Dog Mobility Guides

Practical, sourced guides for dogs with weak or failing back legs: what's happening, how to care for them day to day, and how to get them walking again.

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Why is my dog losing use of their back legs?The common causes, what the signs mean, and when to see a vet. Caring for a dog with weak back legsBathroom help, stairs and floors, slings and harnesses, and the first days. How to measure your dog for a wheelchairOne measurement, the size chart and our fit finder. The OldPal rear support wheelchairFive sizes across nine height ranges, with the Fit Guarantee.
Adult brindle Boxer standing at the bottom of wooden back porch steps, leaning weight onto its front legs
Using a Sling for a Dog With Bad Back Legs
How to choose and use a sling for a dog with bad back legs: types, fit checks, safe lifting on stairs and at the car, and when a wheelchair works... Read more...
Adult Shih Tzu with a short haircut standing on backyard grass in afternoon sunlight
Choosing a Dog Wheelchair for Back Legs: A Shih Tzu Owner's Guide
A dog wheelchair for back legs Shih Tzu owners can trust starts with a vet visit and one measurement. Here is how sizing, fit and rear support really work. Read more...
Tan mixed breed dog standing on grass holding one back leg up and not putting weight on it
Dog Not Putting Weight on a Back Leg: What It Means
A dog putting no weight on a back leg needs a same day vet call. Learn the common causes, one leg vs both, and what to do safely at home... Read more...
Senior golden retriever standing on grass with weak back legs slightly lowered near a garden step
Harness for a Dog With Bad Back Legs: How to Choose and Use One
A harness for a dog with bad back legs takes weight off weak hips so they can walk and potty. How it works, harness vs collar, sizing, and when to... Read more...
Senior Labrador with weak back legs standing at the bottom of a carpeted staircase indoors
Dog With Bad Back Legs and Stairs: How to Keep Them Safe
A dog with bad back legs and stairs is a risky mix. Learn how to gate, sling support, go down one step at a time, and plan a day with... Read more...
Dachshund with IVDD resting on a blanket at home, a common setting for bladder and urination problems
IVDD Dog Not Urinating: Why It Happens and What to Do
If your IVDD dog is not urinating, call your vet today. Learn why bladder nerves fail, what leaking means, and what urinary recovery can realistically look like. Read more...
Older Labrador standing unsteadily on a rug near stairs, weight shifted forward off weak back legs
Dog Back Legs Giving Out: What To Do Right Now
Dog back legs giving out? Learn which signs are an emergency, the common causes vets find, and how to prevent falls at home before your vet visit. Read more...
Senior golden retriever standing on grass with hind legs splayed, a common sign of dog arthritis in the back legs
Dog Arthritis in the Back Legs: Signs, Causes and Support
Dog arthritis in back legs explained: early signs, when it is urgent, what your vet may raise, and how a rear support wheelchair keeps your dog mobile. Read more...
Older German Shepherd standing on grass with hind legs splayed, a common early sign of degenerative myelopathy
Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs: What Happens and What Helps
A plain guide to degenerative myelopathy dog owners can use: early signs, how it is diagnosed, breeds at risk, how fast it progresses, and daily care that helps. Read more...
Dachshund lying on a non-slip rug in a sunny living room, a breed prone to IVDD
IVDD in Dogs: What It Means and What to Do Next
What IVDD in dogs really means, why it happens, when it is an emergency, and how to keep an IVDD dog comfortable, safe and moving at home. Read more...
Senior golden retriever standing at the foot of a wooden ramp leading up to a back porch
Using a Ramp With a Dog Wheelchair: What Actually Works
How to pick and use a dog wheelchair ramp: the right width, length and grip for cart wheels, plus setup at the door, the car and calm ramp training. Read more...