How old before they can jump from a bed?

[Cats307]

Max jumped off the bed a couple times when he was a wee one but he's a big boy at 7 months almost. He whines to get off the bed, still scared from when he was little...I think he was hurt so won't jump down. Tonight he decided to fly off the bed. Our bed is super short since Emma can't jump up but I don't want him getting use to jumping down. He didn't seem hurt by his flying trapeze act tonight..maybe I'm just babying him? I read how others jump off couches so if they are big enough I shouldn't chew out my hubby for not watching him closer?
Hes 5 1/2 lbs.

[lillymae]

Little dogs should never be allowed to jump off of furniture. Honestly, it's about the equivalent of you jumping from the roof of your car numerous times a day.

[Imissu]

Mine learned easily to use homemade steps, not from a pet store. I found store steps too narrow and my pup flipped over.
A ramp works well, too. She uses both.

[bjh]

I think it would really depend on how high your bed is. My bed is pretty high so I have a blanket box next to my bed so my yorkies can get up and down easily. I would say that if your bed it to high for him to jump on without assistance then it would not advisable to let him jump off. You could put a tote next to your bed and put a rug or towel over that for him to jump up and down easier. I also have a tote next to my couch so it is easier for mine to get up and down.

One of my fears about little dogs flying off furniture is that they can really get hurt. I know a person that had a small 6 month old pup that was very active and the pup jumped up on the back of their couch and decided to jump to the floor from the top and the poor pup broke her neck and died when she landed on the hard floor below. Really sad.

[matese]

I agree, these little under 7 pound pups should NOT be jumping off furniture. All my yorkies were bigger babies, 9, 2 @13, 17 pounds, my adopted boy is 12 pounds, jumping is ok for these teapot babies, but NOT for the tiny's.

[Micah my love]

I buy pet steps for mine to get on/off couch

[Bamboo15]

I think they do remember if they get hurt and then they do become scared. I agree that pet steps are best so they don't end up with knee problems. My first yorkie never learned to jump. The two I have now taught themselves. On the bed they'll use the steps. I have steps for the couch too but if they're on the other end of the couch they'll jump rather than walk to the other side to use the steps.

[magicgenie]

I use the steps especially made for small dogs and strictly forbid any jumping onto furniture. I'm also careful to explain all this to my puppy clients whose veterinarians are likely to be cavalier about blaming the breeder when knees go bad. My own personally owned dogs have never needed knee surgery.

[Maximo]

I agree with everyone above who recommends stairs and ramps. My boys are larger, 9 pounds, and I still don't want them jumping off beds or out of the car. They have strong knees/legs, no LP, but Yorkies have notoriously fragile legs.

Also important, the impact on the spine when jumping. My boys have both had scary muscle strains in the neck, shoulders, back area. I wish they wouldn't jump off the couch because I know the impact isn't good for them.

Stairs and ramps!

[Lizchloe]

I think it would be best to get doggie stairs, these guys are so little and it can be so easy for them to break a bone if jumping from beds or couches. I built Chloe 2 sets of stairs that goes with our bed and one set for the couch, it only took a couple of days to train her to use them (with some incentive from giving her treats when she went up and down). It's best to be safe than sorry.

[Cats307]

I was concerned about knee issues so he's not allowed on furniture. I guess me taking a bath without him in the room was too much for him last night so he jumped off the bed( he likes to curl up in my sweatshirts at night) We got the stairs for him when he was a pup and he won't use them. My bed isn't even Knee high but we have hardwood floors. With no carpet he slides on the floors too. I just read others who post their Yorkies jump off the couch but maybe those are bigger ones? Even if he's sitting on my lap he won't jump off so he must have hurt himself when he was little. Maybe I'll look for different stairs for him.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by magicgenie

I use the steps especially made for small dogs and strictly forbid any jumping onto furniture. I'm also careful to explain all this to my puppy clients whose veterinarians are likely to be cavalier about blaming the breeder when knees go bad. My own personally owned dogs have never needed knee surgery.

Yes, This !

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by Cats307

I was concerned about knee issues so he's not allowed on furniture. I guess me taking a bath without him in the room was too much for him last night so he jumped off the bed( he likes to curl up in my sweatshirts at night) We got the stairs for him when he was a pup and he won't use them. My bed isn't even Knee high but we have hardwood floors. With no carpet he slides on the floors too. I just read others who post their Yorkies jump off the couch but maybe those are bigger ones? Even if he's sitting on my lap he won't jump off so he must have hurt himself when he was little. Maybe I'll look for different stairs for him.

Even the bigger pups can & DO get spinal, neck & knee issues from stairs & furniture so in my opinion it's not good for any of them. Over time it all adds up.

[Kat549]

I have pet steps both on my bed and the sofa in the sitting room and Tessa uses them all the time. Just safer and I bought some that look presentable too!

[canana]

Agreed with others. It's not an age thing, but rather a size thing. Small pups have very delicate joints/bones/legs. The last thing you want is for them to break a leg. It's very very sad and very very costly for surgery!