Puppy and her back legs.

[AmyPC]

I've got a bit of a question relating to my 5 month old puppy and her rear end.

She looks to walk fine - certainly runs about like a mad-dog, does flying leaps onto the couch (and people sitting on the couch

) and bounces around in a puppy-like way. Her back legs are nice and straight - not cow hocked or anything like that. She does have a wiggle/sway to her middle when she walks but it appears to be a puppylike thing (to my eyes anyway).

She does have some trouble pulling herself up onto things from a standing position though. For example the bed - she will sometimes manage to get up on it herself (not that she should be

) but often will put her front legs up and will then stand there like that looking for a boost the rest of the way. And she often does the same getting into the car (which is not a large car, by the way, it's a small hatchback).

Do you think this is normal giant-breed puppy development? I thought it might be due to the fairly heavy weight they carry at a young age. But could it possibly be sign of weak back legs/leg muscles/hips?

I may be a little paranoid as my last dog had extremely weak leg muscles due to torn ligament operations in her legs and athristis, etc., and often needed these boosts too. (Admittedly she was geriatric

)

Any thoughts?

 

[GAD]

It's my understanding that giant breed puppies should not be doing things like jumping up into cars and such. We made a point of not letting Cozy jump up/down from things bigger than steps until she was a year (And brother was I tired of lifting her!).

Cozy is 3 1/2 and still does what you describe. I don't think she has hip problems, but she's not as limber as Daisy who we call the Mountain Goat. I swear Daisy could climb to the roof peak and stand there all day.

When Cozy climbs on the couch it's a lot less graceful than Daisy.

GAD

 

[Lynne]

Amy, it doesn't sound like Rory's doing anything too unusual. Newfie pups are major klutzes at times. And why should she get herself up when she's got you to help her?

It doesn't sound like you've got anything to be concerned about.

 

[AmyPC]

Thanks for both your opinions. I feel she might just be a little lazy in that respect.

We try not to let her jump on and off things but feel okay about her climbing on and off things. She usually does that belly slide thing off the bed, out of the car, etc. (front legs slide to the ground and then pulling herself out or off).

[This message has been edited by AmyPC (edited 03-06-2001).]

 

[Briggsbay]

Hi,

I know I am a little late with this reply,
but here goes anyway.

I think your puppy just hasn't learned to
jump yet, and if you don't teach the pup, you
will be lifting him/her up forever.

All of my dogs jump in and out of the car
(suburban), on and off the grooming table,
and anything else they can find to jump on.
I encourage the jumping - I have a bad back,
so lifting is not an option. My dogs have
all OFA'd clear on both hips and elbows. These are working dogs and they should be
able to jump. It is much easier to teach
them to jump when they are young, than when
they are older and set in their ways ......just my humble opinion....

Wendy
Briggsbay Newfoundlands

 

[Theresa]

Boomer can jump up into the SUV and onto the bed. He also gets up on the couch too. Malia on the other hand doesn't jump because of her bad hip. Wendy, I know what you mean about it being nice that they can get into the vehicle. I had two back surgeries so lifing them up into my Durango isn't easy. When I went to pick up Boomer from the vet, I thought I'd bring Malia along being that she was eager for a ride. My husband wasn't home so I had to get her up into the Durango myself (my back was killing me big time). I finally hoisted her in and she went out the front (passenger side!). I couldn't help but wonder if my neighbors where watching me. She came around again and looked at me as to to say "'cmon, help me up again!" I finally got her up but it hurt my back so bad. As for jumping up onto people, they don't do that.

 

[AmyPC]

Oh no, conflicting answers!

(There always seem to be some differences of opinion when it comes to raising something - be it a dog, children, or whatever).

I'm hoping it(her jumping / climbing) will just evolve. She is starting to jump on the bed more and more (I want to teach her to only come up when invited, but that's a whole other thread

). Occasionally she will get in the car herself but struggles. She is sometimes jumping on people with her front legs, which I hate - very embarrassing - so we're trying to discourage that.

Briggsbay - I see where you're coming from when you say they're working dogs and should be able to jump. Something I have observed from Newf-L in particular is that many of the dogs seem to be treated something like toy poodles in terms of delicateness.

When I was talking to my obedience trainer about Rory, and being worried about unintentionally hurting her, he looked at me and said - "these dogs traditionally jump from boats into freezing cold water. A pull on the lead is not going to hurt her." I kind of see his point.

Still, I think I'll let it all just come along as it is. I figure I'm not going to make her climb up on things herself but if she does it voluntarily, all the better for me.

 

[GAD]

To clarify:

I was taught that they shouldn't jump as puppies (for a year). Once their hips are developed I think they should be able to do whatever they need to do.

GAD