Are 2 steps and jumping on and off of a couch really such big concerns??

[OscarsMom]

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I was told on another board that I should not allow my Oscar to go up and down the 2 steps in my house he has access to..and to never allow him to jump onto or off of my couch..??Are these dogs really that frail??I mean I know I have to be careful and use common sense but this seems a bit over and beyond..or am I wrong here?<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm18.gif" border=0>

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To look into the eyes of a devoted pet..is to see what love really is.*Member of Dachshund Rescue of North America*

[dutchman]

You will get mixed answers to your question. The two steps I wouldn't worry about. The couch would depend on the individual dog. I let my boys go up and down the full flight of stairs to the basement if they want to. They both get up and down on the chair and couch in the living room. I prefer to help them in and out of my bed and Tanner (a mini) need help to get in but Frank (a standard) will jump in before I can offer to help.

If a dog ever start to show signs of a back problem all climbing and jumping should cease immediately. If they have recovered from a back problem they should not be jumping. Some people will say jumping can lead to back problems and injuries often do occur when jumping but many people feel genetics play a much bigger role. It is easier to restrict these activities if problems do appear when the dog has not been allowed to do such things at will.

I lost one girl to back problems and one of the girls my folks has when I was growing up had a brief episode but recovered.

You will have to decide for yourself. You may add a slight amount of risk allowing these activities but you are also cutting out something the dogs seem to enjoy and take to quite naturally. I've opted for a little risk in our lives you may choose not to take the risk.

Good luck,

Tom and the Boys (Frank and Tanner)

[Penny's Aunt]

The vet I used to work for was asked that kind of question about a minidachsie. He said that a dog that is kept slim & in good, active shape is less likely to develop back problems than a couch potato that was lifted & carried everywhere. These people had just bought a house on the side of a hill, & between the garage & the house was a long staircase; they wondered of they should install some kind of dog elevator (pulley, rope & crate). He said not unless she showed signs of problems.

[OwnedByChaucer]

Not that i'm an expert, but I tend to line up with the "it's a dog, he's meant to chase badgers, obviously they are not that frail" line of reasoning. I say this mostly about Chaucer, who at nearly 16 lbs (nice example of a pet store dog that's supposed to be a mini) doesn't have any trouble getting up on furniture. Of course, we have futons and mostly lower style furniture. As for stairs, he goes up but won't go down, so he gets carried. Our vet says down is more of a problem than up anyway.

Frankly, I worry more about the way he and his 4.6 pound (whoo hoo, that's a pound in the last three weeks!) sister wrestle and tear around the house like a couple of tornados.

[Krista]

Two steps, I see no problem with, A Flight of steeper steps that they use a lot, well that I would not do.

I let my two, one a mini and one a ??? (either will be large tweenie or small standard when full grown) jump on/off our couch, but it is very low -about 18". I have taught them to sit at the foot/edge of the bed if they want up/down so I can lift them. We also have cushy carpet, which helps make it a little less jarring on the joints for them to get off the couch.

I think weight is a MAJOR factor -both my boys are at the Perfect weight for them, and we get daily excersize to help maintain flexibility -which I think is also very important.

The past few cases I have heard anbout are actually where the pupper FALLS off the bed/couch. It can even happen when the baby twists wrong tearing around the house/yard.

I think health and genetics are the most important preventative, but as I said, I worry about constant stairclimbing too or higher jumps. I will be adding glucosamine and chondritin supplements when my pupper is an adult most likely as another way to help their joints.

[Cindi]

Jumping on things is not the problem. It's the concussion that goes from shoulders down the spine when they jump off of things that is the problem. I have two pillows stacked in front of my couch and a pillow 'ramp' to the bed that the dogs all use for getting on and off. I have always lived in 2 story houses and for 20 years have had no problems with the dogs. I actually think that when they take them at a normal speed (sometimes speed is their downfall - nn pun intended) it helps keep the back flexible.
And as everyone else has stated, weight is a biggie to keeping a dog healthy.

[Kayla]

I don't think it's that much of a problem. My father is handicapped and we have wheelchair ramps that Luke and Lady use outside. Inside they jump off and on the couch expertly, but they get help with beds because they're too high.