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.

 

[Christine & Camus]

These are all great ideas.  I tried the shell/cup game with him this morning and he really enjoyed it.  And, although I have not done serious training games with him (like Allyson suggested) we do go through a few repetitions of sit, down, shake, high-five, and touch, throughout the day (he goes to work with me so we practice in the office) and he loves car rides, especially with the windows down.  He has been getting a lot of extra attention from everyone at work, including his favorite treat - banana.  I really like the wooden Nina Ottosson game, I know it is pricey - maybe I can find a used one or a sturdy plastic one that is similar.

 

Tummy rubs, cuddles, laying on the couch with his head in my lap, are all part of our daily routine. He's a cuddle bug and it starts first thing in the morning when he pretends he is an alarm clock.

 

No pain pills, although I do have a mild sedative for him when he gets overly excited that I've only used twice.  He is normally such a happy boy that seeing him depressed has made me feel so sad and the sedative makes it worse so I only use it as a last resort.   Plus the vet warned me not to use it on a regular basis.

 

Thank you, Everyone!  I will definitely try all of the ideas and hopefully Camus will be a bit happier.

 

One last thing -- I called the city last week and they gave me the name and phone number of the man in charge of the maintenance at the dog park.  He was very nice and said he would have his crew take care of the holes. To be sure the holes are gone I'll check it out before I let Camus in the park again.

[Camus]

Hey! I am very sorry about your paw. Don't really know how to entertain you, but probably you would like to know that I am your namesake. I guess you were named after Albert the writer, I was named after the cognac. 

Cheers. Get well soon. 

 

[Christine & Camus]

Hey Camus great name!  Yes, I was named after Albert.  My mom has a thing for the sciences, philosophy and psychiatry.  I was almost named Freud. Yikes!!  And, hurting my paw is the worst -- my sentence just got extended another 2 weeks.  Oh well...........

[Camus]

2 weeks is a very long time for a dog but not the whole life. Cheers. 

By the way, we are neighbours.

Au revoir, mon ami.