Why does my dog lift his back leg for one step then walk normally?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Hello, I have a 'terrier owner' question. My Chorkie sometimes lifts his back leg for one stride then walking normally again without a care in the world. I've checked his foot, and nothing is wrong. Is it some sort of terrier wierdness or do other dogs randomly do this?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on March 7th, 2017
This sort of gait is very common in terrier types and is often due to issues with the knee cap or the groove in which it sits - often slipping or getting stuck over the groove can cause temporary lameness. If severe and uncomfortable or occurring very frequently, corrective surgery to reallign the knee cap and groove may be required
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on May 11th, 2017
Limping and skipping that quickly resolves within a few strides is often due to something called a luxating patella. This is a condition where the knee cap can move out of its groove and then pop back in. It is not an uncommon condition in Smaller breed dogs. If he is overall comfortable and happy I would ask your vet about this at your next visit. Other potential causes include a strain/sprain or other soft tissue injury.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My 8 year old jack russell's back leg sometimes 'drifts' in the air when out on walks. It's not like a limp as she doesn't hop or anything, its more like she chooses to walk on 3 legs. Then today I noticed when she was sitting, that same leg had a so
What you're describing sounds like a condition called a luxating patella. This is when the knee cap slides in and out of its groove. This condition overtime can lead to arthritis and potential he predispose a dog to tearing a ligament in the knee. Your veterinarian maybe to do an orthopedic exam and tell you if this is the case.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Panda sometimes hops when he runs so his right hind is non weight bearing he does it for 2 or 3 strides then continues normally does not look lame or stay lame and does not do it all the time ideas as to why he would do that ?
Limping and skipping that quickly resolves within a few strides is often due to something called a luxating patella. This is a condition where the knee cap can move out of its groove and then pop back in. It is not an uncommon condition in Smaller breed dogs. If he is overall comfortable and happy I would ask your vet about this at your next visit. Other potential causes include a strain/sprain or other soft tissue injury.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my 3 year old collie is lifting his back leg when gets up to stand, but it only lasts for a few steps, then he's back to normal. it this anything to be concerned about ?
Dogs limp for the same reason we do, because it hurts to use it. If this continues more than a few days then I would highly encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian. The most common injury to the hind leg in larger dogs is an ACL injury, but of course there are many other possibilities. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I took my dog on a walk about 45 min. Ago and when we came back he was frantically moving around and could not get comfortable. He ran all around the house and couldn't find a comfortable space. He's also moving his back leg slightly weird and keep
Poor Terry! He may have stepped on something sharp, or he could have a condition called a luxating patella. This is a common problem in small and toy breed dogs where the patella (kneecap) moves out of it's correct anatomical position. It will cause intermittent lameness, and would make him walk funny. I think it would be a good idea for Terry to see a vet on Monday. The vet can do a physical exam to see if he does have a luxating patella. Should he have one, depending on the severity of it, he may need surgery to fix it.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My husky yesterday randomly lifted his back leg in the house. First thought he was being a bad boy and peeing so I said hey no outside. He wasn’t peeing and he couldn’t put his foot back down like he’d limp with it in the air after a minute of walkin
Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. I suspect that his rear leg was sore for some reason. Has he ever had any joint pain such as arthritis? This is common in medium to large breed dogs as they reach middle age. If he played hard earlier in the day yesterday, he could have over exerted himself resulting in muscle soreness. If it happens repeatedly, he will need to see his veterinarian for an examination. In the meantime, do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
After walk in evening after coming back home few minutes later he started to lift his leg up on 1 march it's been now 17days he don't lift his leg up in the air neither limp continuously but he sometimes in between limp and raise his leg looks like w
He could have a strain, sprain, loose knee cap, or possibly a torn ligament. Since this has been going on for 17 days, he should be examined by a vet to determine the cause. Your vet can take an x-ray, if needed, to help diagnose and then determine the best way to treat. He may need an anti-inflammatory, pain medications, or possibly surgery to fix the problem.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I'm looking after my friends Pomeranian poodle. Many times he has been walking around and limped but was fine 5 minutes later, however this time he's only walking on 3 legs. I haven't seen this before, is there anything I can do? I've tried touching
In small breed dogs, there is a common condition called a luxating patella. This is when the kneecap comes out of it's correct anatomical position, causing the limping, and once it slips back into place, the limping stops. That is likely what is causing Max's intermittent lameness. He should see a vet for it when his owners come back, but if he does keep on walking on three legs, he should see a vet sooner. That would mean the kneecap hasn't gone back into the correct position, and it will be painful for him. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. The vet can prescribe him a safe pain medication.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello! I’ve recently discover this app and it’s great, so I thought I’d ask this question: I’ve had my dog for a year now, and ever since I got him he’ll sometimes skip while walking (like a little jump with his left back leg), but has never shown an
Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. Great question! Sounds like he has a luxating patella. I wouldn't say this is normal but it is common in smaller breed dogs. Depending on the severity of the problem surgery may be recommended to correct it. I suggest you consult with an orthopedic specialist for this problem. I have attached an article for you about this issue. Hope this helps. Best wishes. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/luxating-patella/ )
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, I took my dog hiking this morning. He suddenly started donkey kicking his back leg. He is laying down now and still kicking periodically. Vet?
His abnormal gait, or [lameness](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/lameness-1/), may have several causes. There might be something in the paw bothering him, either an infection or a [foreign body](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/grass-seeds-and-awns/). If he will allow, examine the pads and in between the toes for redness or swelling. If you find a grass seed or splinter, this could be the reason for the behavior. Remove it, if possible, and monitor for resolution. If there is something stuck in the pad or if symptoms persist, a visit to your veterinarian would be recommended. Mushu might need to have any infection, injury or other prthopedic condition (such as a[ luxating patella](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/luxating-patella/)) addressed by the doctor. Antibiotics, maybe steroids, may be indicated to treat any infection and calm down the inflammation.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
She's a mixed breed, weighs 9.8 lbs, almost 5 years old. I've noticed that she sometimes doesnt use her left rear leg to walk; she just skips. I've had it checked up, vet said there seemed to be no problem. I would like a second opinion. Thanks!
It could be that Chispa is suffering from a luxating patella, which is when the kneecap comes out of it's correct anatomical position. When this happens, you notice the dog skipping and not using the leg. Because it happens sometimes, that means the kneecap is going back into place. This can be felt with palpation of the knee, so you can take her into another vet for a second opinion. Depending in the severity of the luxation, surgery may be needed to keep her kneecap in place if she does have a luxating patella. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Have A Vet Question?
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
