Here’s everything you should be keeping in mind when shopping for dog stairs for the first time and virtually any purpose. Indoor and Outdoor Use Choosing the right doggy steps is essential, For a ramp, you should be looking at a gentle slope with an incline of 18 to 20 degrees for a small dog and 22-25 degrees for medium-sized pets, Remember dogs have 4 paws so have a lower centre of gravity than us, so while these may seem steep to pet parents your pup will handle them just fine. For a sofa 14-16 inches in height, you would need a ramp 3 feet in length, that is why stairs are sometimes a better option especially in small living rooms. Anyone who owns dogs or a pet that goes outside frequently will already know that muddy paws can be a nightmare. However, providing you invest in pet stairs that you can easily clean down. You shouldn’t have much to worry about. Stability To teach your dog to go downthe stairs, reverse the process: lure them onto the first step, before placing a treat on the ground so they want to step down It’s probably safe to say that the best pet steps for dogs aren’t things you are likely to think about a lot. That is, however, unless your dog is likely to be showing issues with getting up into bed, vehicles, or otherwise. Dogs’ joints are just as likely to need looking after as our own, and therefore, one of the kindest things you can do is help them out when they really need the support.

An anti-slip surface such as carpet tread or rubber is essential as are non-skid feet if you intend to use stairs for dogs on a hard floor. This will help dogs to keep their grip when going up and down the unit at their own pace, prevent accidents and give them confidence especially for puppies or if they have never used dog steps before. Easy Storage One of the most important factors for pet owners to consider when buying the best dog stair is stability; a sturdy foam inner is going to be a great choice for some whilst others will need something a bit stronger like wood or plastic to make them feel secure.For small dogs, senior dogs, or pooches struggling with arthritis, jumping into the car, or onto the couch, can be a real challenge. Thankfully, petcare companies have come up with an ingenious solution: dog stairs. These portable steps can give your canine companion a much needed boost, allowing them access to areas they would otherwise find it painful for impossible to reach. These stairs are a good solution for nearly every need. They have wide and deep steps which make it easier for small dogs to pause their entire bodies on each step and they give larger dogs a better feeling of stability. The step rise is 6 inches high and there’s an overall slight slope. That means fewer stairs to reach the same height. Some dogs might need a little coaxing to navigate the slant, particularly when heading down the stairs. If you live in a multi-story house, it’s probably already the case that your dog knows how to use stairs! Training them to use a smaller system may take time, but be patient. The best steps for dogs are really easy to train pets on. Simply take them gently up and down on a lead, and reward with a treat when they do well! This neat, foldable wooden stairs system is fantastically easy to manage and to store away. It’s particularly interesting that it’s a 2 in 1 steps solution, which means that you can fold it down into a ramp if you want to. It’s nice and wide, as well as sturdy, and this means you should be able to support lighter dogs up and down to bed or into vehicles.

Also built into the step design may be rubber grippers, which you can use to allow your stairs to grip on wooden interior floors or hard surfaces. Ultimately, whether you choose foam stairs, plastic or wood you will need your pet stairs to stay as rigid as possible from use to use. Can I Train My Dog to Use Stairs?

The jury is out on this one, but there are a few points that tip things in the direction of pet stairs or dog stairs. For one thing, likely, most dogs will likely be more used to steps than they will ramps. If you think about it logically, their legs and paws may find it easier to walk up and down stairs than to use a ramp of any kind. While some ofthe best dog rampscan be really useful, pet steps and dog stairs may be more likely to give them the support you’re considering for them.

Maybe your tiny dog can’t jump up on the bed or your senior pup has difficulty leaping onto the couch. You might want to look into dog stairs to make the trip up and down so much easier.Foam- other dog steps are carved from a type of high density foam, encased in a soft fabric cover. Foam offers the perfect combination of sturdiness and gentleness - it gives a little under your pet’s paws, but isn’t too soft to support their weight. These options can’t be folded away, however, so might not be the best choice for you if space is at a premium in your home. Make sure to look for stairs that will happily handle and support the bulk of your pet and which are nice and rigid. While you need stairs made of foam which are comfy to an extent, you’re also going to need to make sure your pet receives a level platform or two to walk up and down. The long term solution is to cut down on the treats and make sure that your dog gets enough exercise to shift that weight, but in the meantime dog steps could be the perfect solution. Your Four-Legged Friend is Post-Surgery or Can’t Climb

I hope you’ve found my guide to the best dog stairs informative and useful. If you are after our personal recommendation then we would advise the High Density Foam Dog Steps. Whether you look for a Pupstep Plus or Zinus easy pet stairs with their US certified foam interior, Foam pet steps can be a great investment. Another great reason to look for dog stairs is if you take your dogs or pets in the car on journeys frequently. If your dog loves the beach or woodland walks you’re not going to want to limit these because Fido has problems getting in and out of the car. Upon its publication in 1973, the Dog Writers Association of America bestowed upon Dogsteps its highest award Best Book of the Year. More than an analytical look at canine gait, the book teaches the reader about canine anatomy and how each body part contributes to a dog's correct movement. In the show ring, judges evaluate a dog's movement to determine whether or not the dog is correctly structured: Dogsteps explains what the judge is or should be looking for in lay man's terms, making this book essential for all breeders, judges, exhibitors, and students of purebred dogs.The most complete information on canine gait and movement available in video format. Includes anatomical diagrams and film clips of still and moving x-rays which provide a look at bone and joint motion inside the dog. Illustrations throughout the DVD emphasize the importance of sound structure and show how serious deviations may affect efficiency and endurance. Highly recommended for every serious dog fancier and every breeder to help produce structurally sound pups. Stairs are also great for dogs with hip dysplasia and specific exercise requirements Injuries Caused by Jumping on and off furniture can include: