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Indoor Doggie Ramp Build

A

aka Larry

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Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
8,066
Location
Eastern, NC
My wife and I have have two miniature dachshunds. Our bed is quite tall, so a few years back I built a set of steps so they were able to get on an off the bed unassisted. As they have gotten older, the steps are not as easy to use, so my wife wanted me to build a ramp to go along the foot of the bed.

As with everything I build, I first started with a drawing.

bed ramp.jpg

A couple of weeks ago I got to work on the construction. The structure is mainly a face frame type using 1x3s joined with pocket screws. The bottom is 1/4" plywood that slides into a full length dado. The backing is a 1/8" hardboard secured with brads. The front will have three bead board panels that match the headboard I built a couple of years ago. The flooring is leftover laminate from the house mounted to some 1/4" plywood that sits on a pair of 3/4" square rails.


bed_ramp_03s.jpg

bed_ramp_04s.jpg



I finally got the railing built this weekend, which was constructed with 1x2s and 3/4" square pickets. The railing is removable and built in two sections for ease of transport. I used furniture screws to secure the railing assemblies to the ramp base. I still need to do some final sanding, but after that it's ready for final paint and installation.


bed_ramp_05s.jpg
 
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R

rharman

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Apr 22, 2012
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Location
SoCal
Good on ya'. Of all the things I've built, the ones I got the most satisfaction from were a couple of sets of steps for our aging beagles years ago. SIzed so a carpet sample cut in half would cover both steps.

We use them for other things now, stand for a fan, etc. but I smile every time I look at them.

We have a tower fan on the upper step of one in our bedroom. The cat likes to use the lower step to sharpen his claws.
 
C

cherokee

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Mar 2, 2010
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980
Location
Kansas City MO
I have the same type of deal.

Story time:

I have a big dog that sleeps under the bed, 90lbs. I have a "mini" Border Collie that sleeps in bed.

As willow has gone from this, to this.

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It has gotten hard for her to get under the bed, she got stuck once and FREAKED out. Made stinky tail. So the wife wanted to raise the bed. My bed is now waist high. This made it impossible for Remington to get in bed, so I did the same thing, ramp. With his arthritis stairs are hard, so the ramp was better. I currently have two, one for the bed, and one for this couch. Thinking of another for the front steps, as those are really rough for when he goes outside.

Goofy dog, you know they are rough and hurt, but he will go downstairs for no reason. He will walk down the steps then come back up. Little nut, go down turn around and come up. I don't know what goes on in his little brain, prove to himself he can still do it?
 
OP
A

aka Larry

Well-known member
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
8,066
Location
Eastern, NC
I know what you mean. We (animal lovers) do a lot for our furry family members.

Our former dachshund "Katie" (RIP) had to have back surgery, which she came through with flying colors, but I wanted to make it easier so she didn't need a second surgery. I ended up building this in their room where they sit and look out the window when we're at work. This one is all metal.

ramp.jpg
 
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imagineer

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Dec 13, 2015
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1,017
Location
Ohio
I made something similar for our old chihuahua mix. Even with carpet on the ramp, he couldn't get traction, so I added 1/2" thick x 1" wide battens under the carpet running across the width of the ramp, 6" on center for him to gain a foothold.
 
OP
A

aka Larry

Well-known member
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
8,066
Location
Eastern, NC
imagineer said:
I made something similar for our old chihuahua mix. Even with carpet on the ramp, he couldn't get traction, so I added 1/2" thick x 1" wide battens under the carpet running across the width of the ramp, 6" on center for him to gain a foothold.
Click to expand...

I used battens on my last outdoor ramp and they really seemed to hinder my dogs going down the ramp. When I rebuilt my deck last year with Trex, I rebuilt the ramp and added skateboard grip tape, which has worked out great.

Here are few pics of that ramp where I used Trex for the decking, steel for the posts, PVC for the rails, and FRP rods for the pickets. I also added LEDs down the center for a cool look at night.

outdoor_ramp_01.jpg

outdoor_ramp_02.jpg




outdoor_ramp_03.jpg
 
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