Reg: 12-01-2005
Posts: 70
Loc: Northern California
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I was reading another post (the recent "pain tolerance" one) and someone mentioned not letting their dog jump and all these strategic ways to play fetch that minimize the dog's jumping. Is this just a precaution while they are young and still growing?
I have two malinois and they both LOVE to leap. My male is just turning 5 and will go out of his way to get all four feet off the ground when catching a ball, being rewarded with his tug, etc. My female is just over a year old and she has always been our "leaping lizard". When she was a baby she would jump in circles or bound through the grass for the fun of it. Now she also will do big leaps for a ball even if she is the one "throwing" it. Kind of like a seal? She will bounce her ball out of her mouth so she can leap and catch it.
So after that long description - my question is should I be allowing them (especially the one year old) to do so much jumping? One is from police lines and the other is from a big sport kennel and both are healthy.
Niomi Smith Webboard User Reg: 04-20-2009
Posts: 786
Loc: Whitehorse, Yukon
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I am not a vet, nor a "professional", but if they have been doing this for a while, then they have definitely built up the muscles to be able to handle the stress.
I wouldn't go out of my way to make them jump continuously in a "controlled" setting (ie when I start training for the a-frame I make sure to break up the training sessions so they aren't repeating the same jump over and over) but if they are out having fun chasing balls and jumping through the grass, I would let them have at 'er.
Chip Bridges Webboard User Reg: 03-29-2009
Posts: 280
Loc: Western North Carolina
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I can't speak for the Malinois specifically, but most dog owners using a spring pole don't introduce a dog to it until at least 18 months of age. I feel certain that has to do with possible injury to developing joints and ligaments. Rose is a leaping lizard, too, and was from a pup. I think all we can do is try to play on the softest, most level surfaces we can. They are amazingly resilient compared to us! After a hard fall, I always stop play and bring her inside, because I doubt she knows when to stop for her own good.
FWIW, a friend brought his Malinois to my house and that dog took to it like she had been on one all her life. I've had other dogs over that would bite/bark at the toy/lure but wouldn't hold on to it.
And to answer your question in bold, I honestly don't think there is much you can do to keep a young dog from jumping! Puppies that love to jump are going to jump. As long as they are coming down on all fours, it usually works out okay! I'd love to see your dogs.
Edited by Chip Bridges (06/07/2010 06:30 PM)
Edit reason: typo
Take a look at the Mal female doing the "dock leap" on the front page of Loup du Soleil (Michael Ellis's kennel). That dog set a new record for Mals. Those dogs are SOOOO athletic.
I agree with Chip. Once they are mature (past 18 months), in shape, lean, vet checked, it's a dog sport. There are lots of sports that involve leaping (Dock dogs, Disc Dogs, Vertical leap, even Schutzhund, etc, require some degree of leaping).
Unfortunately, freak accidents happen. Last month I read about a healthy young bird dog that fractured his femur jumping out of the box of a stationary truck.
A dog has alot of friends because he wags his tail instead of his mouth.
Here is Feist's page - he's Michael's "all everything" dog - highest titles in all the protection sports, OB, Flyball, Extreme Vertical, Dock dog, Agility, you name it. http://www.loupsdusoleil.com/litter_F_Feist.html (mods, hoping it's OK to post this here. If not, feel free to delete).
In the gallery section, there is a picture of Fiest doing a "boing" (leaping straight up in the air). Apparently, he's another Mal who likes to jump!!
A dog has alot of friends because he wags his tail instead of his mouth.
Reg: 12-01-2005
Posts: 70
Loc: Northern California
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your kind and helpful replies! That Feist is amazing - what cool pics. I want to teach mine to "boing" now. I've been doing schutzhund the last few years with my male but I don't really enjoy it that much and don't want to start it with my female. I'm more experienced now so I do basic training things to keep her mind occupied but I am resisting doing the formal schutzhund thing for my own sanity. I had no idea there were so many other dog sports. I might look into one of those instead.
Thanks again for all your help! I am trying to figure out how to put a pic in my signature so you can see them.
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Risk of Injury with jumping (malinois)
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