Stairs or ramp to get a large breed puppy out of the car?

[SpotTheCat]

I have a 5 month old puppy (lab cross giant schnauzer). She is getting too big for me to pick up to get her in and out the car, also she hates it. I was looking in to getting a ramp for her but a lot of people say that their dogs hated them. All the ones that seem good for large dogs are expensive, I don’t want to pay that much for something we might never us. Th folding stairs seem better but she is still young so I don’t really want her to use stairs yet

any idea? would the stairs work if I lifted most of her weight when she walks up them? What are peoples experiences with dog ramps?

 

[21hens-incharge]

At 5 months she is plenty big enough for stairs.

Is there a way you can make car rides "fun" for her?
I use a command "load up" for getting in and "unload" for exiting. I trained using a favorite toy. Getting in won them the toy then a minute or two later taking the toy and while I was out of the car "unload" and once out won the toy again. Small sessions each day until loading and unloading wasn't scary anymore then a trip around the block after loading. Slowly I made those drives longer. After they learned to be calm in the car I would take them into a parking lot petsmart and park for a bit.

All this while on leash and yes during drives they are seatbelted in. Not all dog body harnesses are seatbelt rated so if using one definitely do your research.

I never use a collar leash as collars can slip off. I also use an "escape proof" harness as I have an expert at getting out of harnesses. So far the escape proof has worked well.

Every dog is different so you have to find what works for yours.

 

[SpotTheCat]

At 5 months she is plenty big enough for stairs.

Is there a way you can make car rides "fun" for her?
I use a command "load up" for getting in and "unload" for exiting. I trained using a favorite toy. Getting in won them the toy then a minute or two later taking the toy and while I was out of the car "unload" and once out won the toy again. Small sessions each day until loading and unloading wasn't scary anymore then a trip around the block after loading. Slowly I made those drives longer. After they learned to be calm in the car I would take them into a parking lot petsmart and park for a bit.

All this while on leash and yes during drives they are seatbelted in. Not all dog body harnesses are seatbelt rated so if using one definitely do your research.

I never use a collar leash as collars can slip off. I also use an "escape proof" harness as I have an expert at getting out of harnesses. So far the escape proof has worked well.

Every dog is different so you have to find what works for yours.

She is fine with car rides the only thing she dislikes is me having to try and lift her. I thought it was older before their growth plates stopped?

 

[21hens-incharge]

It is older when they stop growing.
They should still be moving while growing and doing stairs is fine once they are big enough to make the step up and down without tumbling down stairs.

I have steps going out the back door of my house. I cannot imagine trying to lift a 60+ pound pup up and down them.

I have always had big breed dogs and so far none have been harmed by using the stairs.

Relax a bit and teach that giant pup stairs.

 

[SpotTheCat]

It is older when they stop growing.
They should still be moving while growing and doing stairs is fine once they are big enough to make the step up and down without tumbling down stairs.

I have steps going out the back door of my house. I cannot imagine trying to lift a 60+ pound pup up and down them.

I have always had big breed dogs and so far none have been harmed by using the stairs.

Relax a bit and teach that giant pup stairs.

Thanks I will then! Its extra stressful because she has broken her elbow all ready still 2 more weeks before we will try stairs

 

[janiedoe]

My dogs (boxers) hate ramps. They prefer steps going up, but they unfortunately, won't go down them. They jump down, which I hate because the are larger boxers.
I generally take my car, rather than the SUV, when they have vet appointments, because they can climb in and out of the back seat easily.