Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am back again with more questions. It seems like as soon I get one thing under control another situation arises. My 4 month old Tripawd is a very sweet and loving dog. She is only 1 week post-op as of today. However , she has begun to bark and growl and even pin down my 7lb baby boy Marley. We have noticed that for the most part it only happens in our bedroom where her bed is. I'm not sure if its her being territorial or in pain or combination. Any advice is welcome .
Mama & Zoe
She's new in your house, right? Adjusting to a new home is stressful, not to mention doing it while in pain and groggy. Could you keep the dogs separate for a while until Zoe's healed? She would probably appreciate a place that is all her own where she doesn't have to share her safe space just yet.
I would hold off on putting her in any situation where she feels uncomfortable for the time being, and see if you can find a trainer to work with who can help you with strategies to teach her that resources like a warm bed are not finite and she doesn't have to protect them. Eventually she'll learn that having other dogs in her space is a good thing, but for now, I wouldn't burden her with it.
I just wanted to add that 4 months is young and there's a lot of hope for improvement and teaching her new behaviors. My dog is reactive and every time I read things online, I start to panic because there are horror stories out there. But DON'T WORRY! She's in a tough spot for the moment, but things will get better.
DITTO!!! DITTO!!
For now, just deal with recovery, especially keeping her pain managed. A nice safe place for rrecovery away from Marley for now. He's feeling vulnerable and unsure right now.
And yes, it's not a behavior that you want to see continue or escalate. As DC Jack said though, four months is very young and training can help .modify her behavior down the road.
Deep breaths...get her on the road to recovery in a safe place. You'll probably find this will resolve itself.
Also, once Zoe realizes YOU are the strong confident pack leader and she doesn't have to be, she will feel more secure and less threatened. Let all the dogs knkw it's YOUR bed and they come up when YOU invite them! Of course, it's the reverse in mynhome....my dogs own the bed a d invite me up!
Higs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Totally agree with the above.
Zoe needs security and peace and quiet right now. This may very well resolve as she recovers and begins to feel more secure and confident. Definitely don't panic.
Meg was a MONSTER when I first rescued her. Desperately jealous of Elsie who was there before her. It's upsetting as a Mum because obviously you want to protect your baby. I felt guilty for creating the situation and of course Elsie picked this up too and milked it for all it was worth, which just made Meg more jealous.
Right now Zoe's recovery is what you need to focus on so as Sally and DC Jack have said, do try and keep them separate. If any incidents do occur, try to respond as unemotionally as possible. Be calm and firm and take a big deep breath. It really helps.
If problems should persist beyond recovery (and I suspect they may not) then there are loads of resources available to help you address this. So try not to worry. She is a puppy. This is your pack. You'll sort it.
All very best wishes,
the (more or less harmonious) Elsie, Meg and Clare xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Agree with the other comments. When you have two dogs who are already bonded, generally they can stay together during the recovery. But Zoe is young, new to your family, and has just been through a very traumatic time period. Even without all of these factors, you probably would have introduced the two dogs slowly when Zoe joined your family. For now, Zoe probably just needs her own safe space, especially since she feels so vulnerable. (And might also be a bit drunk from the meds).
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Thank you all for your advice, I have since completely moved Zoe into the bedroom with a nice set up and our other two fur babies are still free to roam around elsewhere. It was just alarming because Zoe is a big girl compared to the other two and during the dog to dog meet at the shelter she was fine with them and actually very interest in not only our babies but other dogs as well. But I will take your advice on giving her time to recover first and the training. I don't know what I would do without you all !
Hugs & more hugs,
Mama & Zoe
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