ASKDQ: My Dachshund has started yelping when he jumps off the sofa, but seems fine the rest of the time. Could this just be behavioural, or is something wrong?

A: Please don’t dismiss this one. Dachshunds, as much as we adore them and (try to) parent two of our own, are a breed with a significant anatomical vulnerability; their elongated spines and short legs put them at considerably higher risk of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) than most other breeds, and yelping on impact is one of the early warning signs that something may be going on with the spine or discs.

IVDD can range from mild discomfort to severe neurological compromise, and the tricky thing is that in its early stages, a dog can appear perfectly normal in between episodes of pain. So the picture you’re describing – fine most of the time, but yelping at that specific moment of impact – is exactly the kind of thing that warrants a proper examination.

In the meantime, it would be sensible to remove access to the sofa (or provide a ramp so he doesn’t need to jump at all), and avoid any activity that involves jumping, rough play, or stairs if you can manage it.

Please do book an appointment with your vet as soon as you can; this really shouldn’t be left to see how it develops. Caught early, many spinal issues in Dachshunds can be managed very effectively, but time does matter.