[DinahBeans]

Okay so being the mom of a baby basset I've been reading a lot about how important it is for bassets to steer clear of stairs of any kind or any jumping on/off beds, couches, etc. due to their developing joints being especially sensitive.

We are trying hard to keep Dinah from participating in these activities but even living in a small ranch-style house I'm finding it difficult to always keep her from them. Also, right now it's not a big deal to carry her downstairs with me when I do the laundry or check email in our basement but when she weighs 45/50 pounds it's going to be a big deal!

I understand the issue and I know it is important but I guess what I want to know is am I overreacting to what I've read? Is it really true that her joints can be damaged by jumping down from the couch or walking down one step to get to her potty spot in the yard? And what if she ever does fall off the bed (yes we're bad and we let her sleep with us) or down the stairs...?

Melanie

 

[Guest]

When bassets are pups you must be careful as they can damage joints. It was hard to keep mine from jumping off of furniture and they eventually won but until they are 9 months old I would try to be careful. Good Luck yvonne

 

[Guest]

Annie fell head first down our stairs at 8 weeks old and thank God she wasn't hurt but scared the heck out of herself. Our vet said we were very lucky!

To this day she won't go down our stairs or at other people's homes but will go down steps if they are outdoors.

You have to watch them like kids but worth every second...

Kathy

 

[Guest]

I spent $4,000 on spinal surgery on Molly 1 1/2 yrs. ago. She herniated 2 discs in her back. I am 90% sure the injuries were from jumping on and off the bed, and I don't think agility training helped either. Bassets are long-backed, short, heavy dogs. NOT border collies. Note how I didn't capitolize the name of THAT breed! YUK! It kills me when I see all of the pictures on this forum of Bassets on human beds and couches. Please take care, Belinda.

 

[Guest]

Jasmine is 7 months old and we lost the battle of keeping her off the couches . We've got a three story house, so it's a battle to keep her off the stairs (she's gotten past us about a dozen times so far, and loves to run straight to our room and up on the bed!), but we just try to keep the door to the hallway closed. We've found a child gate to be very handy when we're staying with family with stairs, and at home we make sure she's confined to only the lounge and kitchen. There is a step down to the garden, but that can't be helped.

 

[Guest]

I have taken off the frame and box spring from my bed, and now I have my king size matteresses on the floor. I did this about 5 years ago for my Golden Retreiver that was getting up there in years, and now it's perfect for my 2 year old Claire and my other low rider Porkchop!! It may not look as fancy, but it sure is worth it to me. I have also invested in my share of baby gates to keep the little monster secured.

 

[Lisacastle]

We do our best with Cooter and for the most part we lift him up and down on the beds etc. However when were gone during the day he will get up on the couch himself. Otherwise he whines and we lift : )

 

[Guest]

I just have several big cushions for him to jump down onto, so it is not jarring. I started doing that when toby was probably around 8 and he hurt his back one day He was always fine in that respect after that, and i have taught simon to jump onto them Of course sometimes Simon flies off the bed w/ out them

 

[Guest]

Stepstools. I have lots of stepstools so I guess I stand guilty of aiding and abetting.

[ January 09, 2006, 10:58 PM: Message edited by: Beverly Anne Cawley ]

 

[starr]

We have a really tall bed, so we're thinking about getting some stairs for Tootie to get up there. She's getting too heavy for me to lift up there.

 

[charvie]

We've ended up taking the legs off the couches (the bassets chewed almost through them anyway! *hehe*) so now people crouch to sit but it's easier on everyone ... and since we have little kids (a 3 and 5 year old) people don't look at us wierd when they see the short furnature *lol*

 

[Guest]

Er, I'm not trying to go against the general consensus or anything, but train your dog to stay off the furniture. It cuts out any risk to spinal damage. And stairs, I lived in a four story house until I moved into Barcelona, the best thing to so is let you dog get used to them. Opus was quite careful on them, but if your pup never learns to handle them she will always be unsure. Of course take you time with this too, attach the lead to her and walk up and down a few times every day, walking slowly and talking slowly, maybe saying 'slowly' as you do it. I did it with Opus when he was young and it worked a treat. Oh and one other thing, don't call your pup if you are on different levels, if you are upstairs don't call her, or vice versa, that makes them hurry to get to you (assuming they are not already under your feet). Good Luck!

 

[EleanorTheDog]

Eleanor is about 12 weeks, and we live in a no-step apartment. She's been great about not jumping off of the couch; we always lift her up and down when she tells us she wants up or down.

The only stairs she has to deal with are two big steps from the back porch to the yard, which we encounter 10 times a day (she still has such a small bladder!)

We still carry her down those, but she's getting heavy. At what point is she allowed to go up and down those? not until 9 months?

Thanks!

 

[Jeff&Sandy]

I suggested to Sandy that we not let Bessie on the couch or chairs but she wanted a lap hound. I now am trying to keep her down off the furniture but it is a battle royal...as a matter of fact she is on the sofa right now. :roll:

Rub my Belly?