Sausage Dogs & Back Injury Prevention: Lajka Tries Doggie Stairs

Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela.

Having had two big dogs who jump up on the bed without any reluctance (yes, I am that type of dog owner who allows her animals on the bed, big mistake), I never thought of them needing any help to get up there. Then Lajka joined the bunch, and of course, within a week, realized that my bed is so much cozier than hers. And she started jumping up and down. With her being a sausage dog and having a long back and short legs, I started worrying about how a small seemingly irrelevant thing like jumping up could have dire health consequences over time. So, I got some doggie steps.

Cats Love Them

It was interesting to see different reactions from all the pets. The kittens started using it within a couple of days, and found it a nice resting spot, as it’s very close to the wood burner. Miki, my almost 2-year-old cat, didn't seem as keen to use it, and will still go around when he wants to jump up on the bed. The big dogs, Lava and Hela, mostly found it a nuisance. Now they need to go around the steps to get close to the bed and jump up. Hela showed a little bit of interest in actually using them, but she is still unsure what to think of it and would rather go around. Lava, on the other hand, being a sensitive soul, is now even more confused and gets frustrated, as she doesn’t know from which side to approach the bed.

Lajka Took Some Time to Get Used to Them

For the first few days, Lajka was finding ways to avoid using the steps, and you could see she was very proud of herself for continuing to jump up and down from the bed. As if she saw the steps as an obstacle or even a challenge, something to be avoided. I had to put a little chair next to the bed to make it more difficult for her to find ways to get up around the steps, so she would be more inclined to use them. Offering treats and praise, and physically showing her the way up and down for a couple of days, seemed to have finally done the trick. She will still occasionally jump up or down from the bed, but now she is more insistent on using the steps. It’s interesting to see that something new, something she’s never seen or used before, has now quickly become just another random everyday habit.

However, There Is Another Risk Factor

And that’s the rough playing and wrestling Hela and Lajka do for hours every day. Everywhere, on the floor, on the bed, and outside during walks. It’s intense, but it’s clear they have a lot of trust in each other, and they are having so much fun. And it’s harmless, for the most part. Although, looking at how Lajka throws herself around, and walks underneath Hela, then jumps up on her, with Hela wrestling her to the ground, gets me worried that she may injure herself. After all, there is a more than 20-lb weight difference between them.

Prevention Is Key

Having a sausage dog who is prone to spinal issues, it’s important to take steps to prevent any injuries. They may still happen, but this way, I feel more reassured that I am doing what I can on my part. And restricting her activity at such a young age, seeing how happy it makes her, is really not an option. So for now, I supervise all their playtime, in order to give them a time out when they look like they’re overdoing it, so Lajka can rest and we can hopefully avoid any accidents. I also suspect that with time, their playing will slightly reduce, or at least become less wild, especially in the summer when the walks get longer, and the weather is warmer. In the meantime, it’s little things like using the steps to get up and down from the bed, to ensure her back is not under any strain, which will go a long way to reduce the chances of back injuries. Plus, the kittens love and approve of it, so that’s always a plus!