Older dog getting in car. Anybody have experience?

[Musicalmaestro]

We are getting to the stage where our largish dog isn't finding it easy to hop into the back of the car.
We have started looking at ramps, but hear that other dogs haven't liked them.
I saw some caravan steps the other day and wondered about them.
Just wanting other people's ideas really.

I have a similar problem with my dog. I got a ramp on ebay, the sellers had already attached carpet which helps her grip. She's unsure, but food helps. It's bulky though, difficult if I have to use one of the seats in the boot with the dog and the ramp.

I used a stout collapsible box for my old dog. After that, I lifted him in: 24kgs, though that was into to the boot, with the internal lid removed. Is your dog liftable?

We have a ramp, off Amazon. To start with we laid it out in the house. She sniffed it and then walked on it, with some encouragement. Once she was used to it, we tried it with the car, using treats. She uses it every time now, quite happily.

We had a ramp for our old border collie. He wouldn't use it initially til he really couldn't get in the car any other way. He seemed to feel unstable on it so needed you right next to him to feel safe.

If you get a ramp use it flat on the floor first for the dogs to get use to it. Feet on get a treat
Two feet on get a treat
Four feet standing still get a treat
Put treats along is so as they move along it they ge a treat
Put it on a slight rise and start all over again.
Practise walking up and down it
Then it should be fine for your dog to use on the height of a car.

Walk alongside the ramp with your dog so it feels lke there is only a drop on one side.

However encourage the dog to walk independently so they balance correctly

I think many dogs struggle with ramps as the incline makes them feel wobbly and unsafe.

I'm a dog walker and use steps for older or smaller dogs, though many like being lifted in instead

Thanks very much everyone for your helpful suggestions. I wouldn't be able to lift her in safely, but it's good to hear from people who have had success, and tips to try.

My elderly dog had a very heavy duty ramp. She still fell off of from time to time, so do help your dog whilst using it. I found that steps wouldn’t easily fit in the car to get her in and out at the other end.

I used a ramp when my girl was getting old. I also put a harness on her, a wide, soft one which went all around her body. With this I could help steady and partially lift her, also prevent her from falling off.
Also, we used to take a bit of a walk up to the ramp, sort of to align her up and it seemed easier as she was already walking before getting on the ramp.

It was a ‘Lifepul’ dog harness, probably off Amazon. It was really good.