Jumping off Sofa

[MarkFromSea]

Originally Posted by Britster

Totally!

And I've used this vid before, but you can start seeing right around the :50 second mark, him getting up and down off the bed, it's literally with such ease, if there were a ramp or stair there, he wouldn't use it anyway.

Jackson doing tricks and playing with 3 year old Emma - YouTube

Oh NO! You have a child with your yorkie! How could you? Your pup might get hurt!

[Sukey]

I've had 2 previous yorkies.....one with good knees, one with bad knees (who was horribly bred). They both jumped on and off the furniture. The vet never said not to let them jump on/off the couch

My current girl also jumps on/off the couch. I have stopped her from jumping off the back of the couch (crazy girl!). We do have carpeting so I guess that might cushion the impact a bit.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by lillymae

No small dog should be allowed to jump off of furniture as it will usually eventually cause disc issues . . .

Also I prefer a ramp vs steps as steps still allow too much of a jolt to their spine.

I focus so much on legs that I forget about the spine. I have always heard that stairs are bad for dogs' backs, dogs of any size, and I have been meaning to search for vet articles on this. The damage usually isn't seen until old age, as happened with our Cockapoo. Now you have me thinking twice about the jumping on the couch.

Originally Posted by Britster

I see where you're coming from, but honestly, they're dogs. I see no reason to have an 8-15lb dog that is perfectly capable from jumping on/off the couch being forced to wait for you. Now if the dog physically cannot, due to size, or health, or whatever, or already has health issues, or is a breed prone to back probs (i.e. Dachshunds). That is of course understandable. And of course it can't "hurt" to lift a dog on/off, but I would never make a perfectly willing/capable dog do this personally. If anything, I would think a dog would become weaker and more prone to accidents if they're never allowed to jump on/off something as simple as a couch, or are carried all the time. I work very hard at making sure Jackson is in tip top physical condition, he does a lot of swimming, a lot of balance work, perch work, uphill running, etc, and I believe it is because I allow him to USE these great muscles that he has. Now if you'd prefer to have dogs going up ramps/steps, and train it from the beginning, that's wonderful. I'm not saying it's not. But try getting a dog like Jackson to use them, you'll see what I mean, LOL....

You bring up a good point about strengthening through exercise; it helps not only muscles, but bones too. Ashley, Rory and Lane's mom, reminded me of this when I was worried about my boys doing the "pogo stick" jumping on hard floors. Max can jump 4 feet!

However, seeing Teddy jump off the firetruck bumper onto the pavement, it was clear the impact was too much for his leg. I was really worried he had hurt himself. I will continue lifting my guys out of the car, and my bed will remain on the floor (the boys do flying leaps to get to the window).

[R-Teddy]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I focus so much on legs that I forget about the spine. I have always heard that stairs are bad for dogs' backs, dogs of any size, and I have been meaning to search for vet articles on this. The damage usually isn't seen until old age, as happened with our Cockapoo. Now you have me thinking twice about the jumping on the couch.

You bring up a good point about strengthening through exercise; it helps not only muscles, but bones too. Ashley, Rory and Lane's mom, reminded me of this when I was worried about my boys doing the "pogo stick" jumping on hard floors. Max can jump 4 feet!

However, seeing Teddy jump off the firetruck bumper onto the pavement, it was clear the impact was too much for his leg. I was really worried he had hurt himself. I will continue lifting my guys out of the car, and my bed will remain on the floor (the boys do flying leaps to get to the window).

Athena at just 8 weeks old already has quite a jump on her. My daughter and I were talking about it just last night.........lol. I cant imagine how high she is going to jump when shes older.

Do they have agility for toy breeds???......lol

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by R-Teddy

Athena at just 8 weeks old already has quite a jump on her. My daughter and I were talking about it just last night.........lol. I cant imagine how high she is going to jump when shes older.

Do they have agility for toy breeds???......lol

Yes, there is agility for toy breeds. Check out the threads in the agility section.

Thank goodness Max has not figured out that he could easily jump over the baby gate. I bought the 2' high pen when he was a pup and went out the next day and bought the 4' high pen. Everyone who visits our house comments on how high Max can jump.

[docmartin]

This subject bothers me too. Crystal is circa 7 and a half pounds at 13 months. She's a free fall specialist! Jumping off beds is nothing to her and she can clear a 4'6" divan in a single leap with room to spare.

Recently we went from 1" deep soft pile carpets (plus thick underlay) to laminate throughout and I worry about her joints as she continues to fly around?

We've placed rugs as 'landing areas' around beds and chairs. However, if she can gain traverse while my back's turned. she'll even risk jumping from work surfaces in the kitchen.

Getting her to desist now would be similar a duck committing suicide by sinking!

I'm switching her probiotic to a joints aimed formula and try to get her to behave. From webcams we look at when she's totally alone (very rare instances), she careens around like a pin-ball, utilizing vertical surfaces as trajectory accelerators ! She's actually more akin to a cat than a dog.

I hope she quietens down with age (like her dad), but hopefully without the osteo arthritic damage I've accumulated over the decades!

[Britster]

Originally Posted by R-Teddy

Athena at just 8 weeks old already has quite a jump on her. My daughter and I were talking about it just last night.........lol. I cant imagine how high she is going to jump when shes older.

Do they have agility for toy breeds???......lol

Agility is a ton of fun. I've taken quite a few classes. Our last class had a Pap/Poodle mix that was about 7lbs, she was fantastic.

Check out this little Yorkie.

My Yorkie, Nellie, Doing Agility - YouTube