Description

Do Dog Ramps Work?

Non-slip dog ramps are a great way to get your dog in and out of the car with minimal stress and hassle. Ramps are useful in a variety of situations such as:

• Helping dogs with existing joint issues/arthritis or breeds prone to joint issues
• Helping to prevent joint issues developing from jumping in and out of a car over a lifetime
• Preventing injury to the owner. This may arise from lifting the dog with poor technique. Or if dog is too heavy for the owner etc.
• Preventing injury to the dog in instances where they misjudge their jump into or out of a car

Simply put, non-slip dog ramps allow your dog an easy and safe way to get into and out of the car, under supervision. They provide a firm and grippy surface for the dog to walk on. Furthermore, our ramps have raised edges to prevent a misplaced paw coming off the side of the ramp.

Introducing a Ramp to your Dog

As helpful as ramps are for getting dogs into and out of a car, your dog will not necessarily see it that way! At least to begin with. With this in mind, we recommend a gradual introduction to the ramp.

Part 1

• Begin by laying the dog ramp flat on the floor of your home or in the garden. Do not start with it in position on your car.
• Allow you dog time to give it a good sniff and familiarise themselves with it. The ramp will be an alien object after all and in most cases, considerably longer than your dog!
• Once they have had time to give the car ramp a once over and they seem content, give them a little treat or two to reward them.
• Now entice them to put their front paws onto the car ramp so they can feel the non-slip, textured surface. Again, reward with a little treat as the grippy surface may feel unusual under their paws.

Part 2

• Once your dog appears happy with the feel of the car ramp, encourage them to get all four paws onto the ramp. Do this by holding another treat in front of their head and gradually moving your hand down the length of the ramp. This will motivate your dog to walk forward. Once all four paws are on the ramp they can get rewarded with the treat.
• As they walk down the length of the ramp, give them another treat. Then turn them around and repeat the process. Always remember to give them their treat when they have completed their ‘walk down the plank’!
• When your dog is happy and confident using the car ramp flat on the floor, that is the time to practice the real thing and bring the ramp to the car!

Still use treats, at least initially to get your dog used to the different environment and angle of the ramp. Indeed, you could continue to treat each time the ramp is used. This is especially worthwhile if the ramp is only required intermittently. Before you know, your dog will have really positive associations with the ramp and be only too happy to trot up and down the ramp, into and out of the car!

This gradual conditioning process will provide a positive experience for your dog and help them to accept the ramp quickly and easily in most cases. If you are struggling with the process, contact a local dog training professional to assist you.

Non-Slip Car Ramp Technical Details

• A Bifold ramp that hinges in the middle for easy storage
• Weight of ramp 4.5kg
• Constructed of reinforced moulded plastic
• Can support dogs up to 90kg in weight
• Textured and grippy, non-slip surface
• Dimensions when extended: 40cm wide, 156cm long

Additional information