Have you noticed that your dog has stopped jumping on you when you come home or is reluctant to hop up on the bed? Then you might be wondering what’s going on and if your dog is ill.
Fortunately, I’ve got you covered with 8 reasons why your dog might be scared to jump up or down. Just keep on reading.
8 Reasons Why Your Dog Has Stopped Jumping
Most dogs love to jump and use it to express their feelings, establish dominance, and burn off some of their endless supply of energy.
In most cases, you have to teach your dog not to jump on furniture or people.
So, when your pet refuses to jump or seems reluctant to get off the bed/couch, you have a good reason to be worried.
I’ve got a few suggestions about what might be going on, but a vet visit is always the best move for an accurate diagnosis. Some causes are more concerning than others, and the sooner you catch them, the better.
You’ll see why in a couple of minutes.
#1 Injury
One of the most likely reasons for jumping difficulties is an injury. Dogs may be agile, but they’re definitely not invincible.
Landing the wrong way from even a short height can damage ligaments, strain muscles, or even fracture limbs—especially in smaller breeds. Even jumping off the couch or out of your arms can result in serious injury. And when trauma involves the spine or joints, the pain can be excruciating.
Trauma to the back, rear legs, muscles, and hips can make it painful to move, stretch, and jump. You’ll usually notice that your dog won’t jump and is shaking if they’re in pain.
Patting your dog around the injury site might lead to yelping, growling, and crying, depending on how severe the injury is.
Keep in mind that some breeds are more prone to injuries than others. I’m talking about toy breeds, such as Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and Pomeranians. Trauma is one of the leading causes of death in toy breeds, so you have to act in time.
#2 Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common culprits behind jumping hesitancy, especially in older dogs. Over time, the cartilage that cushions your dog’s joints breaks down, leading to inflammation, stiffness, and—you guessed it—painful movement.
Signs your dog may be suffering from arthritis include:
- Lameness or stiffness after resting
- Trouble going up stairs or jumping
- Sensitivity to touch
- Decreased energy or weight gain
It’s heartbreaking to see your once-bouncy pup slow down, but there are effective treatments available. From prescription medications to joint supplements—and even CBD oil—there are options to help manage their pain.
Some breeds are more susceptible than others. Larger dogs are more likely to develop arthritis, such as Labradors, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers. Again, talk to your vet. There are so many excellent pain medications these days that help arthritic dogs lead longer, happier, and fuller lives.
If you don’t want to go the more natural route, though, you could try CBD oil for dogs. I’ve had great experiences with it!
#3 IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease)
Back issues can compromise your dog’s ability to jump and move.
One of the most common conditions in dogs that involve the back (and back legs) is a slipped disc, also known as intervertebral disc disease.
Your dog has cushioning discs between the vertebrae (bones) of their spine that are supposed to protect one of the most vulnerable parts – the spine.
Sometimes these discs degenerate and burst/bulge. When that happens, they press upon the spinal cord and the nerves.
The results are pain, nerve damage, and paralysis.
Other symptoms that suggest IVDD are:
- abnormal walking
- lameness
- hunched back
- reduced appetite
Breeds prone to slipped discs are German Shepherds, Dachshunds, Shih Tzu, and Basset Hounds.
So, if your adult German Shepherd won’t jump on the bed, you should have them examined as soon as possible.
#4 Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is so common in so many dogs that you’ll struggle to find breeds without hip dysplasia.
While it’s more prevalent in large and giant dogs, small ones can also be affected.
So, what is hip dysplasia? Think about the hip joints as a ball and a socket that fit slide smoothly when your dog walks.
In hip dysplasia, the ball and socket grind and rub because they don’t fit or they haven’t developed properly.
Common signs of hip dysplasia include:
- Decreased range of motion and activity
- Reluctance to jump, run, or play
- Reluctance to climb stairs
- Abnormal gait
- Pain and stiffness
Excessive growth, improper nutrition, and overweight contribute to hip dysplasia.
#5 Tick-Borne Disease
I’m sure that you’ve had to remove ticks from your dog at least once in your lifetime.
Ticks feed off blood and carry many diseases that they can transfer to your dog if you don’t take tick preventive measures.
While lameness and walking difficulties are the last symptoms to come to your mind, they can be related to ticks.
For example, Lyme disease can cause swollen and painful joints, limping, and lameness.
Anaplasmosis also has similar symptoms along with low blood palettes.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever can also manifest with joint pain and fever.
So, if you’ve recently removed a tick from and you notice that your dog can’t jump, you should have them tested for tick-borne diseases and other related infections.
#6 Rear legs weakness & Neurological Conditions
Weakness in the rear legs can come from a host of neurological conditions, muscular degeneration, or even autoimmune diseases.
One example is Myasthenia Gravis, a neuromuscular disorder that causes extreme muscle weakness. Affected dogs may collapse after a walk, struggle to stand, or stop jumping altogether.
Other causes of hind leg weakness include:
- Tumors affecting the spine or nerves
- Diabetes or Cushing’s disease
- Spinal cord inflammation or degenerative myelopathy
Old age also can lead to muscle degeneration and joint/bone problems. Toxic poisoning, botulism, diabetes, cancer, and Cushing’s disease are also connected to rear leg weakness.
So, if you notice that your dog is lethargic, won’t jump, and lacks coordination/balance, you have to get them to the vet.
#7 Patella Luxation
Patella Luxation is another common condition for toy breeds, such as Chihuahua, Yorkies, Boston Terriers, and Pomeranians. Some large dogs like Great Pyrenees can also be affected.
Patella luxation might sound complicated, but it’s something simple – a kneecap that moves out of its usual place.
You’d think that it would hurt a lot, but once the initial discomfort wears off, your dog might seem fine.
However, patella luxation can lead to arthritis, changes in the hips, decreased mobility, and joint swelling/pain.
It’s not something that you can hope to get better in time.
So, if your Chihuahua won’t jump, you should have them checked for patellar luxation.
#8 Psychological Trauma or Negative Experience
Sometimes, the reason your dog won’t jump is more mental than physical. Is your dog scared to jump down or they’ve never been able to jump? Then, your pooch might have had a traumatic experience related to jumping.
Did your pup once slip while jumping off the couch or fall awkwardly after greeting visitors with an enthusiastic leap? Dogs have surprisingly good memories when it comes to painful experiences.
Even a leash getting caught mid-jump can be enough to scare them into staying grounded.
This kind of trauma can lead to anxiety or jumping difficulties, especially if it happened while greeting you or strangers at the door.
You can help your dog regain confidence with treats, gentle encouragement, and slow, positive reinforcement. But again—only after you’ve ruled out physical causes.
Conclusion
When your dog stops jumping, it’s easy to brush it off as aging or stubbornness. But in reality, this change can be a sign of deeper issues like neurological conditions, tick-borne illnesses, joint damage, or even tumors.
Don’t wait to get help. An accurate diagnosis through a thorough physical exam, bloodwork, and maybe even x-rays can make all the difference—especially if your dog is dealing with severe pain.
Whether it’s a sprain, arthritis, or something more serious like Myasthenia Gravis, early intervention gives your dog the best chance at bouncing back—literally!
So if your once-leapy greeter now skips the post-work greetings or avoids the bed like it’s lava, it’s time for a trip to the vet.
