Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Nicole,
Just like anything else that happens in this tripawd journey we embark on- don't let her SA cause you to fall for the 'what ifs' or the 'should haves'.
You can't go back and change what happened before- and as you know the 'what ifs' can drive you crazy. What you have is today forward. It is great you have already seen progress- and it is awesome that you are so determined to make this work.
So just know that you are doing the right thing, and that it will work, and sooner or later (sooner hopefully) you will be giving the great advice you learned from your trials with Chloe to the next person struggling with SA in their pup.
And with your artistic talent you can sell custom t-shirts on the street corner to fund the Chloe Project 
.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Offline
You know I was thinking, what if you offered to do a trade with a local doggy day care place? You're so crafty, surely they would love one of your crafty items as a barter for day care?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said:
You know I was thinking, what if you offered to do a trade with a local doggy day care place? You're so crafty, surely they would love one of your crafty items as a barter for day care?
Haha, interesting idea. I am going to drop her off at a place this morning and I will let you know how she does at doggie day care. Will bring her favorite toy, so maybe she will learn to like it?
Pretty sure they will fall in love with her over the next few weeks...
-Nicole
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Seriously Nicole, you'd be surprised how many businesses would be willing to do something like that, especially in this economy! Don't be shy.
Good luck today!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
UPDATE!!!!
Ok so I actually got a miracle, so I was able to afford a crate earlier than expected!!! For those of you who have been keeping up with our run ins with Animal Control, you know that I am now working to train her as an indoor dog. Part of her training will be crate training. In the meantime, I will still be putting her in doggie day care until I feel she is ready to be at home by herself all day… I think the crate will help twofold: one create a safe place to stay while people are gone all day and two will provide a safe haven no matter where she is. For example, when I go home to visit my parents for days or weeks. This way I don't have to train her for separation anxiety every time she moves (which is stressful for dogs, they don't like change) because the collapsable crate will be her "constant" apart from me of course!
So, I will be modifying my SA training techniques to include crate training! First is to get her to like being in it and for her to want to be in it on her own accord. I have a feeling that will be the easy part. I will have to work up to her being ok being in it with the doors closed while I am there, to being ok with the doors closed while I am still in the house, to finally being ok with the doors closed while I am gone for periods of time. But, we are still in the first phase of liking it.
Here are a few photos of her interacting with it! She was completely in the way when I was first trying to set it up, which was a good sign that she wasn't afraid of it (made it hard to put together though…).
Then the first exploration in the crate! I baited it of course and put her bed in it as well. Having her bed in the crate and in the same place she has been sleeping for last month will hopefully allow her to feel comfortable being inside.
After watching her struggle to move in the crate, I decided her bed was too "fluffy" (too lumpy) for her to easily move around, so I took the fluffy insert out of the cover, replaced it with her favorite blanket and the thin cushion that came with the crate. This way the cover she is accustomed to sleeping on is still the same and in relatively the same place. This is her just standing in it on her own. She went in without treats. Sorry its blurry…
Then she decided to lay down and go to sleep in it! She's still is by the way…but she has her head laying on the metal door frame. Can't see how that would be comfortable. But if she is in it, hey I'm not going to complain!
Guess the "liking it" will be the easiest part. Now comes training her to be ok apart from me both in and out of the crate…
-Nicole
P.S for those of you wondering what she is wearing, it is a thundershirt! I ordered it quite some time ago to help with her fear of thunder and fireworks. We get fireworks that go off sometimes at night and she gets anxious. Last night I forgot to take it off (so she ended up sleeping in it), but it was good because a firework went off. She kind of whined, but instead of wanting to wander around the house or looking to lay under my desk, she just laid on her bed and went back to sleep. I am incorporating this vest with her separation anxiety just to take the edge off. It has been great so far!
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Any step in the crate is a step in the right direction. Keep up the good work Chloe!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You're doing a great job, Nichole. Keep up the good work. I am so thankful a miricle came through for you. I was trying to figure out how to send you my folding crate without paying and arm and leg on shipping.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
hugapitbull said:
You're doing a great job, Nichole. Keep up the good work. I am so thankful a miricle came through for you. I was trying to figure out how to send you my folding crate without paying and arm and leg on shipping.
Aw, you are so sweet. I know shipping can be such a pain! To bad it can't fit in one of those prepaid boxes!!! Part of the reason I decided to buy one from the store rather than ordering it online... other part is that I needed it sooner rather than later...
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Nicole,
You are doing a great job with Chloe. Keep up the good work- your diligence and patience will pay off!
Karen
Today's accomplishments:
1. Sit and Stay on her "rug" near the kitchen for up to 3 min while I prep food (she used to just follow me all over the kitchen till I was practically falling over her).
2. Sit and Stay on her "rug" while I open door to garage, step through frame, go out of sight for up to 1 min.
3. "Chloe Crate!" still have to bait her since today is her first day with that command. Here is a video of her going in the crate without being confused! I am working to do this "Sit, stay, crate" with her farther down the hallway, so its not just a visual association of me putting treat in crate and her going to the food…
Forgot to mention these!!!
4. Chloe slept in her crate the whole night (door open) on her own free will (no baiting necessary!)
5. Chloe slept in the crate with the door closed for 30 min while I took a nap.
Will give you more updates as we hit more milestones!
-Nicole
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Nicole, it sounds like things are going GREAT. I would second cometdog's "mom" advice - try not be overwhelmed, it sounds like you're doing great and Chloe totally trusts you and is making amazing progress - I watched the "Chloe crate" video.
I don't have experience with SA - Ajax doesn't have it, though he has been a complete brat about getting attention since his surgery. It doesn't take them long to realize they are being spoiled, I think! That being said, I do have experience with roommates and crate training.
