Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Bubba is 3 weeks post amputation and is getting around like a pro. BUT it seems like he has lost a great deal of confidence. He refuses to step over things that are on the floor.. even an extension cord. He acts like he is terrified of everything. He has always been just a little bit timid, but nothing major. Since his surgery he has growled at people that have approached him.. a couple being children. He has NEVER growled at anyone before. He is just so scared and I don't know what to do to help him. I thought about enrolling him in obedience classes to help with his confidence. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Any thoughts or comments are appreciated
BUBBA! What's going on with you sweet boy???
Is he still on any pain meds? And I knowmthis sounds crazy, do his eyes look okay..any cloudiness, etc? Doesn't seem to have sny sight lroblems
.Some dogs do feel exceptionally vunerable st first and Bubba is still early in recovery.
I think others have had some of the same issues and hopefully they'll chime in. I do now some dogs have gotten a little snappy during recovery butmit generally goes away.
How's your energy level? Confident and strong pack leader! Not letting on you feel sorry for him? Just throwing anything out there I can think of. I really do think he just feels more vulnerable now. Continue to try and do "normal" things with him and lraise the hecknout ofnhim for everything...and I knlw you already do!
I think he's just being very cautious about stepping over things and, again, hell get more confident as recovery continues. If hesw had any face plants that could shake his co fidence a bit too. Adjusting to three legs takes about a month to adjust muscles, regain confidence, etc. Recovering from the surgery itself about two or three weeks.
Try not to worry, okay? Its WONDERFUL that he is doing so well!!!
Sending you both hugs!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Thank you Sally. He hasn't been on pain meds since the first week and other than his fearfulness, his behavior at home with just my husband and i, and our menagerie. Its just new situations and people that is making him be a stinker. Pit Bulls already have a bad reputation, I know he wouldn't hurt a flea unless he felt very threatened. He is just feeling very threatened quite easily lately. I have been taking him with me more , which he loves, and getting him around people. He loves be around people and other dogs,, he just doesn't want people to approach him. I think he might be ok with the person if they sat on the ground at his level . I need to experiment with that. I hope I am just overreacting and there is nothing to worry about. I just want my boy to be happy.
Hmm. I think a lot of it might have to do with his young age, as well as him regaining his confidence. I think one of the keys to helping him overcome his fear of people issues is by focusing on building a very strong bond together so that he trusts you. He wants to know you are in charge of the situation and everything is under control. Obedience training is a great way to establish that bond, but it would really help if you could find someone who specializes in the breed. That worked well for us when we focused on finding training for Wyatt Ray , who has similar issues. As for things on the floor, that's an interesting one. Does it happen when he's on slippery floors only, or all floors? It sounds to me like he might be afraid and not too sure about his new physique, and just needs time to feel secure in tricky footing situations.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We had a similar thing go on with Leland with the walking. We had taken him out to visit some friends who own a local gun shop. We had taken him in through the back door and he did fine walking in on the hardwood flooring (he was so excited to see and greet people that he hadn't noticed he'd walked on hardwood flooring). When we went to leave and go back out the back Leland laid down on a rug and absolutely refused to walk back over the hardwood. So we went out the front and maneuvered him through customers.
After this surgery I do think our furkids lose confidence in their abilities to get around until they do it for a while and see that it'll be alright. We would just keep speaking to Leland in a calm voice letting him know he was a good boy and he's alright. Now Leland didn't have the snappy aggressive behavior you mentioned that Bubba's exhibiting. However, Leland became a lot more attached (especially to my husband) after the surgery. They're aware that they aren't 100% able to protect themselves early on. I think Bubba may be trying to "protect" himself the best he can right now even though we know nobody is going to hurt him. Since it's still early after the procedure I think what you're definitely looking at is a lack of confidence. I don't know if enrolling him in an obedience class will overwhelm him or not right now. Perhaps just taking small steps in getting him out and around other people (not to close though) and praising him will start to boost his confidence.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
How do you feel about Bubba's pain level? My Jake was on pain meds for weeks, and if Bubba is feeling any pain or soreness it could really affect his attitude. Aggression in a dog who has never been aggressive can be a sign of pain. My Jake showed signs of pain that way. He growled and showed his teeth, and he was a sweetheart of a dog. I'd talk to your vet about that b/c 3 weeks out is still pretty early in recovery.
Also, when we brought Tanner home (he was already 6 months post amp), he barked and growled at people/animals/things etc (god forbid you walk past a snowman, he had some serious issues with those guys lol). It was all a matter of self-confidence. Like everyone has already said, their confidence takes a hit after amp but if Bubba knows you have everything under control he'll relax. Obedience training can really do wonders. Tanner had already gone through obedience training with his foster mom but we were strange people who brought him to live in a strange house, his confidence level took a hit just from that. So we worked with him re-enforcing everything he'd already been taught and he learned to trust that we had everything under control.
