Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Since his surgery in May, I've been diligently trying to boost Rumbles' fitness back up. So we're doing longer walks. And short walks, but moving a little faster. He's doing very well, but our walks are still so much shorter and slower than they used to be.
So much so that now I can't count them as human exercise. 
In order to make up for it, I set up a little fitness circuit for myself in the driveway. Rumbles is definately not interested in this type of workout (to say the least).
But everytime I have to step over him, or coax him to move him out of the way, I say a little prayer of thanks for every day that we have together.
You might get Rumbles workin' out with a Balance Disc or other FitPAWS gear. Or, consider building him a Buja board. Looks like he might prefer a Donut though. 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
rumblesmom said:
So much so that now I can't count them as human exercise.
I was just thinking the same thing! Percy had surgery in April, and while we occassionally make it around our regular walk, I'm worried about pushing him too hard because it's been 90 degrees out with 90% humidity for weeks. I've been thinking I need to do some other exercise, but hate to do that because it takes away from time I could be spending with Percy.
What kind of circuit did you set up? Could Rumbles be any more excited about the new exercises 🙂
Percy's mom
mck025 said:
rumblesmom said:
What kind of circuit did you set up? Could Rumbles be any more excited about the new exercises 🙂
Percy's mom,
Yeah, Rumbles isn't exactly thrilled about it. But we do usually play a little game of chase in the backyard while I'm setting up, so he likes that part. When I start my program, he snorts around for awhile and then plonks himself down to take a little snoozy. Usually in the most inconvenient spot possible, of course. 🙂
My hubby is a fitness trainer, so I have a bit of help (okay, a lot of help) setting up the circuit. The little green bars are mini hurdles, so jumping over those is my cardio. I use the kettle bell weights for assorted strength exercises. A balance board for core. And then a mat for yoga, abs, etc. If you're interested http://www.perf.....r.com/ is a great source for training equipment.
Well, it happens. When my leg got taken off, there went our long hikes and backpacking trips. It was a little traumatic, that was our funnest thing to do together. But you know, we just adjusted and if my pawrents wanted to go on a run or whatever, I was hoppy staying home until they got back. Not that they ever went all that often without me because we were a pack, after all! It took a while to adapt to our new routine but in time we found lots of other things to do together.
Mom always jokes that Tripawds are the pawfect dog for the lazy person! We hardly need any walking at all!
A fitness circuit is a great idea though!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My Tripawd, Maggie, is especially lazy these days with the heat and humidity! I make sure to give her a little workout on her balance pads/balance disc and balance dome, to get her moving a little bit! Or if she's not entirely wiped out from the heat, a little low obstacle work on her Wag It Games obstacles 🙂 No walking when it's really hot for her....it's WAY tough on her.
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
maggie said:
My Tripawd, Maggie, is especially lazy these days with the heat and humidity! I make sure to give her a little workout on her balance pads/balance disc and balance dome, to get her moving a little bit! Or if she's not entirely wiped out from the heat, a little low obstacle work on her Wag It Games obstacles 🙂 No walking when it's really hot for her....it's WAY tough on her.
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
You are right about the heat...I've been very careful about it. But last night, Rumbles was running around the backyard, so I thought he needed a little mini-walk to work off some energy. Well, half-way home, he laid down on the neighbor's front lawn and wouldn't get up. He was alert and happy...just too hot to go any further. The neighbor came out and chatted. He let her scratch his tummy and ears. But still not budging from his cool spot in the grass. After about 20 minutes, my daughter drove the car over (from 5 houses away). I lifted him into the backseat, we drove around the block and we were back home. He drank a bunch of water, ate his dinner and lazed around the rest of the evening.
I'm going to check out the workout equipment for him. Thanks for the suggestion!
You're welcome!!! I don't remember the heat being so hard on Maggie last summer but this summer it is...might be her age creeping in on her too at 11 1/2 yrs old 🙁
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
rumblesmom, thanks for the pointer. That looks like fun! Hmmm...I wonder if I can use Percy's agility jumps to make a course for me. My neighbors will think I'm really nuts now.
The heat is what I've been worried about too. Maggie thanks for the equipment suggestions! I will take a look too.
Monkeybutt... tripawds can move just as fast as you with one less leg!! Who's working harder??
mck025 said:
Hmmm...I wonder if I can use Percy's agility jumps to make a course ...
See this Tripawds Gear post for the benefits of high-stepping over cavaletti poles and the dangers of excessive jumping for three legged dogs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
admin said:
mck025 said:
Hmmm…I wonder if I can use Percy's agility jumps to make a course …
See this Tripawds Gear post for the benefits of high-stepping over cavaletti poles and the dangers of excessive jumping for three legged dogs.
Oh sorry! I meant that I was going to make a course for me, not him. Percy's agility days ended a while ago, before the cancer diagnosis, I just never got rid of his equipment. I saw one of the rehab videos say that weave exercises can help tripawds and have been meaning to set up his weave poles again.
Those cavaletti exercises look neat — can we do those with tripawds? (The video showed a 4 legged dog.)
mck025 said:
... been meaning to set up his weave poles again.
Pawesome! Readers can learn more about weaving exercises for Tripawds here:
Help Tripawds Balance with Agility Weave Poles
Those cavaletti exercises look neat — can we do those with tripawds?
That's why we wrote the review and sell the kit! We just recommend the low impact high-stepping shown in the video to develop proprioception and balance, not agility jumping.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dr. Waldman of CARE, recommends low obstacles set at wrist height for our Tripawds 🙂 Maggie enjoys herself immensely on her obstacles that I have for her.(she, too, is a retired agility dog).
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
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