1) I think Chloe will continue to grow accustomed to her crate.
2) I suggest buying your roomates a nice bottle of wine or dinner (understanding funds are limited - it's the thought that counts) and explaining what you are doing and that you expect it to get better and better, groveling and thanking them for their patience as Chloe adjusts, and then, if Chloe is at all food motivated, having the roomates feed her ice cream or steak or special treats for a week or so. That should help them bond.
3) I read your post about animal control - it sounds like they were reasonable, as opposed to the neighbors who were crazy. So I would say try not to panic about them. I dont' htink they are going to take your dog away. I agreed with all the folks who said you shouldn't take on the crazy neighbors, but I think it's fair to assume that animal control are rational actors.
Ajax is just a few weeks ahead of Chloe in terms of his amputation, and has the same kind of energy level - one thing I did notice was that he was getting bratty during the period where we weren't doing his full normal walk routine. He seemed to have a lot of restless energy. So maybe gradually increase Chloe's exercise. It sounds like you're already doing that, but just a thought. For example, Ajax used to have 3 hours per day. 1 hour running/fetching off leash in the morning, than an hour twice a day with the dog walker, who takes Ajax and 4 other dogs to the park, which means walking around to pick everybody up, walking to the park, then playing. 3 months post op, we are at 2/3 of pre-op "normal": he still wants his morning playtime/running time, he gets a short walk, just taken down the street at lunch (that is a reductino) and his normal 5pm hour walk. When we come home most nights, he is still happy to go around the block. We keep watching for signs that it is too much, but he seems fine and we went to the vet and she felt his muscles and joints and those seem fine too.
Also maybe your rooomates could play a new game with Chloe. Ask your parents for "the Brick" for Christmas. You can look it up online. Ajax loves it.
Good luck!
Nicole and Chloe,
You are definitely making great progress. Having your Chloe know "stay" is a very big plus. We are working both issues at the same time. On Saturday, my Chloe went into her crate on her own and then slept for a half hour. I got her out because it was time for her lunch. On Sunday when she became "scared" at the vacuum cleaner, she ran into her crate go get away from the cleaner. Did she consider this a refuge?
So far I have given her very short trials with the crate and leaving out the patio door (about 1 to 2 min). The first four were successful, the fifth was a total disaster, but today's sixth was another success. So, do not get upset if you have minor setbacks or if she has trouble once. On my Chloe's disaster, she barked from the very second that I was out of site, and was in clear distress when I returned. I just calmly opened her crate door, and did not talk to her until she had totally settled (about 15 minutes later.) Remember, calm, calm, calm.
You both are doing well and we will keep you informed as to our progress. Unfortunately, we have to leave her for about 8 hours on Sunday, and 6 hours on Monday. I see the vet tomorrow and will be asking for some chemical help for this weekend only. I am not ready to throw in the towel for a long term solutions yet.
Sending those pawsitive thoughts.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
These are HUGE steps Nicole, congratulations.
One thing I want to warn you about which you may know already; wire crates are not escape-proof. For our Wild Boy Wyatt Ray , we zip tie the corners and door when we leave him alone in it. He has already broken out twice and bent the bars like a little jailbird! You may want to stock up on some.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said:
These are HUGE steps Nicole, congratulations.
One thing I want to warn you about which you may know already; wire crates are not escape-proof. For our Wild Boy Wyatt Ray , we zip tie the corners and door when we leave him alone in it. He has already broken out twice and bent the bars like a little jailbird! You may want to stock up on some.
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Karen sent us this book recommendation for dealing with separation anxiety ...
Step by Step Help for Your Dog's Separation Anxiety
Separation Anxiety: A View from Both Sides
November 3rd, 2010 by Nicole Wilde
Canine behavior specialists know that separation anxiety can be a challenging behavior problem to “fix” due to the level of owner compliance and commitment required, and because of the nature of the problem itself. I’ve worked with a large number of dogs with separation issues over the years, and have been able to help in the majority of cases. But never did I truly understand what owners are living with until I adopted Sierra.Sierra, as some of you already know, came to us from the Lancaster shelter in southern California, an overcrowded shelter in the middle of the desert. Sierra (as we named her), a young husky mix, had been brought in as a stray; this was her fourth time being impounded. Once we brought her home it quickly became apparent why she’d been in the shelter so often—she had an unfortunate combination of severe separation distress and Houdini-like escape skills. I spent the next six months working on the separation issue, and let me tell you, there is no teacher like personal experience. Sure, I had a list of techniques and ideas for my clients, and had always tried to be as supportive as possible. But the day-to-day challenges of living with a dog who has a separation issue was something else entirely. It gave me a whole new empathy for owners.
When the problem had first become apparent, my husband turned to me and said, “You know what this is, don’t you? It’s your next book.” Having enjoyed a brief respite from writing, I said something along the lines of, “Hah!” and dismissed the idea. But the more deeply I delved into working with Sierra’s issues, and the more creative I had to be, the more strongly I felt that owners would benefit from more in-depth help than what was currently available in print. And so I finally wrote, “Don’t Leave Me! Step-by-Step Help for Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety.”
By the way, that’s Sierra on the cover. I was lucky enough to capture that shot of her looking out the window. I love the longing expression in her eyes, although it’s almost painful to see. But hey, going from four-time shelter dog to cover girl, not bad! I sincerely hope the book will be helpful to dog owners and trainers alike, as it’s an issue that’s close to my heart. Oh, and the book is now available for pre-order, with books expected to arrive at Phantom Publishing late next week! Hope you’ll enjoy it and find it useful.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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