What do you do when YOU are sick?

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

The past two days I have been sick and unable to get Rooney out for his usual daily walk.  My kids or husband can take him for a walk when they get home, but it still makes for a long day of very little activity for the poor little guy.  On top of that, the rain has returned (What? Rain in Seattle? Shocking!) and so it isn't even as easy as taking him in the backyard for a change of scenery and low key playtime.

Honestly, he is being so good about it.  I'm very lucky he has a rather mellow, go with the flow nature but I can tell he's getting stir crazy.  I feel terrible because I love our walks and would totally just suck it up if I could but I'm really not able to right now.

So, suggestions on how to entertain a young pup when he's stuck inside most of the day?  I feel well enough that I'm happy to play with him indoors but our short range games of "fetch" aren't really doing much to burn his energy.  Ideas? 

[Lynda Kamrath]

I would also suggest Doggie Daycare, but you need to check the ones in your area out at a time that you are feeling better.  It's a nice thing to have available at a time like this.

I had one dog (and only one) who would always be in bed with me when I was sick or when he was sick.  He would cuddle up right next to me and stay there the entire time I was in bed.  When he would get up in bed with me and lay that way, I knew he was sick and needed some comforting also.  I guess that is really a therapy dog.  Untrained, but he seemed to do this naturally.

[Christine & Shelby]

I'm single and while I am blessed with pretty good health - I occasionally am sick and had back surgery just as Shelby turned 1 year old.

Things I do:

Indoor fetch.... Shelby is ball obsessed and I can position myself for a long throw and she'll just keep bringing me the ball.

Buster Cube..... this is a food dispensing toy (I got it at Petsmart, can also order from Amazon).... love it!  I serve her all her kibble in the cube when I am sick and/or when I need to keep her low activity due to injury or illness... makes her work for her food and is good mental stimulation.

Play care... love, love, LOVE play care!    I highly suggest you find a place near you for just these types of things.

Play date.... I am fortunate to have many good friends with dogs - and they will come pick Shelby up for a play date at their house with their dog.   I get some quiet time and in return... I get a tired dog!

Walk w/ Friends.... I have several friends who will come take Shelby for walks when I am unable to.  :)

Hope you feel better soon.  

[Christine & Shelby]

Oh and recently... not sure this is possible with the current rain you are experiencing... Shelby and I have been doing front yard time.  I put her on a long lead 30' and connect her lead to my chair... I read on my Kindle and she watches the goings on in the neighborhood.  She loves it and so do I.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

That's a fun idea. I keep thinking I need to invest In a long lead but haven't done it yet. Another thing to add to my doggy to-do list.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I really hope you feel better very soon! 

We deal with Chronic Daily Migraines at my house. When DH is out of town, we have two big, bored dogs. Indoor fetch works a little and new antlers help keep them occupied. I recommend the treat balls or toys that they need to think to use. If we are able to take them for a ride in the car that really seems to work too. Just the change of environment and all the new things to look at out the windows stimulates their minds tiring them out.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

I did use the Kong and a treat ball today and I do think they helped a lot.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Your Doodle is so cute! I have heard that Seattle has a regular Doodle Romp the second Saturday of every month that is pretty well attended. Maybe once your pup has all of his shots we could give that a try?

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Hope you feel better soon. Being a small puppy I wouldn't overly concern yourself if you are not feeling well. At least he's getting out later in the day. Day Care could be a back up option for you.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

He has been pretty darn good for me so maybe he doesn't need as much exercise as I think he does. However, I don't know if I'd call him a "small puppy". He is already over 30 lbs. with lots of growing left to do! I think he's going to be a big boy!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Lots of great suggestions here. I hope you are feeling much better today!! : )

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

A few "rainy day" activities we do:

- Tug (burns more energy than fetch, but your pup may not be interested if he's teething)

- Hide and seek (throw the ball, then quickly hide while he fetches it)

- If Rooney likes water - Put a few inches of water in the bathtub and then leave it on a trickle to keep him stimulated.  Hopefully this is what happens:

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Playtime in the bathtub! Hilarious!