Camus is depressed, I'm at a loss. How to entertain while his fractured paw heals?

[Christine & Camus]

I take Camus to the dog park every day, with rare exception. Still, at times he gets the zoomies, which he had a case of the day he fractured his paw.  I am fairly certain he got his paw caught in a gopher hole while running the circumference of the park.  His paw (left rear) has been placed in a splint and he is on total restriction, outside when necessary on-leash only, for at least a month.  Now ~ 2 ½ weeks into our sentence he goes between being crazed, trying to run inside, wrestle, jump – to being depressed and non-responsive, which makes me want to cry.  I have bought him many new toys, lots of marrow bones, antlers, etc.  I had to cut his food back since he had gained 5 lbs during the first week of restriction (I think I need to cut my food back too!).  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep him entertained and happy without getting him excited?  At 22 months excitement ='s running and jumping, neither of which is allowed.

 

[BG and Gavin]

I have played the shell game with Gavin to wear out his mind.  Get three cups, one treat.  First time let him see you put it under a certain cup.  Once he gets on to knocking the right cup over to get the treat, shuffle the cups before letting him choose.

[Christine & Camus]

This game sounds perfect!  Thank you...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nina Ottosson dog puzzles. They're pricey, but get great reviews:

http://www.johannthedog.com/Toys_Nina_Ottosson.html

Here's a video of Leslie's Halas with a Nina O interactive puzzle:

<br /><small><a href="http://www.doodlekisses.com/video/video">Find more videos like this on <em>DoodleKisses.com</em></a></small><br />

And another one:

<br /><small><a href="http://www.doodlekisses.com/video/video">Find more videos like this on <em>DoodleKisses.com</em></a></small><br />

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

you might want to checkout the interactive toys on this site from this deal from doggyloot.com

 

http://www.doggyloot.com/deals/voucher-at-the-posh-puppy-boutique?u...

 

Poor Camus... I hope his paw heals real fast and is over his doodle doldrums soon!!

[Leslie and Halas]

Thanks for posting these.  I was just going to suggest some toys like this.  Camus wouldn't have to be very active, but it would work his mind, and hopefully tire him out a little bit.  They have plastic versions of most of these toys now, and the prices are more reasonable.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Teach him some new tricks, reintroduce old tricks, etc...

If Peri is super bored, I get some high-value treats and just take her around the house and do training.  An Example (bear with me - imagine this is what I am saying to Peri):

1. Peri, down-stay (walk around the house for a while and work on her staying)

2. Good girl Peri! (treat here).  Let's go! (she walks next to me)

3. I stop. "Sit Peri - Stay" (walk toward end of hall and then come back)

4. Good girl Peri! High-five me! Okay now hug me!  Good girl!  Now down-show me your belly! Good girl (treat here)

5. Peri down-stay (walk somewhere else).

6. Peri COME!  (treat here)

 

Repeat-repeat-repeat.  Peri loves this type of interaction with me.  Pick a good treat.

 

This is my go-to for rainy days when Peri is bored and hasn't had a walk.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is also what we do on rainy days....like yesterday and today.  Sometimes I hide after I put them in their down stay and let them find me....always with a great treat in my hand.  I find the "mental" exercise seems to work almost as well as the physical.  Poor Camus...feel better soon!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh my goodness! This is the saddest thing ever. He looks so depressed. We got Owen a Kong food dispenser. We are feeding him dinner with it. I am hoping that is tires his mind getting the food out. It takes him a long time and there is no running or jumping involved. It was less than $20. I'm really happy with it. I hope the brain activities help give him a little joy.

[Joyce & Wilson]

Can you take him for some long car rides with the window down?  Wilson always seems tired after a car ride,.  Its sort of like a mental walk!!  Get well soon Camus!!!

[BG and Gavin]

This sounds like a great idea!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Great idea. Sometimes, that wears my dogs out too.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Poor Camus!! Those pictures are just heartbreaking!! Nothing sadder than a depressed doodle!!! Tara enjoys the hide-a-bird, hide-a squirrel games. There is also hide-a bee. She can play with it over and over but like the other interactive toys a human needs to be invoved to pack the critters back into the house or stump. Sometimes I also hide a treat inside for her to find but she seems just as happy pulling the critters out!

 

http://www.dogsupplies.com/products/Large-Hide-A-Bird-Puzzle-Dog-To...