Do you allow your dog to jump out of truck bed?

[ghosthunter]

I see folks all the time letting their retrievers jump in and out of truck beds. I thought it would be interesting to see what the forum thinks.

My fist lab I allowed to jump in and out of truck. Her joints started acting up at 10 years so I moved to a ramp. She passed at 12 years old.

While waiting for my 2 nd pup I researched and confirmed that jumping in and out of truck beds especially lifted trucks was bad for large breeds joints. So when my new pump arrived I taught her to use a ramp. And never allowed her to jump from the truck. I believe that decision paid off, as she is now 13 and will retrieve non stop until she runs out of air.

She’s a little slower but appears to have no joint problems.

Given The money and time that is put into a hunting dog these days, I find it interesting that a lot of guys and some trainers still allow their dogs to jump out of pickups. Why take the chance? I can’t see an upside to the practice.

[meathunter 4x4]

Great subject in my opinion that I have also wondered about. I had two labs from when I was 14 till I was 29 both great dogs one loved to get birds and one loved to find antlers both have sadly passed on now but I always had such a hard time letting them jump out of the pickup. If I could park the pickup and get out fast enough I would pack them both out which was hard to do with labs cause of the excitement. I consider myself lucky that they learned themselves quick that jumping out was not easy on them and they would eventually start waiting for me. No dogs at this point but I will always give them a hand getting out because I know hopping out of a pickup in the cold ain’t fun for my bones.

[EnglishSetter]

YA.  It's not good for 'em.