pet connection

Dogs have progressed from living in the back yard to the kitchen to the bedroom. Dr. Marty Becker has shared this sentiment with me and many others all over the country. I love hearing the saga of how dogs used to be in a dog house in the back yard and then they gradually moved up on the back porch, then the kitchen floor, then to our beds.

It is so true, isn’t it?

So, let’s see. Not only have the dogs come to live inside but now the smaller breeds, well, they want up to be lifted up onto our couches and beds.

Hence the advent of pet stairs and steps.

I’ve shared in a previous post a review on a ramp that help dogs gain entry into the back of an SUV. Now, I want to share a review of a set of stairs, called Slant Pet Steps, which retail for $139. They give dogs easier access to couches or beds, much to the chagrin of my husband. He once was known to say “the dogs will never sleep in our bed.”

Roxi, our beloved Chihuahua, does sleep in the bed.

And, ironically, it is my husband who helps lift her up every night and places her at the blanket near our feet. Not any more. He loves the Slant Steps just as much as Roxi does.

The Slant Steps measure 15″W x 20″D x 15″H and are constructed from eco-friendly materials.
•    wood veneer steps
•    dark zebra wood engineered finish
•    grip strips added for a non-slip surface
•    durable metallic silver powder coated steel tube – 40lbs max weight

The Urban Pet Haus Slant Steps are made to appease minimalism design-lovers as well as for strength and stability. While I appreciate the aesthetic look of the gray painted rods against the dark wood steps, I also wanted the steps to work.

Once I assembled the steps, which took about 15 minutes from opening the box to finished use, I tested them myself by leaning on them and pushing heartily with my fists. The steps are very stable. I especially like the non-slip pads that are an option for $17. Personally, I think they should be a standard feature.

Here is a video showing the stairs in use. It took a little longer for Roxi to learn how to use these steps than I would have guessed. I am not sure if it is because there is space in between each step and she was spooked by this, or perhaps Roxi is just a slow learner. Anyway, when in doubt I turn to training with treats and that seemed to work this time. If you watch the video you will see a monkey was involved. Sometimes you just do what you gotta do to get the job done, y’know?

While I may not be the best dog trainer in the world, city, neighborhood… I do like the Urban Pet Haus steps and Roxi finds them stable.

I found that placing a towel over the steps the first week helped greatly. The fact that these steps have no kick-board and are “open” probably made it scary at first for Roxi. I eventually removed the towel and she breezed up the steps without hesitating.

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