Hello Tayra, Pup is old enough that's not likely the reason why they are not jumping up on something like the couch anymore - they will have the majority of their height most likely by now, and be adding mostly muscle, with joints and bones changing for a bit longer. I am not a vet though. Pup likely lacks the confidence to, believes it's not acceptable, or simply doesn't realize they can, unless there is an anatomical issue preventing them, like a hip or joint issue - I am not a vet, consult your vet if that's suspected. Because joints and bones are still changing for a bit longer, I wouldn't encourage any intense jumping like high agility jumps, but pup can likely navigate smaller things with some confidence building and realizing that you find it acceptable. You can start by working on jumping in general, creating something like an agility jump but laying the pole on the ground and rewarding pup for walking over it, through the jump poles. As pup improves, raise the height of the pole by 1-2 inches at a time - only increasing the height when pup has fully masted and feels confident at the current height. Give pup a command like Up or Jump when they go over it. Once they can jump over the pole high enough to be able to make the jump to the couch, then place the jump against the couch and encourage them to jump over it, onto the couch, and praise and reward heavily when they do. You can also place something like bed stairs at the base of the couch and reward pup for going up and down those, then remove them and just use a small step up like a thick book, then remove the book too, so pup is jumping onto the couch. If you find pup still can't do these things, I suggest consulting your vet to rule out something physical. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

June 25, 2020

Hello Victoria, First, I would check with your vet. Anatomical issues, like hip and join issues or pain can be the reason for a dog not jumping, especially a large breed like a Dane. I would check first with your vet to make sure pup can safely jump since they are hesitant to. I am not a vet. If the issue really is just a lack of confidence, set up an agility type jumping bar. Have the poles (or whatever will be holding the bar, set up on either side but instead of putting the bar in the middle, lay it on the floor between the poles. Encourage pup across it and reward. Practice this until pup happily goes through the bars. Very incrementally raise the jar, starting with it being just a couple of inches above the ground. Reward pup for stepping over it. As pup improves, raise the bar by just a couple of inches at a time. Only increasing the height when pup goes over it with ease. Eventually the bar should be raised high enough that pup has to jump over it to earn the reward. Place something like chairs on either side of the poles if pup tends to try to just go around instead of over it - so that pup only gets the reward if they go over and through the poles, not around. Keep this game fun and go at pup's own speed - going slow can also help pup gradually build up the muscles needed to jump safely - like exercise training would. Give pup a command like Up or Over each time you practice, so that you can use that command later for the car and other places. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

June 24, 2020