Puppy and Stairs = Joint/Hip Issues?

[Megan - Finn]

My husband and I have a 10 week old GD. We have read that dogs can develop joint and hip problems from walking up and down the stairs.  We live on the 3rd floor of our apt building (no elevator) and are worried Finn will develop joint/hip issues. Finn does go up and down the stairs at less 10 times a day since he has a puppy bladder. Should we be concerned? Does going up and down the stairs really cause joint/hip issues in puppies? Thank you a head of time for your advice!  

[Karen & Maple]

Megan, thanks for bringing this up. I have the same senecio. A 12 week old, 3rd floor. When I asked my vet, she was not concerned. I'm still reluctant. I decided to let her master the last 3 steps from the doorway to the ground as I don't want her afraid of stairs. She's a mini, so hopefully it won't be too much to carry her. With your GD however, might be different story. How long are we suppose to carry? I heard a year?

[Megan - Finn]

I asked my vet too, he said it wasn't a concern either but things we read online has made us worry. My husband heard a year before walking up and down the stairs.  I probably wont be able to carry Finn much longer. :/ 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

All of my past dogs walked up and down full flights stairs from the time they were able to do it, and nobody ever developed joint or hip problems. Same with my childhood dogs and there were 4 flights of stairs in that house. 

Jumping is much more likely to cause joint or hip problems than walking up or down stairs. Of course, "walking" is the key word there. Keep them leashed to avoid their running or "flying" down the stairs, lol. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Mine pretty much did stairs when they were able too. I have just one flight up inside and a few step from outside to inside.

[jenn D]

I have to keep a gate up in front of our stairs. Brisby and Jake "fly" off from abot the 4th stair from the bottom. I have no doubt Pickles would try to join in if he could. I haven't tackled the "walk calmly up and down stairs" training yet. And you are right, Karen, they love to fly down!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

And, you can always carry a puppy while it is small.

[Julie and Max]

I have been looking into this too and most of the stuff that I read from vets said that it's the jumping activities that you need to watch for as a puppy, or too much running. That normal walking activities are good for them because it builds muscle to support the joints and hips. Most of the stuff I saw about going up and down stairs that was bad, well there didn't seem to be any qualifications from the writers such as being a vet or anything. Like Jenn said, flying down the stairs is probably not good but if the puppy walks or like Karen said use a leash. 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I have always been careful with puppy joints and been careful not to over exercise on hard ground. This subject has recently become hugely important since Boris was diagnosed with Osteochondriatis Dissecens (OCD) in both his shoulders before Christmas. He has since had a major operation on both shoulders and we are undergoing intensive physiotherapy at the moment.  While there is a genetic basis for the disease I read on lots of interned vet med sites about the possibility of growing too fast and over exercise being a factor. Naturally we wracked our brains to think back if we had done anything that could have contributed and quite honestly apart from the fact that Boris plays with Riley we couldn't have done anything differently. We have no stairs. Off leash running took place in fields and beaches and Boris was on puppy food until he was a year old. I also talked to all the vets and every one of them said that I did nothing wrong. In other words genetics play a huge part, the jumping running etc at too early an age or too much may make a condition worse but isn't causative. Best advice is to hope you got a puppy from a reliable breeder with a proper genetic health warranty.

[Robin and Libby Louise]

How is Boris doing?  I know that's not the topic of this thread, but I've been wondering......:)

[Megan - Finn]

My husband and I really appreciate everybody's input! You have put out our mind at ease

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Hmmm, should I feel bad that I am throwing balls down the steps to wear down my 5 year old doodle as I read this discussion?

It's been a long winter and that is one way I entertain an energetic, bored dog.

But my thoughts are for a puppy, simple every day use of steps should be just fine.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I am assuming the stairs are carpeted or not the least bit slippery.  My standard poodle was walking quickly down some wood steps and slipped on the last two steps and tore his cruciate ligament on the landing!  I would have never in my wildest dreams thought this would happen.  We were not even playing a game!  Just an fyi!  It sounds like a great way to expend some energy, but out of my experience, I probably could not do it.