Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am sorry I haven't been on here for a couple of weeks, I guess I got locked out. So, I was really excited when I tried this morning and "presto!" We're back...
Here is the problem. Sammy is *uber communicative naturally. He talks non-stop from the time he sees you until the time he drifts off to sleep. The sounds consist of growling, whining, groaning, etc. The problem started a couple of months ago when Sammy tweaked his neck. Because he talks so much, I wasn't aware of when he got hurt, until he couldn't walk. I felt soooo bad about it, that whenever he makes the whinney noise now, I fall to the ground and start checking him out immediately, running my hands over him, feeling his legs.
He has decided that is a pretty good thing, mom on demand. So now, when he wants my attention ( which is all the time) not only will he growl, he makes his "I am hurt" sound. I am like a marionette doll, I just collapse, he has my immediate undivided attention, and all is well in Sammy town.
I wouldn't mind this, but it scares me to think that he might be hurt and I won't know, because he cries wolf. Plus, my husband wants some quiet time, and you just aren't going to get that around Sammy right now, unless he is sleeping.
I am trying to ignore him when he does this, but it breaks my heart. His sad, pitiful cries while hopping around in front of me make it impossible not to respond. So then I say "no" and turn around, which just makes him louder and hopping farther to get in front of me again. What do I do? Ignore him?
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
I think the conventional dog training wisdom would be that you have to ignore him when he does that. Just completely ignore it as any sort of attention, even saying No, would be attention and he would feel 'rewarded' and keep it up.
BUT... Having said that, I am SO bad at the whole tough love thing... I would find that very hard to do. Maybe if you tried giving him lots of attention and praise when he's NOT doing it, that would help??
good luck!!
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
we agree with the 'praise him when he's not doing it' and try to ignore it a bit when he does it. but then, i'm not good at that either...it's more do as i say, not as i do with us.
i just keep reminding myself that the day will come when i yearn for that little wimper or that little head bump or such, and it won't be there. my philosophy has evolved into enjoy the moment, they don't really ask for much and the rest of the world can wait a while...
no help here elizabeth, but tell sammy that gayle says he can come over here and she'll gladly be his nurse anytime!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
I know what you mean, Elizabeth. We had a talker and it was amusing at times but sometimes...not.
I wonder what would happen if you let Sammy get rewarded simply for being Sammy and you weren't the one rewarding. For example, what if you scattered little treats around that he would naturally discover on his own? He would be rewarded for simply being a dog and investigating, but in a sense he would also be rewarded for leaving you alone. You could still pet him and love on him, but if you didn't make a huge deal of it he might decide life is pretty good when he just hangs out and finds goodies without nagging you. What do you think?
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
A former roommate's dog was really vocal, including a fairly obnoxious high-pitched screech when being about to be let outside (loved him anyway, of course. This was before Gerry's time, when I had Yoda. When they moved out, Yoda started making the same noise (poor boy missed his buddy). Anyway, it was probably easier with Yoda than it might be with Sammy, since Yoda wasn't normally vocal, but I got him to stop by absolutely not opening the door if he was making the noise, and turning my back to him when he did, until he stopped. Course, it was easier for me, since it wasn't a noise I associated with him being in pain or distress. That's a tough one. Hmmmm... Also, I've heard dog trainers about various sorts of unwanted behavior to make sure you're giving them lots of attention and praise when they're not doing it - so when Sammy's being quiet. Try to hold onto all your anxious motherly feelings when he's being vocal until he's being quiet and then spoil him, cause at least then you'll be spoiling him for being quiet. Easier said than done - good luck!
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Hey it's good to have you back! Sorry you got locked out.
Wish I could offer some advice here but we're all about the tough love approach (meanies for sure! ;0 ....but as you already see you've got some fab advice! You may also want to ask our friend Sarah over at MySmartPuppy.com, I know she'll have some fab insight.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Could put your mind at ease to ask Stacy about it too - http://tripawds.....p70296 
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
You guys and my husband agree completely! It is just very very VERY hard to do when my boy who had bone cancer, who is now 3 legged, who may not be here forever wants my attention.... I know. I don't want a spoiled dog, but geez.
I thought my husband was being mean, turns out he is right! Just don't tell him! I will keep trying to be consistent and give attention to him when he is not talking, ie: sleeping. Thanks for being here and the good advice,
Elizabeth and super smooth talking Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
It is not just you........
Ingrid has become increasingly demanding of my time and attention. She is now being actively aggressive with all the other dogs, even her beloved sister Uma whom she has been with since birth;/ She has also become food aggressive........so this is what we do.
We give her all the attention we can possibly give her, pretty much 24/7
We let her eat all alone.
She does however get in trouble when she is just downright mean and or toooooo demanding.
Yes she indeed ignores the discipline and rolls on her back for a tummy scratch.....
and, we scratch her tummy.
Yes we are wimps....yes it is a pain in the buttox ..... but in the grand scheme of things.....when all is said and done and she leaves us (or we leave her) I do not think we will be thinking of anything but the love we all shared.
So we just deal, and it works for us.
Blessings to all
I'm with Charon! What's a little "crying wolf" in the big scheme of life!
But keep in mind, I am known for "ruining" dogs by coddling them! I can't help myself. I even worry when they are too quiet!
Give that Smartie Sammy an extra hug!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
You won't get any help from me...I'm too much of a softy. My motto is "they aren't spoiled, they're just well loved.
Kiss Sammy's snout for me!
Cathy
When Cadence was diagnosed my husband and I had a talk about not changing Cadence's discipline and sticking with what we have been doing with her all along. We didn't really have any problems with her behaviorally pre-cancer thank goodness but we did not want to let her slide behaviorally either post diagnosis, which she has not done. We wanted to keep everything as normal as possible for her and not make too many changes, as dogs are creatures of routine, and if you give them an inch, they will take a mile, cancer or not! 
The only thing is, she has been on dry food her entire life. When we switched her to the high protein, raw diet which is "wet food" and we would pet her back as she ate, she would stop eating although still looking down to her dish, give a very low warning growl (not a menacing growl but no dog should growl at the hand that feeds them!) and would also inhale her food. More than the growling (which I was not that worried about because I can't imagine this dog ever biting anyone) was the inhalation of her food. I was afraid of the bloat. So we had to start back at square one with the making her "work" to get her food. Before her meal she has to go sit in her place, and lay, then roll over. I then give her the wait command and she lays until I say "Eat" which means she is allowed to come eat. The growling and the stopping eating while we pet her went away. We slowed down her eating so fast by compressing the food tight in one flat layer in the bowl and she has to lick to work it out and can't ingest it in a few big bites.
Cadence Faye: Born 10/30/04, stepped into our hearts 12/23/2004. Rear leg tumor found 7/24/11 by mom and dad, Xray on 7/25/11, Osteosarcoma suspected 7/26/11, amputation 7/29/11, Carboplatin started 8/23. Met free so far!
Give him kisses and hugs and treats and talk right back to him - he will think you are crazy.....Nothing wrong with being crazy!!
LOL.
Chloe is a talker, but thankfully she hasnt learned to "work the system". But yes, you do have to ignore the whining, which is very hard to do!! Good luck!!
-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
Oh boy. It took Ajax about 1 day off the meds to realize, as the vet put it, he had newly trained us to respond to every sound. And, it hasn't gone away. And, it is crazy making. Everyone is right, including you - but I think if you use your judgment over time you will again be able to tell a difference. Hang in there!
Ps maybe we need to add this to the Tripawds book! (unless it is already in there and I just missed it)
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