I'd make sure you definitely have the pain management under control and then just a basic obedience class. I think with those two things you'll see Bubba return to his old self. Pitties do have a bad rap and they are one of the smartest breeds on the planet so I know he'll do great with your lead!
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Thanks for your input guys! I really appreciate it. I can say with certainty that pain isn't a factor in his actions. In that aspect he has done amazing. i'm glad to see I wasn't too far off base when I though it was his confidence. I do honestly believe that is the root of it. We have always had to work really hard with boosting it... that was our main reason for putting him in an actual obedience class instead of just at home training. He was just so timid. He is back to standing slightly behind me when people approach and from behind me is when he growls. I have never seen him bare his teeth or anything so I think he is basically telling people that he would rather not be messed with. Before surgery he would stay slightly behind me and lower his head and look away. We have had him since he was 6 weeks old so we know nothing bad has ever happened to him, besides this. I think you are right though, Sahanna. I think a class might overwhelm him right now...i think I will wait a little while and see if things get better.
Good...sounds like you've gotten some great insight AND some reassurance for yourself that this just a confidence issue and a little fear growling. The fact that he was a timod guy before, even though he was workingn through it beautifully before the surgery...it just all adds up to feeling vulnerable.
Would love to see more pictures of him! His avatar is so handsome and adorable!
Keep us posted and HUGS to all!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
TANNER......Snowmen? Really? LOL!
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!
If you don't mind I'd like to suggest if his last experience of other people, other than his family, was at the vets then that wasn't a great experience for Bubba. Perhaps he needs some really positive, fun experiences with a visitor.
My cat Mona, who was really easy going at the vet's for her surgery (the best pet ever they say) now stays away from anyone who comes to visit. She didn't do that before the surgery. She likes the cat sitter who feeds her (I'm not here of course) and the chiropractic vet where she falls asleep. But so far she hides from others in the house and yard. Her surgery was 6 months ago.
I hope Bubba becomes more comfortable soon.
Kerren and Mona
Last night we finally hod some company.. My Stepdaughter, Sarah, her Mother (yes... my husbands ex lol) my 7 year old granddaughter, and Sarah's Boyfriend all decided to come visit. It made for quite a full house in our little house. Bubba was really freaked out at first. He growled at everyone which scared 7 year old Kaiden so i let him go lay on our bed which is right off of the living room. I wanted to give him some time to get used to hearing all the voices and hope that his curiosity would get the Best of him. Apparently it did because he crept out of the room and layed down on his bed. What I noticed was that if someone walked past him very cautiously he would do a low warning growl, but when someone walked by with confidence he wouldn't make a sound-just lift his head and watch. I also noticed that if someone tried to convince him to let them pet him by using a soft coaxing voice saying " its ok bubba, come here", he would give them the go to Hell look and look away distrustfully. They were at my house for about 5hours and i think he had let everyone pet him and give him treats by the time they had left. i consider that a win!
I also wanted so say that it could also be something to do with his vet experience, but he is still excited to go there. When his vet was taking his staples out, She was leaned over him, and just as she was getting ready to say something, bubba decided to give her a big ol lick...and you guessed it.. right in her mouth haha. She had her hands full so she couldn't even wipe her mouth lol. Poor gal. Bubba just loves her and the other girls.
It's definitely a learn as we go thing. I'm sure we will have lots of issues pop up and then resolve themselves from here on out .
Sounds like your on to something. Maybe his own insecurity is coming out. With the people that act confident he feels secure, those not so confident he puts a little scare in to them. Glad the visit turned out well.
Glad things ended up so well last night.
He sounds a lot like our Wyatt. There are just certain behaviors from people that he doesn't like, like when people stoop over him, and high energy spazzy people, among others. I agree, take things slowly so you can know what his dislikes/likes are then work from there. I would also consult with a behaviorist and read up on building a bond together, just to validate that you're on the right track. It's so helpful to have another person's opinion, someone who can watch his behavior and give you feedback. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Great observations on your part! And kudos to you for going to the extra effort to give him time to get comfortable with all the visitors!!
You've made some great distinctions and I agree with Laurie and Jerry, I think you are spot on about the confident energy!! And everyone got to give him treats...I cluding the ex?? Yeah, that's a great win!!!
Keep us posted on his lrogress AND PICTURES!! We want lictures!!!
Glad he likes his vet so much! That was a great visual!!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
1 Guest(s)
