A lost and homeless dog, Buddy had his left foreleg  amputated after having been caught in an animal trap on Dec 21.  We adopted him January 8.  At the time we were told our guy was 3 years old, but our vet is sure that he's closer to being 1 year old - not much more than a puppy, certainly just an adolescent. 

While the rescue societies and foster homes that took care of him  did it well, it was still no substitute for our forever home.  When we got him he was "mellow", covered in dandruff, thinning fur,  his surgical wound was crusty, and he had gunky infected ears.  He was quiet, sweet,  and obedient.

Fast forward two weeks.  We have been washing and conditioning him a couple of times a week and supplying salmon oil supplements so the thin fur spots are not noticeable and his fur is already becoming thick and soft.  His surgical wound is clean and barely noticeable, it looks almost healed but he's still on a course of antibiotics, both internal and topical. I massage his shoulders with lavender oil to help ease his muscle soreness.  His ears are finally clean because I have been rinsing cleaning and putting ointment in daily.  As for "mellow", well, I think he was mellow because he was traumatized because right now he dances around our house like a puppy. He is obedient ----for the most part. I almost never see his sad face anymore, except when he's trying to get a treat.  He is a smiling happy dog.

My husband,  our cat and Buddy all play fetch everyday, in an out of the house.  We are conscious that his puppy energy doesn't match what his newly tripawd physique can do, so I take him on short walks, 10 minutes several times a day.

We have two problems, his boundless puppy energy combined with a smart mind--- how do I keep him occupied while he's still healing?

and  His fear aggression in the car?  He becomes Cujo.  I've located a trainer who specializes in rescues.  The trainer whats Buddy to be comfortable in his new home before he comes.  Buddy will be evaluated by him next week.

However, if anyone has had a puppy convalesce and knows how any energy burning ideas and or knows about fear aggression in cars with a rescue, please let me know.