Customer Reviews

Mr. Herzher's Smart Ramp

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Our Golden Retriever is starting to have occasional difficulty getting into our vehicles. After a great deal of research on Amazon and other websites we chose this ramp. He took to it like a duck to water. It's sturdy and stable. With the rounded sides (that also serve as a handle) it's quite easy to set up and take down. It slides to 1/2 the elongated size for easy storage. The weight of the ramp is manageable - it's mid-range in weight compared to other ramps.

There were two valuable lessons I found in my research.

1. While initially training your dog to use the ramp, stretch it out flat on the floor and let your dog walk on it and get used to it. Then, get your dog to use the ramp to get to a small height, like a favorite chair. Depending on your dog's motivation, a treat or two helps. In our case, a tennis ball worked well. After a bit of practice, try getting your pet to use the ramp to get into a vehicle. Be patient and don't create fear by pushing your dog too hard. Make it fun. We took agility classes with our Golden a few years ago, so we used those skills to make a game of the ramp training.

2.) Don't wait until your pet is injured or frail to start using it. Begin using it when they are young so it's just part of their normal routine. Then when they "really" need it, there's no training or adjustment when they're not feeling well.

The walking area is wide enough for very large dogs and the surface is non-slip but not sticky. The rubber ends that hold the ramp in place do not slip and the ramp doesn't bounce when your pet is walking on it. Some of the other products looked good, but the stability and ease of use of this ramp where what sold us on this particular product. It's a good backsaver for pet owners as well, especially those of us with large dogs.

Today I am purchasing my second Smart Ramp. The ramp slides closed to 1/2 the size for storage. When you want to use it just hold up and give a yank for the unit to lengthen. We use this ramp at the edge of our bed for our elderly dog to come and go as he pleases. We are getting this second unit for the basement so our pet can get up/down from the sofa. Product is study, lightweight, and I can highly recommend this ramp over other ramps. I have tried the "steps" and they all seem too wobbly or too lightweight and the steps move while my pet is trying to go up or down and therefore he wouldn't use them. I've tried other steps which are made of aluminum and they are heavy and seem to bounce when my 40lb. dog tried to go up/down and therefore he wouldn't use that one either. This ramp does not bounce, does not move under his feet, is lightweight, and reduces in 1/2 for storage. Great product.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed all the ramps here on Amazon, because I read them all before purchasing this one. The safety of this one, with covered edges, are what led me to choose this over longer ones. That was more important to me, but I do wish this one was even just two or three inches longer. I've just started training the dog (we got halfway up with four treats on our first time out), but I'm sure he'll be going up it soon enough. Going down it is where I'm sure it will take longer to get him comfortable. I'm using this with a 2008 Saturn Vue. It's a touch steep, but manageable for my 85-pound lab with bad arthritis, particularly in his left front leg. I like how solid it seems -- not flimsy or dangerous at all. It's not heavy and slides easily, though I do wonder if I was shorter than my 5'6" if it would be harder to fully extend it. Right out of the box, I wished there was confirmation that it wasn't going to slide closed - or perhaps a lock - but after getting it up on the car, it was clearly fine, sturdy and safe.

This ramp is very solid, telescopes easily, and is relatively slipproof. Best for SUVs or other vehicles that open up in the back. Most passenger car doors do not open wide enough to accommodate the width of this ramp, so it's best for getting big dogs up to high spots where you have a large, unobscured opening -- not for helping your dog into the back seat of your car.

This ramp is awesome! My Lab has arthritis in his back knee so he needs help in and out of my SUV. I had to guide him up the ramp twice making sure the area around the ramp had plenty of space. I also made sure I centered myself and was feeling confident because dogs pick up on all human emotions. But after the first two tries he now waits for me to set up the ramp because he knows it helps him. The ramp itself is very easy to carry because the side rails are designed to double as handles. There are no sharp edges and the sliding process is simple. I'm a 5'2" female so I don't have a wide reach and unlimited strength so for an elderly female this ramp might be a bit on the heavy side but otherwise it is very easy to manipulate. I did re-glue the rubber stoppers but it sits firmly on my vehicle's bumper no matter if it is placed in the center or side of the curved bumper. There is nothing to mar the surface of the car bumper - it is completely safe. The ramp is so solid and sturdy that even my 95 pound Lab can't cause a ripple. Fantastic construction for this product. I'm extremely satisfied with the performance.

After a lot of on line shopping and compairason I purchased this ramp. I especially like the telescoping feature as it allows my dog to use any entrance in the vechicle. I have a suburban and do not prefer to use the back access hatch but am able to get my 85 pound boxer in and out with ease through the passenger doors. We have gone from it being a battle to get him in the car(he wants to do it himself and gets "stuck" half way in and then does not want to jump out)to a happy glance from both of us as he now can do it himself. No more frustration. Even his Vet has seen a postive difference when we come for visits in his attitude. Would purchase this again in a heart beat. It is sturdy, well built, has great footing and is easy for a 5'4" woman to manuver around. The picture does not show it fully extended so you actually get more length than shown.

My lab has arthritis in her hips and was unable to jump into the car any longer. This ramp was perfect! It has a non-skid area so that she doesn't slide down. It took a little coaxing and some treats to get her up the ramp the first couple of times. After she got the hang of it she just walked right up and down without any assistance.

The product is solid and sturdy for my dog,who weighs 85 pounds and she has no trouble using it. However, it is heavier than I thought it would be and takes a lot to get it in and out of my SUV and to pull out the retractable portion. It is cumbersome and takes up a lot of room. All in all it is worth the effort to have a product to assist her getting in and out.

The ramp is very sturdy. It doesn't fold but telescopes out so no pinched fingers. Surface is sandpaper like so no slipping. Raised sides serve as handles for carrying. Researched all the different ramps here on Amazon and decided upon this one. Good decision, I recommend it. I have a Newfoundland and needed something to get him in and out of the car without needing me to carry him - he had no problems with it and walked up and down it the first time. It stays in position. It doesn't fold up small so I either store it behind the front seat on its side or flat out in the back with a towel on it so he can lay on it if he wants to spread out. Am considering buying another for inside the house. Good purchase.

Overall, it's not bad, but I think it needs a "stop" or something to keep the slide out in place. It will slide out automatically when you pick it up and being as heavy, as it is, it can be dangerous.