STAIRS FOR DOGS
Making a simple , affordable and lightweight set of stairs for your dog!
the stairs under the tailgate stacked crates all tied together
How would you like to make a simple and affordable set of stairs for your dog? I have old Siberian Huskies and one problem is their ability to get in and out of the back of the truck. We looked around at different styles and then one day I came up with an idea. This simple set of stairs works for the back of a vehicle [like a pickup truck] or you can use it to load your dog into the front of your vehicle. You can use this design to stand on yourself and walk into the back of your truck. It is lightweight and comes with built in carry handles. I use it to work around the yard and house.
What you will need:
plastic crates [eg: milk crates as similar to each other as possible] usually about six, depending on height of vehicle, with as many holes in the sides as possible.
2 thin pieces of plywood/plastic sheeting etc.
carpet
cable ties [preferably heavy duty]
drill
measuring tape
saw to cut plywood if needed
scissors to cut cable tie ends off and carpet
What you need to do now is measure the distance from the ground ,where you usually load your dog into your vehicle. Or you could place the crates on the ground and stack them one on top of the other [just like Lego blocks™] until you are just below the tailgate. Putting it higher then the tailgate will make the dog uncomfortable and afraid, especially if you are dealing with old dogs or dogs who have just undergone surgery , remember old dogs do not see as well as they use to. The idea is to make the stairs as stable and reliable as can be, remember to always take care when loading your dogs.
Now that you have the height measured or you have the number of crates figured out its time to tie it all together. I used two layers of crates for the height of my trucks tailgate, which in my case took a total of six crates. Three crates wide by two crates tall.
Lay the first layer of crates down side by side, three wide if you can reach the tailgate using two layers, if not then you will have to use four side by side for the first layer and have three layers. This is a flexible way to build stairs for you dogs ,so if you have to make the bottom row / rows wider then do so. With that in mind we can tie these crates together using the cable ties. Turn the crates upside down and tie them together with the cable ties wherever you can fit the ties in. Try to put the ties close to the edges of the crates and in the middle. The ties are inexpensive so go a little crazy and add as many as you like. Now you have three crates attached side by side for the bottom , now do the same with the top ones attach them together.
Remember that plywood and carpet, well now is the time to cut the plywood to fit on the top of the row of crates, the bottom row will cover just the one row of crates not both rows. Next measure the carpet and cut that to fit ontop of the plywood. When you have these cut to fit then lay them on the top row of crates and drill holes into them. Try to line them up to the holes in the top of the crate. With that done you can now attach the plywood and the carpet using cable ties. I used four holes one on each corner, with the ties tightened through the bottom ,that way there is nothing to catch a toe or throw the dog off balance.
this is a view of the top of the stairs with the carpet ontop of the plywood and tied down with cable ties.
With the crates still upside down you can place the top row of crates on top of the bottom row. Remember to add them just like you would lego bricks™, reach under the crates and start to tie them together , this is why you need crates with as many holes in them as possible. If you do not have holes in the perfect spot then drill holes along the edge of the crates and tie them that way. When the top is attached to the bottom layer then turn the stairs over and attach the sides together to give them added strength. Keep lifting the stairs using the convenient handles built into the crates and see if they need to be stiffened up by adding more cable ties. The great thing about this system is you can add width or height even after it is all put together.
When using the stairs with your dog the first time, keep in mind that if the dog is old then he / she will be unsure about the stairs. So here are a few simple rules:
make sure the stairs are on level ground , test them yourself by stepping on them.
put the stairs as close to the tailgate as possible without having them under the tailgate.
use a collar and leash to guide the dog onto the stairs.
stand beside the dog when leading the dog onto the stairs.
do not stand on the tailgate and pull the dog onto the stairs , that is one sure way to scare your dog.
coax the dog onto the stairs and if necessary hold the dogs collar then firmly walk the dog up the stairs.
once the dog is in the back of your truck then praise him/her and turn them around.
walk them down the stairs by firmly grabbing the collar and make sure they walk down the stairs not jumping down.
These stairs are very useful when loading dogs into the front of a truck also. I used it when one of my dogs had come out of surgery, instead of having to lift the dog he was able to walk up the stairs and flop down on the front seat. Then I loaded the stairs into the back of the truck and when we were at home I just reversed the process. You can experiment with the stairs, I use mine around the dogyard also. I can reach those posts that need repairs where I could not reach unless i had a ladder. I have two sets one for each driveway , that way I don't have to carry them back and forth.
side view of stairs stairs top view dogs view tailgate
stairs from tailgate side view note distance to tailgate
Thank You. Eileen & team fastrk registered kennel
