Need help/advice for keeping doodle calm for injury recovery!

[Christine & Shelby]

Hi DK'ers,

 

About a week ago my Shelby strained a ligament in her hip after chasing too many squirrels/balls at the dog park.  Everything seemed fine until Shelby woke up from her nap... then she was favoring her back right leg.

I kept her home and resting for a couple of days- while there was some improvement she was still limping, so I took her to the vet.  X-rays were done and they looked fine.  Doc said probably a strained ligament and to have her rest for 2 weeks.

Shelby is a very active 14 month old ALD - who typically does playcare twice a week - walks 3-4 miles a day - and has a couple of play dates each week.  Rest... is well a challenge as she doesn't seem to realize she is hurt and needs rest.

I've been told to limit explosive activity, no jumping on furniture, chasing squirrels, sprints, etc.   Tying to stop a case of the zoomies is impossible especially since I am on my own and recovery from back surgery.

The vet has advised me to use some medication to help calm Shelby - takes her down to about 35% energy level.  All the furniture is blocked so she can't jump up on it.  Doggie door closed during the day - am back to coming home at lunch.   She pretty much just sleeps or watches out the front window while I am gone.  While she has been crate trained - she hasn't used the crate in over 4 months.  And... she is not a dog who loves her crate - she has never gone in to lay down without being told to.

I am doing basic training/focus work, interactive toys, chews, etc. but am really struggling still even with some help from medicine.  She is also on anti-biotics.   Earlier today I was thinking - she is doing well, no visible signs of discomfort or favoring the leg.   Well about an hour ago - she got a small case of the zoomies and flew across the room.   Then... just a bit ago, I noticed she is favoring her leg a bit.

I am so worried, frustrated, concerned and feeling at a loss for what to do.  Do any of you have any experience/advise on how to try to keep a high energy doodle calm when she doesn't seem to know she is injured.   I do not want her to aggravate or make her injury worse.

Looking forward to hearing from you all.... I am struggling and need ideas!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Tethering her to you during your time home maybe?

[Christine & Shelby]

I have considered this but given my recent back surgery, I don't think it is a good choice for me.  One big pull could be bad news for me!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Yes, sorry, did miss the back surgery note. Gated in one room or tethered to a door maybe? At least there would be no zoomies.

[Sharon & Monty]

Ligaments take a looong time to heal.  I had a bad car accident years ago that the wonderful seatbelt kept me from going thru the dash or window, but stretched the tendons and ligaments in my hips because my body was in a forward motion.   It took me months to fully recover. (and this was when I was young!)  As Sue mentioned, tethering perhaps if you have an active dood.  Of course no play dates nor 3 mile walks.  Hang in there, but this might take awhile.

[Sharon & Monty]

just seen your reply on the back surgery.  No tethering to you, perhaps to the leg of the couch or bed or whatever?

[Christine & Shelby]

Thanks for your response. She has been resting for 8 days now.  Vet said some leash walking is ok to get her out - so we do 2 blocks by 2 blocks and I let her smell to her hearts content - she is really enjoying that.  No "Let's go" when sniffing!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

After Murphy's neuter surgery we had the same issue for the first week...because he's also a very active and high energy dog.  I pretty much kept him gated in whatever room I was in so I could at least try to prevent him from becoming too active.  It was a very long week for both of us.  I spent lots of time on the floor with him playing (low key) just to keep his mind busy.  You can also use this time to work on your sit, down and stay commands with high value rewards.  I really believe that using their minds in training exercises also helps them to "burn energy".  Good luck, and I hope you BOTH start feeling better.

[Christine & Shelby]

Thanks for your reply.... I have been doing some low key play, interactive feeding devices, low key training and lots of work on down stay :o)   

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I have no advice but I wanted to stop by and say good luck, I am sure someone smarter than me will have good ideas. A couple of things I thought of was to play soothing music, like instrumental and maybe try to do some mind games like - tell her to wait when you put some goodie on the floor. We actually have Daisy doing things with a "slower" "closer" command. Daisy gets really tired when we play "thinking" games.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

When we first got Lucy and Sophie we purchased this exercise pen to put them in when we were unable to keep our eyes on them constantly (sort our version of tethering).  This pen came in so handy when we would go to someone's home or even at times outside in the yard for them to get a little more room to play.  When they were around 13 months old, we were getting ready to go out of town on a trip where we were taking them with us.  I let them outside to play about a week before and Sophie injured a ligament in her back leg.  They were running and chasing each other and Sophie went down and came up on 3 legs.  Off to the Vet we went and we were told fortunately it wasn't a complete tear, but that we needed to keep her quiet for about 4 weeks.  OMG I thought how do I do that.  She didn't want us to give her medications (unless the pain just became unbearable) as that would just make her feel better and cause her to be more active ..... so, out came the exercise pen again.  It went on our trip with us.  We used it for almost 6 weeks on that occasion and then after her recovery, probably 4 months later she injured it again!  Not as bad that time, but another 2 weeks in the pen.   The first picture is them in the pen when they were puppies and then the second is Sophie in the pen when she injured her leg the first time.  Lucy would often want in the pen with her (I guess she missed getting to play with her).    Possibly this could work for little Sheby.  Because it is portable I was able to keep it in whatever part of the house I was working in so she felt comfortable being with me!  Good Luck to you and little Shelby.

 

[Christine & Shelby]

Thank you for your response.  I had a pen for her when she was a pup, but collapsed it when she got big enought to push it around.  I might try pulling it back out.  Great idea!