Hunting dogs love leaping down from your tailgate, but it can be dangerous. Here’s why

Jumping down from—or into—a pickup bed is effortless for most athletic hunting dogs. However, it can take its toll over time, leading to injuries and longer-term health problems.

Here’s what you need to know about dangerous dismounts, and how to avoid them.

THE PROBLEM

Sudden landings can cause muscle and ligament trauma in a dog, which can quickly end a hunt. Tearing the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), for example, is a relatively common and career-limiting injury for hunting dogs. Other elbow, shoulder and knee problems can also result from landing unevenly. And jarring impacts can stress the lower back muscles and vertebrae, potentially leading to slipped or herniated discs and long-term mobility issues.

Dogs with hip dysplasia, meanwhile, can exacerbate their joint instability through repeated jumping. High-impact landings can also fracture small bones in a dog’s front limbs, while awkward landings can cause toe dislocations and torn nails. Pelvis and femur fractures are possible, particularly in older dogs. Over the longer term, these injuries can lead to arthritis and chronic pain.

DOGS AT RISK

While jumping from the height of a tailgate is not safe for any dog, large breeds (especially if the dog is overweight) are at a higher risk. The same goes for elderly dogs, and breeds prone to joint issues. Take extra care with puppies, whose developing bones and growth plates are particularly vulnerable.

PRACTICAL PREVENTION

It’s relatively easy to avoid injury by using a pet step or ramp (pictured), which reduces the impact on joints. Or when practical, lift your dog out of the vehicle. Teaching a dog to wait and exit calmly rather than leaping out excitedly also minimizes the risks. A bonus to this behaviour is it allows you time to put on the dog’s collar—and share some face-level affection.