How to stop my Dachshund puppy from jumping on furniture to protect his spine?

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Being aware of IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) when you have a dachshund is very important. Pet insurance is also a very good idea. To decrease the risk of spinal injury/disease you should try to avoid jumping (up/down couches, into cars, etc.), however most times the injury occurs due to the formation of the spine, and this can only be prevented by not breeding dogs to be short and long. With Bow, this isn't an option for this life. Dogs often will become injured just walking, and cannot be prevented, so if he does get an injury don't feel bad, there likely was nothing you could have done to prevent it. You should be aware of the signs of spinal disease, and also be aware that early treatment carries a much better prognosis. Any signs of walking wobbly, dragging back feet, hunched back, reluctance to walk up/down stairs, or signs of paralysis, don't wait, and go to a vet right away. Some spinal disease can be treated just with pain medications and time and cage rest, but others need surgery and surgery has a much better prognosis to return of function if performed very soon after the injury occurs. These surgeries are expensive, therefore pet insurance is highly recommended. Best of luck with Bow, I hope his spine stays nice and happy!

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.

Thank you for using PetCoach. Dachunds are genetically prone to IVDD or "slipped" disc due to their long backs and type of cartilage between the vertebra. Trying to limit jumping, walking on hind legs and making sure Oscar is trim and slim can all help reduce his risk of disc disease. Here are some articles that give more in depth information. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4953012 http://therehabvet.com/2017/09/what-is-ivdd/

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!

It sounds like she could have a problem with her back. Intervertebral disc disease is very common in the dachshund breed and she may have a disc that is starting to herniate. She needs to be examined by a vet to evaluate her back and determine the best treatment plan. Your vet may need to take an x-ray of her back. Anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxers, and pain medications are used to treat this condition, as well as strict rest. No jumping, running, or playing for 3-6 weeks. Please call your vet and have her seen as soon as possible. Hope she feels better soon!

I bet Hugo is just adorable!! You are correct that Dachshunds are prone to spinal issues. I would recommend finding a well-fitting harness for Hugo so that he can continue to enjoy walks-this will take pressure off his neck and reduce the likelihood of cervical/neck problems. I would also recommend enrolling Hugo and yourself in an obedience class so that he learns how to walk correctly on a leash-this will prevent him from pulling and can also help reduce the chances of problems. Monitor Hugo carefully-if you notice weakness or pain during movement, if he seems to have have problems with bowel or bladder function, or he is not interested in running and playing as usual these can all be indications of a spinal problem and you should contact your regular veterinarian immediately. Consider getting Hugo some little stairs so he doesn’t have to jump onto the couch (if you let him on the furniture), or train him to wait for someone to lift him up and down. I hope these suggestions have been helpful-good luck!

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!