Cream Dogs Can't Jump*****UPDATE

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

********It is really unbelievable but not 15 minutes after I posted this - after spending 2 weeks trying to get Stuart to use that ottoman - he jumped right on it and then leapt on the bed.   What high value treat finally worked - none.  Dori had given Rooney a stuffed elephant for his b-day that Stuart adores.  I had walked past it on the floor and I flung in on the bed to get it out of the way - here came Stuart a flying!  He grabbed it and jumped back down the same way.  OMD I'm in shock, thanks Dori!  We then did a 3 more times just to make sure he got it and WE ARE GOOD.  Now if I could only get him to do better with the SUV.

I don't remember at what age Rooney learned to jump, I thought I would have to pick him up onto the bed forever and then one day (maybe 8 months?) he just started jumping up.  Stuart at 5 months seems to be getting better at running without falling or going ass over head, he is getting faster and more agile but he can't jump - at all.  So I had been lifting him on and off the bed, till recently when at 40 lbs - I can't lift him any longer.  This has caused more than a few issues.  I'm working with our trainer to try to teach him how to climb into the suv on his own and how to get back out.  I've shoved an ottoman up  against the bed to try to teach him to climb up and then onto the bed.  We are having limited success.  I place the snack on the ottoman and he'll place his front paws and chest up to get the snack but he then just stands there so I have to take his back leg and place it up and then do his other leg, then for another snack he'll once again place his paws and chest up on the bed but I then have to lift his hind legs one by one till he is up.  He also will not jump off the bed so I have to sort of slide him off.  I've had a spinal fusion and I simply can't lift this kind of weight without the fear of causing very serious damage to myself, anyone got any idea?

Here is a re-enactment (sorry about the un-made bed)

From here I lift his back legs up, because he won't.  LOL

Here he is on the footstool but he makes no effort to climb the rest of the way?!  So I once again have to lift his back legs up. 

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

I was thinking about how we are not supposed to run long distances with young puppies (as if) because their bones are not developed and maybe that is why they don't jump until they are a little older.... My bigger LD would not jump into the car even after the younger and smaller one was jumping up and over her to get in.  Jane's video is great and shows patience.  Stairs may have to be an option until Stuart gets a bit older.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Aw, silly Stuart! I think the advice that has already been given is good, so I'll just say how adorable he is. :-)

[Heather Martinez]

The funny thing about Teddy is he learned how to jump and then he kept forgetting or getting scared to do it. He's not allowed on furniture, but my husband taught him how to jump onto a series of low walls near our house. The walls are about 2 feet high and alongside the stairs. We have him jump up on the wall to brush him or to having some hugging time after walks. I think as he grew taller he would need to modify his jumping technique so he would periodically have trouble jumping up there! Recently, he learned how to jump from wall to wall (about 1 foot down, but he's on a narrow wall so it takes a bit of skill). He is so proud he wants to do it every time we pass the walls. 

When Teddy jumps, he kind of needs a running start. Putting his feet up and then trying to jump up his hind legs doesn't work, that is where he has problems when he forgets his technique. Maybe start teaching Stuart to jump up on something low, starting back a few feet. Then gradually work up to the bed.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Riley (almost five months now) jumps into the car, onto the couch but not onto the bed which is a bit higher so I lift him on in the mornings for cuddle time and lift him off after I have my shower and get dressed.  Lifting a 30lb dog is not easy and I do it by gathering him up with one arm around his front legs and the other one around the back legs!.  He did get down this morning by sliding his front legs and shoulders  onto the floor and the rest followed in a sort of plonk down which was really funny to watch.  As he is very agile I'm expecting that as he grows a bit more he will manage the jumping up on his own too.

I love the pictures of Stuart looking at Rooney as if to say 'how come you can get up there on your own'?

[Helen & Kirby]

I have a cream doodle too.  And no, she doesn't jump.  She used to somehow jump on the bed, then stay there for hours if I let her, because she was afraid to jump down.  So I got a padded bench and put it at the food of the bed and she goes up and down easily now.  Will she jump into the SUV?  No!  Not even with the bestest treats,  I've tried backing the car at an angle so the back end is really low, and she still won't jump into the car.  My vet says its a good thing.  I put her paws up, then count to three, and hoist the rest of her in.  Same thing with getting out of the car.  No, She won't jump out of the car.  sometimes I think thats a blessing, because when I open the back I never have to worry about her jumping out!  Again, she just leans into me, and I hoist her out.  I do have a ramp, but haven't tried training her to use it yet.  The ramp is very big and cumbersome and I just don't want to have to carry that ramp around in the car, along with such a big dog.  BTW Kirby is really tall, and weighs about 63 lbs.  I hear what you say about lifting a dog -- I've had back surgery too, and have to be very, very careful!  Someone should invent a pull out ramp that can attach to the underside of an SUV.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Jane,  Knox has finally mastered jumping into my Tahoe and he is nearly 20 months ago!! I thought he would never learn! He would put his front paws on the passenger seat and then look at me like he was saying, "Hey, will you help me PLEASE?" My friend, Christine, and her ALD, Shelby, thought he must have some kind of brain damage!  FINALLY, my DD took him somewhere in her smaller car and he got in by first getting in the floorboard and then moving his big butt onto the seat.  As soon as they got home, I made him practice in my Tahoe.  He did it!  I was so proud of him and call Christine immediately!!

 

He learned how to jump on our bed a long long time ago!  Kinda wish he didn't know as he can easily take up a third of it!!

[Becka]

This is somewhat unrelated, Jane, but I thought you'd find it amusing. Yesterday Sadie and I were leaving the dog park and this very large SUV pulled in next to me. The owners got around and went to the back, opened the door and pulled out a ramp. Between the size of the car and the ramp I was sure that an elderly Great Dane or something equally large was going to come down that ramp, but to my surprise two very elegant little Shelties followed each other down. Sadie was so distracted I couldn't get her to jump into the car (I have a small hatchback and jumping in and out isn't usually a problem for her) and the Shelties' owner asked me if I wanted to borrow the ramp!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Hunter doesn't jump to get on anything - no matter what - I have to pick up her hind legs to get her in the SUV!  She does what I call "wallering" to get up on the couch - she puts half her body on first and then one back leg, then the other. Nothing graceful about it at all! Hunter doesn't get to sleep in our bed :-( Or the kids - we have to keep her out of the hallway where the bedrooms are because of my youngest daughter's allergies.  She is not allergic to Hunter but has horrible mold, pollen, grass, tree, ragweed allergies and Hunter brings it in the house on her fur.  One day Hunter might have the luxury of the bed if Kelsey's allergy shots work!  She is going 2x a week 2 shots each time for 8 months and if they work she wants Hunter sleeping with her! Hunter better learn how to jump on her bed!