before anyone would follow me. Felt like the Pied Piper trying to herd cats instead of Rats.

Patience, he'll come around. It's just new. Heck I saw on another board where this neat guy taught his Newf Drake to go down a playground slide. He's my new idol....how cool and fun!

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Hi,
I was asking about dog ramps a couple of days ago. In that thread "dog ramps for SUVs there's some photos of another NNers dog using what appears to be the same ramp. That ramp is not bending like yours is.
It is hard to tell how your dogs compare in size though. But maybe you could ask them if they have had any problems with theirs.
Did you buy it directly from Dogramp? If so maybe you could call and ask them for advice.
Anita
I am plannign to buy this same ramp, now I am wondering if I will have a problem, because Gabe is a bit of a wuss.

 

[Ksullivan]

I have been wanting to get a ramp for Koda. We have a Chevy Avalanche, and we put him in the back seat. We put one of the back seats down to get him in and out, but it is still such a jump for him to get in, and out. Do any of these ramps reach to like a back seat of a pickup? All the pictures I have looked at on the internet, and in magazines, show like in the back of a SUV, or a Van. I like being able to put him in the back seat, because with the Avalanche, you have to take off panels, in order to get a crate in the back end, plus wintertime, it would be cold.
Thanks to anyone who may have an answer to this.

 

[NinaA]

I have one of these ramps, and the first thing I see is that it's opened up too far. Also, they're not made to be used in the curb situation. I've used mine (Echo weighs 150) for years with no problems. The way to get them to use it is to simply open it up and lay it FLAT on the ground. Then, get the dog to walk the length of it down flat several times. Put it up against the back of the car and the dog should go right up it. Make sure you take a straight shot. See the other thread.

Nina
et al

 

[NinaA]

One other suggestion. We always take a run at it. Kind of get them ready. Then we "go, go, go" and they charge right up it.

Nina
et al

 

[Prdmary]

I got one of those ramps for Turner when he was in the "too big to lift" but "not big enough to jump" stage! Ha! Anyway, he wasn't so sure about it either. First we had him practice going down first. Going down just seemed easier for him. Then we tried ALL kinds of treats...no dice. Finally we let our other little dog go up it first....and Turner couldn't stand it because he thought Rocky was going somewhere without him! Up he went! I use that little trick now with anything Turner won't do...just get Rocky to do it first! If Rocky can do it...then he can! Ha!

My ramp is very sturdy. Yours did appear to extend further than mine though.

We also had one person standing on each side of the ramp....that seemed to help....I think it worked kind of like the panels that Susan suggested....course I didn't know why it helped at the time! Ha!

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Hi Kristin,
I have an Avalanche, too. I love that thing. Most comfortable ride on four wheels! Anyway, Gabe had to stop riding in it because he's too big to ride with the seats up-he slides right off the seat into the floorboard. He can still ride if need arises with the rear seats folded down, but I agree it is more of a jump than I want him to make.
I don't think the ramp would work there. Have you considered a step? You can buy sets of steps-I looked at them before ramps. Or you could just make a hollow "box" out of sturdy plywood to give him a little boost. Then just stow it in the bed.
Just a thought.
Anita

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Just wanted to add :
Keri, I agree with the others. I think the problem might be the ramp is overextended, making it unstable.
Take it up so that the bottom in just a bit beyond where the break in the concrete is there in your pictures at the garage.
The angle will be a little steeper, but I think it will be much more steady for you.
Keep us posted on how its progressing...
Anita

 

[newfgewf]

Thanks to everyone for their advice

Ross and I have discussed some of these options and have a game plan for tomorrow...hopefully it's not raining!

We're going to get some of the sandpaper tape panels and secure those (Balli did attempt the ramp with the sandpaper strips). We're also going to leave the ramp flat to his water bowl...he doesn't seem to have a problem walking on it flat and nothing keeps him from his water bowl And we're definitely going to not extend it so far. I got on the ramp when it was fully extended again, this time looking for a bow, and Ross said it did bow. We didn't notice it the first time. It just felt sturdy when I walked up it

Annnnd of course we'll have LOTS of treats....though I'm not sure I'll try the crawling up backwards thingy but it was a hilarious visual. Of course Ross wants me to try it just so he can get it on video

Hopefully, fingers and paws crossed, I'll be sending some pics with Balli in the car! I will keep you posted.

Thanks again!

 

[Ksullivan]

Nowhavethreebears,
Thanks for the info, I wondered if one of the ramps would make the back seat. The steps is what I will try. The Avalanche is a smooth ride. It rides better than my Lexus.
Thanks again!

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Hey Keri,
How's it progressing with Balli? Is he going up it yet?
Anita

 

[newfgewf]

We didn't have much time to work with Balli and the ramp this past weekend but he did go up it once

Going down was no problem at all!

We tried not extending it as far and we stood on either side and held cookies. I think the key is the sandpaper tape. The one time he went up it he was fine until his feet hit carpet and he slid then he belly crawled up cause he didn't know how to throw it in reverse and back down (we didn't get the sandpaper tape panels yet).

We are cleaning out the garage this weekend which means a trip to the hardware store so we'll get the panels at the same time. I'm hoping to post pics of Balli on the ramp walking up it like a champ!!

Thanks for asking...we're getting there...baby Newfy steps

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Yeah, Balli! You be a brave boy, you'll get there. I just ordered one, and I will remember the sandpaper tape when I use it. Glad to hear he is making progress. :hugs:Balli
Anita