Introduction: Dog Staircase
I took my GSD to the vet and she was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia.
After the Diagnoses I knew what to do. I built a staircase the length of our queen size bed. When I built a 3 foot wide ramp my GSD would not use it.
Step 1: I Used a 4 FT X 4 FT 3 Quarter Inch Red Oak Plywood.
1. I cut the sheet into four pieces with a table saw 23.5” wide and 24” tall.
On the right I cut a piece out 14.5” tall and 4.5” wide to go over the bed railing.
I used a T-Square to measure the stairs 6” tall and 6” wide.
Step 2: First Frame Piece
2. Here is the photo of the first frame piece.
Step 3: Dry Fit
Dry Fit on Bed.
Step 4: Cut With Jigsaw
Turned the board upside down to cut with a jigsaw.
Step 5: Turn Board 90 Degrees
Turn the board 90 degrees and cut the other side.
Step 6: Repeat 4 Times
Duplicate four more times. Dry fit the boards.
Step 7: Stain Outer Boards
Stain the outer boards. I used Gunstock Wood Finish.
Step 8: Cut Pine Boards
Cut 1X6X6 pine board for stairs to 59.5” I used 72” boards and cut 12.5” off each one.
Step 9: Install Pine Boards
I used a fence nail gun to tack the boards to the three quarter inch frame and used 1.5” pocket screws to make the boards more secure.
Step 10: Carpet Tacking Strips
Install Carpet tacking strips on both the bottom boards and side boards. Note the arrows on the tacking boards are facing towards the boards.
Step 11: Cut to Size
I used a tree trimmer to cut the tacking strip boards.
Step 12: Carpeting
Went to Lowes and picked up a roll of remnant carpet for $10
Step 13: Install Carpet
My wife used a rubber mallet to get the carpet to go onto the carpet tacking strips.
Step 14: Add Second Roll of Carpet
My wife added the remaining carpet. We used a Utility knife to cut the back side of the carpet to fit.
Step 15: Happy Dog
My GSD is now happy that the stairs are going up to the bed where she takes her naps.
The final touches will be adding trim to the sides of the 1X6s