Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

We put a bed right in front of the couch, so if the Woo doesn't want to jump up, she doesn't have to and she can still be close to me. When she first had her surgery, I was worried about her getting off and on the couch on her own, but she's got it figured out now, so I let her choose what she wants -- couch or her cushy bed.

Good luck!

Rio's momma

Ah the husbands... Yes, I get that "you're crazy" things sometimes too... But that's another story...

Abby is quite tall so no worries with the couch, but I worried about our bed which is very high up. At first I kept her out of our room or insisted on helping her if I was there. Eventually I was getting the annoyed looks too. She sails up there on her own (we are almost ten months post amp and she's been doing this for ages now...) and then when she gets down, she does seem to be careful. She doesnt just leap off, she does this funny maneuver where she sorta lowers herself as much as she can and then gently steps down. It's hard to describe, she ends up with her butt way up in the air. Same thing with the car. I had borrowed a ramp, but she hated it and would just sail up into the car.

That probably doesn't help much. I think it's quite normal to worry about that remaining front leg, but I also agree that, similar to Comet, they seem to know themselves that they need to take care. I try to not worry about it, but I can totally understand being worried especially with an older dog. Hopefully Capone will be gentle with himself. If not... I guess youll get used to loading ottomans onto your sofa. 🙂 Or hopefully someone else has a good idea??

That was useless, eh?
All the best with Capone,
Jackie, Abby's mom

I don't know what kind of personality Capone has but Tate has been self-limiting.  He won't do anything he's not comfortable with.  Which isn't to say he doesn't biff it once in awhile - but sometimes that's just getting the hang of it.  If he won't do it then we have to help him and we pretty much know what those things are now. 

I got myself twisted in a knot recently worrying about a freak accident.  "Honey don't throw him treats, he could have a freak accident diving for it!"  But then I realized I have to let him be a dog, for crying out loud, that's why we did all this, so he could run around and play and swim and chase and whatever.  Well, except get on the couch.  He's not allowed on the couch.  If I let him on the couch, next thing I know he'd be telling me to bring him a beer.

Hmmm, I can see why you'd want him to take it as easy as possible at 10.  Especially if when he's getting up and down he's actually jumping.  I don't consider what Gerry does true jumping.  He walks up to the couch, hops his forelegs up onto the couch (he's a rear leg amputee) and then pulls his back leg up.  And when getting down, he goes gradually as well and stretches out his back leg while he's at it.  So I actually convince myself it's decent physical therapy for him, haha.  But, yeah, leaping on and off on a regular basis would freak me out too.  So steps sound good!  Good luck finding the best kind, unfortunately I don't have input on that.  BUT I have been training Gerry to use a ramp for the car that I bought.  He gets in and out of the car about the same as he gets on and off the couch, but ramps were like 50% off one day at our pet store, so I couldn't pass that up and I'm sure in the long run lessening that regular impact on his joints when we do car rides will be best for him.  We're taking training slow.  I recommend patience!  Gerry's doing well with his acclimation to the ramp, but I'm betting stairs are going to be a little harder than a ramp would be, but suitable ramps for indoors are harder to find.  With a car ramp, it's recommended that first you have them get used to walking on it flat on the ground (with lots of treats), then gradually raise it to higher and higher angles (as much as you can – with lots of treats), and finally you reach the height of the car and it's not nearly such a big deal!  So, for whatever that info is worth.  I guess with steps it would be first just treat him for going anywhere near the steps.  Then touching the steps.  Then getting a paw on the first one, etc., until he's made it up both steps and onto the couch.  Best of luck!!!

Just a fun side note – Gerry probably would have refused to live with me if he hadn't been allowed on the couch.  I got him with all four legs from the shelter, but the fourth was injured and I fostered him through the amputation (adopted him later).  The shelter initially feared he had severe separation anxiety, cause he would break out of their kennels and they'd find him sleeping on their couch in the lobby.  And I tried to limit him to one room at my house, but he got out an threw a little temper tantrum.  When I decided to risk it and let him have the run of the house – he was a perfect angel and just enjoyed "his" couch whenever I was gone.  During the first couple weeks after his amputation though I laid down the law, turned the couch to face the wall and put a chair on it, just until his incision healed.  That worked, except for one night, when while I was out, he somehow climbed onto a nearby little table (with all kinds of stuff on it – phone, stereo, etc.) and from there got himself curled up onto the little bitty space left on the couch that the chair didn't reach.  I can't believe he didn't get hurt doing that or in the process of getting him back out.  So, at least your pup isn't THAT couch crazy!  (We hope).