Whether small or large, jumping in and out of a vehicle can be difficult or even dangerous for your dog. The dangers are obvious for senior dogs or small-breed dogs, but did you know all dogs are at risk of injury? Regularly jumping in and out of the back of an SUV or truck can contribute to the gradual wear and tear on your dog's joints, leading to an earlier onset of arthritis. Catastrophic shoulder and knee injuries from bad jumps or landings are not uncommon, even in highly athletic dogs, and as anyone who has had to pay for knee surgery on a dog can attest, they are not cheap.
Dog ramps, like the Dogs-Up Ramp from Canvasworks, are a great tool to reduce the wear and tear on your dog’s joints and keep them safe from expensive injuries. Our company creates a variety of ramp sizes based on your dog’s needs and your vehicle, eliminating all the guesswork and allowing you and your dog to enjoy your travels!
Here are some tips for measuring for a new Dogs-Up Ramp.
Know Your Breed
Having a good idea of your dog's adult size makes it easier to purchase the correct size Dogs-Up Ramp. Larger breeds will eventually need shorter ramps, but a small breed dog will always need a longer ramp.
In addition, having knowledge about your breed’s genetic predispositions can help you ward against future health problems. For example, large breed dogs like Great Danes and Bernese Mountain dogs, as well as some Labs and Goldens, have an increased risk of joint problems, especially as they age. Training them to use ramps early is a significant preventative step to keeping them healthy. That said, all dogs benefit from ramps. It is not uncommon for small breeds to injure themselves by jumping on or off the couch, especially dogs with long bodies like dachshunds.
Recognize Your Dog’s Needs
A standard Dogs-Up Ramp from Canvasworks is 18 inches wide. We've found most dogs are comfortable with that width. However, this is where it's essential to recognize your dog's needs. Sometimes, your dog may be perfectly happy with an 18-inch-wide ramp, but as they get older and less steady, they may need a wider model. However, giant breed dogs, extra cautious dogs, or wheelie dogs may need more room and might do better with a 24-inch ramp right off the bat.
Measure the Height & Angle
To find the perfect ramp length for your dog, you need to know the height of your vehicle and the angle your dog can easily navigate. This angle varies widely from dog to dog, so you must be aware of your dog's athletic capabilities. Young, fit dogs can handle steeper slopes, while older and overweight dogs need gentler ones.
There are a couple of ways to find the right length. First, you can use a tape measure and start at the height of your truck bed or the point of your vehicle where your dog will be going in. Next, pull the tape down to the ground, and pull it out along the ground until you get to the angle that works for your dog. The length of your tape measure at that point is how long you want your dog's new ramp to be. The other method is to find a broom or similar object, lay it against the edge where you will be using the ramp, and angle it to the ground. Keeping an eye on the angle, change the "length" of the object until you get an angle that looks good for your dog. Mark the object at that point and measure it to get the length of your ramp.
Your last step is to check that the new dog ramp will fit into your vehicle. Our Dogs-Up Ramps are very thin but do not fold, so you will need an area as long as the ramp is for storage.
Order Your Dogs-Up Ramp Today!
If you still have questions about how to measure for your new Dogs-Up Ramp, please contact us on our website or call us at 320-559-0165.
If you like our Dogs-Up Ramps, don’t forget to check out the rest of our dog training tools or any of our other innovative marine, trailer, and custom products!