So I've been reading up on Patellar Luxation. I am wondering how much I need to worry about this with Moose.


Our bed is about 2 1/2 ft or a tad more tall from floor to comforter. I built him doggie steps (from three crates zip tied together with carpet on top) and it works like a charm. I keep it on my side of the bed (which is furthest from the door). He uses them to go up. But when he wants to come down he jumps off the bed nearest the door. Should I not allow him to do this? He is fine doing it and will (so far) not jump from places he is afraid of like the top of the couch or my arms, etc. But I worry about the long term affects of this.

Now that I write it out it seems silly I think.... I should move the stairs or have one on each side. Just b/c he can do it now doesn't mean that he won't get hurt right?

I know it will depend on the dogs size, but how are you really to determine what IS a safe jumping height?

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Moose and Mama

I think you've answered your own question, I would try to discourage any sort of jumping to be on the safe side. My Bella had LP surgery last year and I have steps everywhere now, although sometimes she still jumps even when the steps are right next to her, little monkey.

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Willow, Bella & Alfie

Our bed is 30 inches from the floor to the comforter. Jaxx has jumped off of it once and it scared the whits out of me. Especially since he landed in a roll. We have been talking about getting steps for Jaxx. Right now though the bed is somewhere he can't get into unless we put him there and we are always in it with him. If Jaxx even goes near the edge of the bed I tell him no and he walks away from it.

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I discourage pets on the bed anymore, except the cat - oh well!

Anyway, Angel sleeps in a crate, and is not allowed on furniture unless he is placed there. And I try, don't always succeed, but try to put him on the floor when it comes to getting down. When we are not going to be with him, he is in his crate, because he can get hurt when we are not there. But, I had a mini-dachshund once that put his back out jumping off the bed, which at that time was very low! OMG! I had never heard a dog "cry" before. It was horrible! He was trying to walk, dragging his hind legs! I immediately took him to the vet. They gave me pain meds, and said to make him rest and he would be fine. Just like with humans, rest an it will heal itself. If I opted for surgery it would have been $2000 and it was a 50/50 gamble. This was over 30 years ago. He ended being fine! But no more furniture for pets anymore.

But, everyone has their own comfort level.

You could make another set of steps and put them where he likes to get down?

I will have to make another set of stairs. He loves to be in bed with us and I like it too! Between two kids, two cats and Moose, there is always more than hubby and myself in our bed! I will just have to train him to get up AND down that way.

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Moose and Mama