Build a Dog Ramp Out of Plywood

By Johanna Soliday

Before you start, consider the following:

* How big and how heavy is your dog?
* How often will you need to move the ramp?
* How wide do you want your ramp to be?
* Is there a chance that humans will use the ramp too?
* How many ramps will you need?

For a dog or humans over 100 lbs, you may need 3/8 or 1/2 inch plywood; otherwise you can use 1/4 inch plywood.

If the ramp is to be moved frequently, you will most likely want as light a ramp as possible. The recommended width is between 16 and 24 inches.

MATERIALS NEEDED

* Plywood (for length see Instructions below)
* Indoor-outdoor carpeting to cover one side of the plywood
* 4 strips of wooden lathe, each piece as long as the ramp’s width
* Wood or drywall screws

INSTRUCTIONS

* Measure the distance from the top of the stairs to the bottom
* Add 4 inches
* This will determine the length of the plywood and carpeting
* Cut the plywood
* Staple or glue the carpeting to the top side of the plywood
* Starting from the bottom, screw the lathe crosswise over the carpeting at regular intervals, for example every 10 or 12 inches
* Place the ramp over the steps and let your dog try it
* If the ramp is too steep, add another two feet of plywood and try again (screw a piece of board underneath the two sections to join them)
* Once your dog can use the ramp, move it to where you want it, then anchor the top end to the stairs with screws or nails
* Make sure nothing pokes out to hurt your dog’s paws
* If your steps are made of cement, use concrete anchors or concrete nails for fastening

Congratulations, that’s all there is to building a dog ramp out of plywood!

Jo Soliday is indebted to her friend, Ruth, for the instructions for this dog ramp. Ruth’s 17-year-old Lab has been using such ramps for years. For more ideas on dog ramps or making things for dogs, visit Jo’s website at http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com.

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