Newfies, stairs and arthritis

[Keira25]

I had posted previously that we lost our Keira back in October. We are planning on getting another Newfie, but don't want to bring one home until the summer, when I am off. My husband is retiring in December, so there could be a few months where we'll have to figure something out. (He has generously offered to retire early!) This is of course assuming we can get a puppy.
I spend my time reading about Newfie puppies, and even though it was only 10 years ago that Keira was a puppy, I can't remember a frickin' thing! I keep on reading about not letting the puppy climb stairs until they are mostly done growing. I don't remember that from when she was a puppy. We live in a ranch, but the dog obviously has to go outside. Do people just use a ramp, or is this not a big deal for 3 or 4 steps? I get not over-exercising them, but I remember taking her to puppy class and they had "free play" where play got rough. I assume this is also not advised. The reason I am obsessing about this is because Keira had pretty bad osteoarthritis in her low back and pelvic area. Her hips were perfect, her weight was good, and she was fed really high quality food and supplements. I remember at an early age, maybe a year or 2, mentioning to the vet that she seemed to get up too slowly, and the vet said basically she was a big dog, of course she will get up slowly. It was only when she had an acute episode at age 7 that x-rays were taken and the arthritis was discovered. If this is something I can control in any way, I want to do it. So my extremely long-winded question is, what do people advise for stairs and exercise, and what can I safely do to expend a puppy's energy?

 

[Whybu1]

As a member of the torn ACL club, Crycket suggests keeping the puppy from doing any hard playing until at least 18 months old. It is very hard (or near impossible if you have other dogs in the house). A few steps are not bad but keep an eye on any slick floors.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Hi, I'm Dawn, a complete Newf Nut! I spent my first year with my first puppy ever, Zeke lifting him until I could no longer. We only have 2 steps to our ranch. He still doesn't go up more than 2 stairs So I'm not sure if I recommend or not. He still gives me issues on un-carpeted stairs. Bad on my part!!!! I was told I'm a crazy woman, so with my second I did not do the same, Myra my second has issues Hard to say what's right or wrong but I'm sure you'll figure it out as you go along. Best newfie wishes! You sound like a great newf parent and I'm sure you will do what fits best!

 

[Keira25]

Thanks Cryket and Dawn. Keira also was not a fan of stairs from early on. I am concerned about making it worse by not getting her used to stairs early, but I also do not want a dog that's saddled with arthritis if I can help it. We have a portable ramp that Keira wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. Maybe if I use it from day one, the puppy will think it's normal. I will keep the dog out of rough play time. The other puppy parents will probably be happy. I got a few dirty looks during puppy class because Keira was twice the size of other dogs and they were all worried she would hurt their babies!

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Am on my 4th Newf (3rd puppy). Boy, am I a slow learner. LOL But our puppy class had them play but the trainer always stepped in if it was getting too rough. They do need the socialization with other pups. He also taught them to use a ramp and what a blessing. Traveler scoots up second we open the hatch of the Jeep. Gracie is almost 11...OMG, how did that happen...and is arthritic. I give her Dasuquin for her joints and it helps a lot. You might ask your vet about the age to start such a supplement. ALL of them had no problems with 2 to 5 steps off the decks. They do have to learn something about stairs. Same trainer even had Angus going down a fire escape (that was in advanced class...age 2). Basically, use your common sense and let them get used to different experiences. All my Newfs used to climb stairs to 2nd floor...UNTIL THE CAT TOLD THEM OTHERWISE!! Now even Traveler goes nose to nose with her on the 3rd step but no further. We have throw rugs around the house now for Gracie because she is afraid of slippery floors. Sorry this is so long. Hope you can find some helpful hints in it. Cheers!

 

[cmorgan.1505]

My Thor is almost 2 now and goes up and down stairs without any issues. We did not let him go up and down more than 4 stairs (our back deck) until he was about 9 months old. This did cause a few problems when it came time for him to go up and down larger sets of stairs, but with lots of string cheese and a lot of praise he now flies down stairs where I'm yelling at him to slow down.

 

[NinaA]

I don't think a few steps, as long as they're taken slowly, is a problem, but no jumping down the steps or out of the car. Before I knew, this caused one of our girls to have weak wrists. Also, stretch the ramp out but flat on the ground and teach the dog to walk on it in the flat position before you try anything else. Then, they should be much happier to use it going up into the car.

 

[Keira25]

Thanks for all the good advice! Planning for the next puppy helps me deal with missing Keira so much. She was our first Newf and we learned a lot, but realize there is still more to learn.

 

[MC Sullivan]

I had my husband build ramps for the front and back doors. So I guess I'm a little nuts but the dogs love them. We also have them learn how to use the stairs so as adults the dogs have a choice.

 

[Newfielover89]

I have an 11 week old puppy and I've been training dogs professionally for a while now. I've talked with some of my dog friends and we have basically agreed that there has to be a compromise. I allow teddy to go up and down some stairs sometimes, but I keep him leashed so that he goes slow. This way he learns to do them at a rate that won't hurt him. It's really funny actually because you can tell that he plans every single one of his steps. I don't let him do stairs everytime we go outside though, probably just once or twice a day.
I have a ramp for him too, but we haven't started using it yet. When he gets bigger he won't fit in my truck so it will mostly be for getting in and out of tr back of my truck when I can't lift him.

And as far as rough play goes, from day one I set a standard with my dogs. I've had teddy (the Newfie pup) for almost 4 weeks now. He and Reagan (my 2 year old border collie) know what they can and can't do. It just takes consistency, and I cut them off BEFORE the play gets rough so that they never get to the point of potential injury.