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
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Hey Adam, my little dog has been chewing on my journals. I get very upset and angry when she does that! Yet, once in a while she would get on my night shelf and surprise me with another chewed journal!
Adam: Dogs repeat behaviors that are rewarding. The behavior that's being repeated in this case is chewing the journal. But doesn't she get it how upsetting it to her mama? I get angry with her every time when I find my journal destroyed! I don't see how this can be rewarding to her. Adam: Firstly, chewing is a stress relieving activity. So, her chewing your journal could very well be an outlet for her anxiety. Second, if a giant angry man stormed into the space that you are in, and started screaming in a language that you can't understand, how could you know what he is screaming about? Wouldn't your first priority be your safety? Hmmmm this is the first time that I am curious about my Chichi's motivation for chewing my journals. Hearing that she may be anxious and found an outlet to relieve her stress makes me see it from a different perspective. Would you say that if I find a different way for her to release her stress, she may leave my journals alone? Adam: Not always - but if you replace the journals with something that she likes more, it would help. Dogs are creatures of habit. She loves those journals. I am guessing that you put a lot of energy into them and she probably (ironically) is doing this to be closer to you. Wow. I write in my journals a few times a day. And usually when I write, it's my time with myself, when my Chichi doesn't get attention. Adam: Bingo! The good news is you know she can't help herself and you know how to safely store your journals. There is a way for her to understand that the journals are off limits, but that could take hundreds of training exercises in catching her when and only when she is in the act of chewing a journal (or making them repulsive in any other sense). If I were you, I would just keep the journals out of her reach. Also, I've never seen a tired dog chew a journal! If a dog doesn't have enough of an outlet in nature, it will find one in your home=0) // 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. |
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Adam is the owner of Your Passionate Groomer. He is here to bridge the gap of communication between you and your dog/s. If you have a question in mind, just email: [email protected] Archives
May 2020
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