Some dogs need an extra boost -- and a dog ramp over stairs can help. An older canine, small dogs or injured pups might appreciate a ramp over stairs. Building a ramp yourself will not only save money, but you'll also be able to customize the size and material.
Step 1
Adhere the piece of carpet to one side of the plywood board using the carpet glue, and let it dry.
Step 2
Ensure the 2-by-4-inch piece of wood and the strip of rubber matting are the same size. Both should have a length that matches the width of the plywood board. These pieces will comprise the "foot" of the ramp to prevent it from slipping at all. Adhere the strip of rubber to the piece of wood using the carpet glue. Then let this piece dry.
Step 3
Lay the carpet side of the plywood up, and the rubberized side of the wood strip rubber-side down. Use the power drill and screws to attach the rubberized wood strip to the carpeted plywood at a 45-degree angle (so that it will lie flat on the floor while the rest of the ramp is angled over the stairs). Set the completed ramp on the stairs, and let your dog try it out.
Tips
- When choosing the size of the plywood board, you must take your stairs' width into consideration, as well as the width that your dog will need to fit comfortably on the ramp. (For example, a very small breed such as a Chihuahua may only need 12 inches of board width, while a medium or large breed may need 24 inches.)
Writer Bio
Olivia Kight is an experienced online and print writer and editor. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2012, and has worked on education, family life and counseling publications. She also gained valuable knowledge shadowing a zoo veterinarian and grooming and socialize show dogs, and now spends her time writing and training her spunky young labradoodle, Booker.