Do Corgis need stairs for furniture to prevent back injuries?

It's a good idea to get ramps or puppy steps to help Bow on and off the furniture to help prevent jumping, as dogs with long backs such as dachshunds can easily injure their backs. Bow should be able to climb stairs without the use of a ramp, as that does not involve jumping, but if he is having difficulty then a ramp is a good idea. Making sure there is enough traction on the surface (such as using carpeting) is important to reduce the risk of slipping and falling.

Congratulations on your new puppy Mia! Corgis are generally a healthy breed but they can have back issues, be prone to weight gain and have some dental issues. Important things are to feed a high-quality diet and make sure that she does not get heavy as this can strain her back. Get her used to brushing her teeth. You will need to use a dog toothpaste and brush four times or more a week. I recommend a diet such as Royal Canin or Purina pro plan. Lastly, puppies get more vaccines then adult dogs. Make sure to keep up with her vaccine schedule and avoid parks and other public areas until she is fully vaccinated. Due to the concern for back injuries with the breed, you may also try to train her to use stairs to get often on furniture. Puppies are much easier to train then adult dogs who get used to jumping up and down off of furniture. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I'm not sure what your question is exactly, or what answers you've received since we can't see answers from others. That said, if the stairs aren't too steep, I don't see the issue. The problem with long-bodied dogs happens when they have to climb often, or hop from high places, as it can cause injury to the back and muscles surrounding. If the stairs are very tall (and must be hopped up or down) or very steep, then adding a ramp or alternate way to get up them can help protect the back.

Small, long bodied dogs like Luna may be prone to more back and knee issues. Generally stairs are fine. Try to limit the jumping though. Try to train them to use doggie stairs to get on the furniture. Sometimes this is easier said than done :) Big things are to make sure they don't get heavy and to have them examined regularly for any signs of joint disease. Eventually they will likely go on a joint supplement as well to support good health. Hope this answers you question!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! In general, I'm not concerned about an otherwise healthy puppy doing stairs and small jumps. If the couch is particularly high, try to discourage this but otherwise I'm not terribly worried. That being said, I do occasionally see puppies who land too hard from a jump and are now limping with an apparent strain or sprain. Usually, a few days of rest and pain medication is all that is needed but it can still be scary. Of course, if there is an underlying problem, Coco would need to be more careful. Hope this sets your mind at ease. Best of luck to you and Coco!

To keep your puppy as safe as possible start training him now to learn that he shouldn’t jump up on things. It is also very important that you keep your dog and an appropriate weight. The more overweight the more prone they are to have issues with their joints, including their spines. It may also help to get small stairs or ottomans that he can climb onto to get onto the furniture so he won’t have to jump as far. You are obviously a good pet owner because you are so concerned about him already. As long as you keep him healthy and keep a close eye on him he will do great. Thanks for your question. If you have anymore questions please let us know. And thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello! There are a few issues that can cause slipping and sliding of the rear legs in Corgis. Musculoskeletal and neurological are the main causes. Your vet may have determined that Lily/ Augie Rose has some reflex or neurological deficits which may be why they believe it's more likely a neurological issue. Xrays can help determine if there is a musculoskeletal issue, and sometimes you can see mineralization in the spinal disk spaces. Chat with your vet about what else you can do to help her mobility. Sometimes dog "shoes" that allow better grip can help as well.