How to Build Pet Stairs

We all want Fido to go wherever we go, and we want him to do it with ease. Unfortunately, high places can be hard for your dog to get to and can even be dangerous. That is unless you have a set of homemade dog stairs at your disposal. Thanks to these easy-to-follow instructions, Fido will be climbing to high places in no time. Finished, these stairs measure approximately two feet tall. The size of the stairs can easily be modified by to make the stairs shorter or taller.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Power saw or crosscut handsaw
• 2 pieces plywood, 18 inches by 36 inches
• Clamp
• Pen, pencil, or marker
• 6 two-by-two pieces, 12 inches long
• Several screws, wood or drywall
• Power or manual Phillips head screwdriver
• 2 two-by-two pieces, 15 inches long
• 2 two-by-two pieces, 4 inches long
• Chairs or other supports
• 3 pieces plywood, 12 inches by 15 inches
• 1 piece plywood, 15 inches by 6 inches
• 1 piece plywood, 15 inch by 18 inch
• 1 piece of carpet, 36 inches by 39 inches
• Carpet knife or razor blade
• Several staples or carpet tacks
• Staple gun or hammer

Instructions

1. Measure and cut out the two 18-inch by 36-inch plywood sides. Clamp the sides together so you have the least damaged parts on top of one another. Mark the pattern of steps you're going to use on the top piece. For instance, 6 inches up and 12 inches over, three times altogether. Saw along the lines.

2. Add the two-by-two supports. Using three screws in a shallow triangle pattern starting on the plywood side, attach each 12-inch two by two parallel to the top inside part of each step. Keep the edges from sticking out past the plywood. Screw the two 15-inch two by twos flush with the bottom, vertically aligned with the inside edge of the last step. Screw the two 4-inch two by twos flush with the bottom and in vertical alignment with the inside of the front step.

3. Add the final pieces. Prop the two sides against chairs or other forms of support. Put the 12-inch by 15-inch boards on the supports to make your steps. Screw in place as squarely as possible. Screw the 15-inch by 6-inch piece along the bottom front step, flush with the floor and the sides, if possible. Screw the 15-inch by 18-inch piece to the back step, flush with the floor and sides, if possible.

4. Measure, cut, and add carpet. Using carpet tacks to secure the carpet to the stairs.

5. Try it out! Make sure the stairs are steady. Remember that these stairs are new to your dog, and it may take some coaxing and positive reinforcement for him to get used to the stairs.

Tips & Warnings

• The stairs should be stable. Its also recommended to use eye protection and remember to watch your fingers while building.

References

• Make and Build Dog Stuff