Suddenly won't jump
 

Hi all, our little guy, Parker, suddenly won't jump into the couch. It was a sudden thing like within hours. He seemed fine at lunch and by the evening he wouldn't get on the couch by himself and when he did it was a struggle. I have felt all over for discomfort and he doesn't seem to have any! Help!

Oh, poor baby! Dogs can only tell us when something is wrong by their behavior. The first thing you need to do is get him checked out with a vet who can check him for orthopedic/neurological/GI problems. He's not jumping due to pain or something preventing his wanting or ability to jump. He could have injured himself somehow from falling off the bed, couch, steps to missing a jump or suddenly developed a little arthritis in a major joint or tumor on his spinal cord to merely having bad gas, tummy troubles.

Dogs usually only react to sudden or surprising pain but go stoic and instinctively try to hide their pain from their fellow pack member(s) for fear of being abandoned or attacked in their weakness, a holdover from their natural wild side. Despite centuries of domestication, it is surprising how much of that stoicism remains in dogs who almost always fail to show how much pain they are experiencing, even to those who love them the most.

That is why a vet visit is always in order anytime a dog's behavior changes, from suddenly growling, snapping at us to failing to do something he always does to isolating himself, shaking, sudden clinginess, refusing food/treats, toys, etc. Just because a dog can be incited to eat, run or play at times doesn't mean he is well. Call you vet and get him examined, x-rayed now. He could be in pain and waiting for you to help him.

Please keep us updated on what the vet says and how your little guy is doing. I'll be praying for the best outcome.

This old findavet article from YT's Emergency Library might help also:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/eme...-dog-pain.html

Here is part of that article below. Note the bolded section:

What are the Symptoms that My Dog is in Pain?

“The first rule is to assume pain is present if it seems logical after an injury, surgery or medical condition that would be painful for us,” Aldridge said. “You watch for the subtle signs: your pet is hiding or lethargic, less active, eating less … your dog shows unusual reactions when handled, such as whining or acting aggressive. Any change in behavior can signal pain and should be checked out by your veterinarian.”

The ASPCA concurs: “Irregular behavior patterns are often the first sign that your pet is ill or in pain.”

Along with the pain symptoms Aldridge mentioned, these are some of the other signals to look for, according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA):

Enlarged pupils
Flattened ears
Hair standing up in places
Restlessness
Excessive panting when resting
Repetitively getting up and lying down again
Continually licking or scratching one particular area
*Clinginess/neediness
*Shaking or trembling

Call your vet if your dog is showing any of these signs. If your dog has a disease or medical condition, the ASPCA offers this advice: “If you’re unsure of how much your pet is suffering, keep a daily record of good days and bad days. It’s also important to ask your veterinarian for the exact signs of suffering likely to be associated with your pet’s condition or disease.”

Ohh thank you! He went poop and his attitude immediately changed for the better, he started chasing the cat. He still won't jump on the couch but just climbed the baby gate! Will keep a close eye on him today and tomorrow and call the vet!

You might want to have his knees checked out by the vet.

Climbing and jumping require different muscles and skills so please don't rule out that your dog is in pain as a reason he won't even try to jump on the couch until you've had his vet check him ASAP. You would feel terrible if he is really hurting and you didn't find out until Monday or something. Truly, for a dog to limit himself from something he ordinarily does is worrisome as to why he's not behaving normally. Why put off off calling your vet? He won't mind - that's his job.

A Yorkie, by genetics, can have episodic knee issues wherein a knee may pop out and then often back in on their own. A vet can check to see if it is likely occurring or not. Your vet can monitor to see if it reaches a stage that could benefit from intervention .

This may seem an off the wall thought, but our dogs in the past have issues jumping for two reasons, they had hurt/traumatized themselves or they gained a good bit of weight recently. Mostly it's been the later, so it could be a recent weight gain or maybe they just ate alot and weighed a bit at the time.

Like others said, I'd definitely have his knees checked for LP (luxating patella) next time you're at the vet...it's nothing urgent, but it'd be good to check out.

dog
 

I don't like my Yorkies jumping off the couch. Accidents happen so fast. I have a small set of steps covered with material and they use those. Yorkie legs are fragile and it takes one bad jump to break a bone.

Unfortunately, sometimes they do it whether we like it or not. I have stairs...Sheldon will NOT use them. He did for a few days, then decided that jumping is just easier (and probably more fun...lol). Fortunately, our couch is a low couch, only about 18 inches tall at the top of the sitting cushions. I definitely understand the OPs plight with having a jumper.