Will Jumping Off High Bed Increase Patella Issues?

[Brenda]

I've been told that you shouldn't let your dogs jump until they are a year old and their bones are stronger. I'm going to "try" to keep my puppy off the furniture till then just in case.

Interesting, I've been wondering about this. One year old - is this right? Can anyone confirm this?

[sramirez]

I have had a set of pet stairs next to my bed for about 4 years now. It's esp. important for a dog that has any type of neck/back issues as well. My dogs always use it to go up/down. It's a 3 stepper.

Sheri

[Karlin]

I've read a lkot of posts to various email lists where people's cavaliers have ended up with back and joint problems from jumping off high beds and couches -- especially young dogs or older dogs. So I'd definitely get a steps or stool of some sort (my parents need this too as their own and the guest bed is really, really high, like yours).

Petedge and Dr Foster and Smith and lots of websites sell carpeted stairs. My mom saw some at Target I think too.

[Lani]

Target does have some inexpensive ones and there is currently an ad on TV direct marketing "Doggy Steps" - I will post the details in the Shop-a-holics sections so people can check them out.

[Jen]

I would advise using steps or a foot stool of sorts. It's just easier on their joints.

[goldcountryrose]

Jen, your miniture snoz is so adorable.

Everyone, thanks again. I just felt that my instincts were right and that he shouldn't be jumping from such heights.

[*Jenný*]

We never had to think of this, becous Nóra allmost walked into our beds And Bono is too scared to jump up or down, bless him, he has so little heart
I know that big dogs, like Nóra, should not jump or walk up and down staris too much the first year. It can really desstroy theire knees and elbows.
But, it's good to know this for future dogs

[sramirez]

I purchased my stairs at Doolittle's PEt Products. U can find it on the web.

Sheri

[Forest]

We finally were able to get some steps for our girls. Unfortunately because they haven't always used them they don't use them all the time. However I have noteced that they use them quite a bit to get off the bed but hardly ever to get on the bed. At least they use it in the right direction.
Julie and the girls

[sramirez]

The first night we got our stairs, I made a game of going up/down them. When they went up the stairs they got a little treat. Pretty soon they were just running up and down continuously

Sheri