How to teach a puppy Daddy is sick and can't play?

[Brenda Showfety]

My husband had an accident about a week ago and had to have emergency shoulder replacement surgery.  Needless to say, he is unable to throw Maggie's toys and pay attention to her as he always has.  I wanted to know if anyone has any advice on how you explain to your pup that Daddy is hurt and can't play right now.  She keeps bringing him her toys and when he doesn't respond, she gets another one.  I know she senses something is wrong, but I need some advice on a command to use so she leaves him alone. I don't want her to feel punished when she goes near him.  ideas?

[Star and Goldie]

How long is his recovery?

How old is Maggie?

Both of those answers are very critical to your approach. If his recovery process is not a long one you may need to be careful with what you teach if it's something that may take her long to understand and just when she 'gets it' it's not used anymore.

Depending on her age, it may be hard to teach her to leave him alone and then one day when it is suddenly okay she could be detached from him by that point.

Basically, the bottom line is that for a puppy this is a bit complex. Instead of teaching her to leave him alone can you teach them a new activity for play time together that does not require any physical straining for him?  She would probably be fine with anything as long as they get "their time"