Old Dogs, and the double cab - part seconda

Ok, no hits in the pets forum (mods - really, I tried!), the 2nd Gen and Detailing forum usually garnish some snarky comments, especially if wet labs are involved. So....

Aside from the 2 Arms/Bent Knees trick, what do you use to get the doggo who is proud but getting beyond her actual abilities into the back seat? I've been using one of the bins (about 20" tall) from the back of the truck, she jumps onto then into the back seat and then again down onto coming out of the cab. Anyone make a slick folding ramp or step thing? Or the Home Depot special buy right now, 12" x 48" x 20" (x,y,z) aluminum platform for $25, not necessarily elegant mod but cheap and effective?

 

^^ No joke there ^^

I used a Home Depot bucket when I had my German Shepherd, no elegance there at all. Lol

A retractable step is a really cool idea, they're family after all.

 

I have no experience with this but there’s plenty of pet ramps.
https://www.google.com/search?sourc.......8..41j41i22i30j46i131j46j0i10.zKMc3vl31YU

 

I know, my google-fu has leveled up a bit over the years. It just feels like a little bit of defeat to just buy something, this is TW after all! I mean, there is a bottle opener mod thread - I just can't give up and buy something yet.

 

Get an extendable dog ramp. Don’t go cheap or half ass on this. I’ve had hunting labs for 30 plus years. They’ve all jumped into and out of the back seat or truck bed. All of them ended up with arthritis and joint problems and per more than one vet caused at least in part by jumping in and out of the truck. The trauma to the joints is cumulative. Last year I had $5000 orthopedic surgery for my dog Sprig(pictured on the left). I now use an extendable dog ramp 100% of the time. Especially as dogs get older it is important to use this. Yeh it’s a hassle to set it up each time but my dogs are family, they are like my children.

 

One more vote on the extendable ramp. They are light, stow away compact, and have decent traction for paws. It's rather difficult to recreate all that for the price they sell for.

Train them to use it sooner than later. When I first bought mine, our young dog learned quickly enough, but it took nearly a month to teach the senior dog not to try jumping off the side of the ramp.

 

A motorized dog ramp. Why not? There are motorized steps and motorized wheel chair lifts, seems like a logical "next step". The owner of that motorized dog ramp would be the envy of everyone at the dog's playground.

 

I used an old big heavy duty beach bag. Cut the sides out and stick underneath him like a luggage. Just make sure the bag has heavy duty handles and can lift the weight. My lab didn't have the strength or stability for the ramp. He needed to be picked up and put in the back seat. Not fun when your dog is 90 pounds of wiggle ness. They also sell a harness but they are expensive plus a pain in the ass to put on and off. My way worked perfect.

 

I’m laughing at the things we do for our dogs...man’s best friend for sure, unconditional love!

 

And why not? Dogs are much better than people in every way.

 

I had the same ramp that @Sprig has pictured. I got my big male lab use to it by first laying it on the ground and having him walk across it. After about 1/2 dozen times I put the ramp up on the tailgate of my truck. With some verbal encouragement and enticing him with his Joint MAX Triple Strength soft chews, he would go up and down the ramp pretty good. He did jump off a couple of times which led me to putting him on a short leash while coming down the ramp. Unfortunately I had to put Rocky Dog down about a year ago. The ramp went to another feller in need.
Que in the picture of my dog:


@Rock Lobster -- I went with a ramp because I have a Leer Cap on my truck. From your post you're looking for something to load your dog in the back of your double cab. Here's an couple of items on Amzon that may fit the bill.

$39 Etna Plastic Folding Pet Steps

https://www.amazon.com/Etna-Plastic-Folding-Pet-Steps/dp/B00DQD18X6

 

CBD dog chews helped my dog with her arthritis a LOT and brought her moods back to her younger and happier days.

 

I ended up getting a collapsible step system from Amazon... This way I can use it in the house for my dog, but when I do need to take him into the truck I have something I can use.

$60 PetSafe CozyUp Folding Dog Stairs, Portable Indoor/Outdoor Pet Steps for Bed, Couch & Car, Tan, 25"

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JEDNSJO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I may have to try those, for me!

 

I'm positive CBD would help you but I don't recommend the dog chews, they're way too hard and a guy could chip his teeff.

 

Your dog will probably love that.

 

I saw someone just stapled or zipties, to a piece of carpet(outdoor fake grass?, etc) to a piece of old closet maid shelving. Cut it to the right length, to fit on the floor, for storage?

 

Yoga mats work great as well.

 

This type of interaction is what I expected! No disappointing posts here! 2nd Gen forum to the rescue.

So, I have a little carpentry to do this weekend, so my ramp will work for both my DCSB and my wife's Sorento. I'll post pics when complete. The ramp is 71 inches, the tri-fold version from Amazon. We often take longer road trips in her car (I still can't get myself to say anything different since we sold the 4Runner to get the Kia, I know, I still hang my head when saying that).

 

Does anyone have a storage option for their ramp? I was thinking of trying to attach it to the tail gate for storage? Otherwise the dame thing slides around when I am driving.

edit: dog photo added because dogs are awesome