My Dog Just Had a Surgery. What Do I Do About Walks?

Hey Adam, my dog had a surgery a while ago. The doctor said that she wouldn't be able to go for a walk for at least a month. Roxy is a very active dog and after only a week into her recovery Roxy is going crazy in the house! Any suggestions?

Adam: Let's start by making a list of Roxy's needs: food, exercise, socializing and interacting with the environment are some of the main ones. While she can't walk, she can still satisfy most of her other needs. 

Also, walks aren't just about exercise to dogs. Walks provide opportunities to interact with other dogs and the world in general, helping to prevent your pup from getting cabin fever. How much does Roxy weigh? 

85 pounds.  

Well, it may be difficult to put her on a wagon, but at the very least, the yard would still give her a chance to smell other dogs and animals that are in the area, scan the environment with her eyes, and make herself known to her environment. If a friend has a calm dog and could bring it over to say "hi" that would be helpful too. 

You mentioned a wagon. I am just curious. Would you seriously consider pulling a dog on a wagon? 

Yes. I think about how I would feel if I was stuck in the same house for weeks and I am sure that however crazy that would make me feel, it should be way worse for a dog. I would speak to the vet to make sure that it's ok to do that in Roxy's case. Also, if the vet approves, it could be great to find a different way for Roxy to exercise. For instance, she may be permitted to swim. Or perhaps somebody could spend a few times a day with Roxy gently moving her limbs that are not injured. 

I also think that mental stimulation is important. You can achieve this by playing light games or performing light training exercises. For instance, there are toys, such as the wonderful Kong toys, that provide a challenge to dogs. These would be great to use when more active exercises are prohibited. 

The bottom line is: I believe that you will be supporting Roxy's recovery the most by focusing on meeting all of her needs and by being creative as to finding alternative ways for exercising and interacting with her environment.  

​//
Disclaimer: The contents of this blog are intended for informational purposes only. The contents are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your vet with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition of your dog/s.

Photo credit: Jamie Street on Unsplash