Dog wont jump

[AnitaSue]

Yogi, my 5 month old boxer boy, is long, lean, and lanky. Just the way he should be for his age. The problem I have is that he won't jump. As in jumping into the truck to go bye-bye, or jumping on the bed for sleepy time. He will put his front paws up on the seat or bed, and whine. How in the world do I get him to jump?? He won't even go up steps if there are more than one, and you end up having to lift him up for every step. The boy is getting bigger and I am not getting any stronger. Help Please!!!

 

[Roscoesmommy]

Roscoe is 11 months and still does this. I'm not sure why, but it doesnt really bother us because then he doesnt jump on places we dont want him. Does he jump any other time? If not, you may want to have him checked out by your vet just to be on the safe side.

 

[SAL42]

My Mojo was the same way, every week when we went to puppy classes I had to hoist him into and out of the jeep. At night he would sit for 10 minutes with his front feet on the bed waiting for me to help him up.

Now he's 15 months old and when we get to running around the house playing he'll leap over the back of the couch onto the cushions and over the coffee table with no problem. He even jumped onto the hood of the jeep a couple of months ago -- I still can't figure out where that came from. I was standing there talking to someone and the next thing I knew he was sitting on the hood.

Anyway, as long as the pup seems to be able to walk and run under normal conditions I wouldn't worry.

 

[billbgh]

Now he's 15 months old and when we get to running around the house playing he'll leap over the back of the couch onto the cushions and over the coffee table with no problem. He even jumped onto the hood of the jeep a couple of months ago -- I still can't figure out where that came from. I was standing there talking to someone and the next thing I knew he was sitting on the hood.

Anyway, as long as the pup seems to be able to walk and run under normal conditions I wouldn't worry.

Rocky can't jump and at this point, I am not encouraging it. He is very hyper, and pees as a response, so imagine that scene! If you want him to jump, just keep going through the motions, he'll get it eventually. However, if you keep helping him, he may just let you do all of the work!!
Apollo looks like a deer, plus he can stand and leap several feet in the air! They truly are amazing leapers once they figure out how.

Erin
Apollo & Rocky's mom

 

[sasmeow]

Gus is 9 months old and doing the same thing! I went thru this with Izzy too, but she was a little older, maybe like a year old or 18 months at the time. She is 2 years old now and doesn't do it anymore. I personally think it's a dominance thing... your dog is trying to dominate you !!! By lifting them up and you doing what THEY want, they are in charge, and you are the follower. Izzy always jumped into the car and then one day decided that she was just going to put her front paws in and have me lift her. I fell for it a few times, but after I figured out what it was all about, I would stand there until she jumped in. So now, with Gus, I am trying to just ignore him when he puts his big head on my bed, or front legs, wanting to get up and acting like he can't jump. He is getting better jumping into the car. I know he CAN jump because when we are outside playing he can jump up and his eyes are at eye level with mine, and I am 5'10'' tall!!! So, I know he has no problem jumping. If your boxer can jump other places, they can jump on the bed or in the car too!!! I think, especially in their "teenage" years, they are testing you more than ever. So, you have to let them know that YOU are in charge, and not THEM, or this could create problems down the road if they think they are the leader of the "pack". Just ignore them when they want help jumping, as hard as that is. I know it's very hard, cause they are just so darn cute and they look at you so pathetically like they can't jump. But don't fall for it!!!
Good Luck to everyone!!!

 

[Slobberkiss]

Lana used to do the same thing when she was little. We thought her to jump into the back of our SUV by taking her on her leash, showing her a treat, taking a few steps back and then running up towards the car. when you are almost there throw the treat into the back. she was so concentrated on the treat I don't think she even realized what happened until she jumped in.
Then switch over to getting inside, holding the treat and calling your puppy.
That worked great for us. I think they just try to see how much they can get a way with. And yes you are right lifting 60 lbs is not easy Good Luck.

 

[AnitaSue]

Many Thanks

Many thank yous for the feed back I have gotten. I kind of thought that it might be a "phase", but wasn't for sure. Yes, he can jump - as in chasing a ball or leaping over other things in his way. I also kind of thought it might be an eye-paw co-ordination thing. I really hadn't considered a dominance type of thing - but that does kind of make sense. Any way - I will most definitely try NOT to pick him up, no matter how loud he whines or how sad his eyes look!!!

 

[Joe Beam]

Chance is 6 months and he started out more as a climber. He would just get his front paws up and reach for a grip with his back leg. My bed is 32" tall so he couldn't get up at first. I encouraged him with a toy and he barely made the leap. A couple weeks later...he eventually got more power in his hind quarters and now he flies through the air and will jump on or off of anything.

As far as the whining to get up...I don't see that being a dominance issue if they're just a skinny pup. But I would have to agree with sasmeow, that if they can clearly jump in other situations then they are just being lazy and trying to manipulate you.

 

[Cyrus2005]

We had the same problem with Cyrus. He had no problem getting into my car, but our big lifted Blazer was very intimidating for him. He would try once, then get freaked out and no amount of coaxing and praise would work. He would just tuck his nub and give us the saddest looks. As SlobberKiss said, we used his most highly valued treats, and just threw them into the truck, and he just jumped in after them!! Now he has no issues jumping into most vehicles.