I’m Kayla. I live with two large goofs: Bruno, my 98-pound Lab mix, and Mabel, my 120-pound Great Dane who’s all legs and heart. They’re sweet, but they’re not gentle on their joints. If you’ve ever wondered whether a chiropractic adjustment could help a creaky-hipped pup, here’s what happened when I searched for a dog chiropractor near me.
Last winter, Mabel tried to jump onto our bed and slipped. She limped for two days. That was my wake-up call.
So I bought pet steps. Two kinds, actually. I’ve used them for months, every single day. Here’s how that went. If you’re short on time, you can skip straight to my condensed honest review of big-dog steps.
What I Bought (And Why It Stuck)
- Pet Gear Easy Step III, Extra Wide (for the bed)
- PetSafe CozyUp Folding Pet Steps, XL (for the car)
I also tried a soft foam set by Zinus for the couch. I returned it. It felt comfy, but my dogs sunk in too deep, and the whole thing slid on our wood floors. Foam is fine for small dogs. Not for a Great Dane with hips like creaky hinges.
Bedtime Steps: Calm Nights, Fewer Yelps
Our bed sits at about 28 inches high. The Pet Gear steps have three wide steps with a low rise. That matters for big joints. Bruno learned first. He’ll do anything for a treat, which helps. I stuck a tiny smear of peanut butter on each step. He climbed like it was a game. Mabel needed a week. She stared at the steps like they might bite. I sat on the bed, patted the top, and waited. Treats, praise, slow breathing. She got it on day five and slept without whimpering. You know what? That soft sigh she made when she settled in… that sold me.
Setup notes:
- Assembly took ten minutes. No tools needed.
- The carpet treads are grippy. They do trap hair, so I vacuum them on Sundays.
- On hardwood, the base slid a little. I put a thin yoga mat under it. No more wobble.
One small gripe: I stubbed my toes twice in the dark. My fix? I nudged the steps closer to the nightstand and added a cheap motion light. Problem solved, and my toes thanked me.
SUV Steps: Mud, Grocery Bags, and One Squeak
For the car, I went with the PetSafe CozyUp Folding XL. It’s plastic, folds flat, and fits behind the crate and my grocery bags. It’s rated for heavy dogs, and it feels sturdy.
Real-life test:
- Rainy soccer day, Bruno covered in mud, me in a rush. I popped the steps by the bumper, held his leash loose, and let him sniff. He walked up. No panic. No jump. My back didn’t scream. Victory.
- After three months, the hinge made a tiny squeak. I hit it with a bit of silicone spray. Quiet again.
- Cleaning is easy. I rinse with the hose and a drop of dish soap. The tread pads peel a bit at the corners after heavy use. I pressed them back down with double-sided tape.
One weird perk: my niece used the steps as a stool to see out the back window. I didn’t love that, but kids will be kids.
Little Things That Made a Big Difference
- Height matters. For big dogs, step height around 6 to 7 inches is kinder on hips.
- Width matters too. Those wider landings gave Mabel confidence. Narrow steps made her freeze.
- Stability beats looks. Tan plastic isn’t pretty, but strong and steady is what you want.
And yes, these things take space. I slide the bed steps a bit under the frame during the day. The car steps fold and tuck away fine.
Training That Actually Worked (Fast and Kind)
- Put the steps right against the bed or couch. No gap.
- Place a crumb trail: one treat per step, plus one on top.
- Keep the leash loose. Praise the tries, not just the wins.
- Short sessions. Two to five minutes. Twice a day at first.
- If your dog freezes, pause. No pushing. Come back later.
Bruno learned in one try. Mabel took a week. Both use them now without a second thought.
The Good, The Bad, The Hair Everywhere
What I liked:
- Pet Gear bed steps feel solid and calm. The low rise is kind to old joints.
- PetSafe car steps fold fast and don’t weigh much.
- My dogs sleep better. I sleep better. No scary jumps off the bed at 3 a.m.
- Cleaning is simple. Hose, vacuum, done.
What bugged me:
- Carpet treads catch fur and dust. Weekly vacuum time.
- Plastic looks… like plastic. I wish it came in darker shades.
- If the floor is slick, you’ll need a mat under the bed steps.
- The foam steps I tried were a no for big dogs. Too soft, too slidey.
Real Moments That Sold Me
- Tornado siren night: both dogs panicked. Before, they’d launch off the bed and slip. With steps, they walked down fast and safe. My heart rate still spiked, but their paws didn’t.
- Vet week after Mabel’s hip flare-up: our vet gave a slow nod at her steady climb onto the scale. She reminded me how crucial controlled movement is after injuries like ACL surgery, where every safe step speeds recovery.
- Winter ice day: muddy paws, tired me, no falls. The car steps saved my shoulder.
Should You Get Pet Steps For a Large Dog?
Yes, if:
- Your dog is older, heavy, or has hip or elbow pain.
- Your bed or couch sits high.
- You want fewer scary jumps and fewer vet visits.
Maybe not, if:
- Your dog is scared of steps and shuts down. Try a ramp.
- You have zero floor space. Folding steps are better, but a ramp might still fit your setup.
If you and your partner find yourselves debating training methods—one of you loves treats, the other swears by clickers—consider talking it through together on InstantChat Couples for easy access to relationship coaches who can help you align on pet-care strategies and keep your household harmony intact.
With your pups safely settled thanks to their new stair routine, you might even reclaim an adults-only evening. North County couples (or singles) who like their social calendar as adventurous as their dogs’ hike schedule can explore the open-minded events listed on Vista Swingers for low-pressure meet-ups and parties that turn a free night into something uniquely exciting.
For more guidance on keeping big pups safe and mobile, check out the resources at the Pet Care Services Association.
My Bottom Line
The Pet Gear Easy Step III, Extra Wide stays by our bed. The PetSafe CozyUp Folding XL lives in the car. Both get used every day. They aren’t fancy, but they work. Honestly, they paid for themselves the first time I didn’t hear that sharp yelp from a bad jump.
Would I buy them again? Yep. Big dogs, small steps, happier hips. That’s the whole story.