Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Ellie was an ace at jumping through the doggy doors before surgery (even with her bum cancerous leg). Now she has tried twice with one of us on either side to support her, and although we got her through it was not a pretty sight. Wondering if anyone has had luck re-training their rear leg amputee to use a doggy door again? Ellie's stuck inside all day until we can figure this one out. She pokes her head through, wants to do it, but can't seem to figure out how to get her legs through. Once her first two are through, she just stands there straddling the door, with this "mommy help me i'm stuck!" look on her face. After we stop laughing we help her, but it'd be nice if she could regain this independence if possible.
Ideas???
Also, please tell me if I am pushing her into something she shouldn't do. I'm still trying to figure out that boundary between what to help her re-learn vs. what is no longer possible.
Thanks!
Ellie, 8 yo German Shepherd
Rear left leg amputation 3/21/11 (happy 1 month ampuversary!)
Osteosarcoma, so far no signs of metastasis to lungs (using Budwig Protocol, meloxicam, grain-free diet only; no chemo/radiation)
My pug Maggie was a rear leg amp and had no problems with the dog door. I did have to lower it so she did not have to hop through it, it was almost at ground level. Of course she was pretty small so the door was big enough to accommodate her. I have some video of her going in and out, but I am not at home and can not access it.
I have seen vidoes here of front amps hopping through dog doors. I would think rear amps would have it easier. Maybe Ellie needs a bit more time to build up streangth in her remaining rear leg so she can hop through. I know with Maggie it was one motion- she went through pretty fast. Is the top of the dog door high enough to allow a hop through or will she hit her back?
Karen
Nikki was a rear leg amputee as well, as the doggie door was a big part of her pre-surgery life... What we found, was we needed to go to a larger size and lower it a bit. (We started out with a storm door with a built-in "Large" size door, but after I saw the trouble that Nikki had with it (almost the same thing you described - but Nikki was pretty stubborn so she'd continue to try and I just thought she was going to hurt herself) I went to an XL door and lowered it a tad. Once Nikki didn't have to hop through it, she did great and continued to use the door just fine.
When we bought our new home, I realized the deck was slightly lower than the bottom of the door, which meant that Nikki could go *out* the pet door, but couldn't figure out how to get back *in*. This of course wouldn't work, so we built a ramp leading up to the doggie door that solved that problem..
(Yes, she had me well trained)
Overall I think you'll find that a larger sized door a bit lower will help tremendously, not only with Ellie being able to go through, but also in her overall "I'm still capable of fending for myself" demeanor...
If Ellie wants/needs to get out badly enough, she'll probably figure it out. She is likely a bit uncertain and just being a stubborn shepherd. Try lots of positive reinforcement, and give it time.
A search of these forums reveals various members who have posted about their three legged dogs successfully using the dog door after surgery....
Etta using the dog door after surgery (video)
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you everyone! I'm going to give her some more time to build up her strength, and then see about making the door bigger for her (although it's built right into the framing of the house, so not sure how much I can do that.) Maybe lots of the "good treats" (i.e. the ones on the TOP shelf) will be part of the retraining process. I know she wants to use it, and yes she is very much a stubborn shepherd.
Ellie is now 4 weeks post amputation and still struggles a lot with stamina. A lot of the time she fumbles with her rear leg to get it under her when she walks, and falls a lot. I've been doing some exercises with her (sit/stand and other basic obedience things just to get her moving) and when her mind is "engaged" she seems to walk much better. I am trying to help her not overdo her rehab, but when she sees her big purple ball it's hard to keep her from chasing it (and by "chase" i mean "walk-walk-fall"). She's happy when it's in her mouth though.
Thanks for all the tips!!!
Ellie, 8 yo German Shepherd
Rear left leg amputation 3/21/11 (happy 1 month ampuversary!)
Osteosarcoma, so far no signs of metastasis to lungs (using Budwig Protocol, meloxicam, grain-free diet only; no chemo/radiation)
Some rehab type exercise, like those on a Fit Pad would be beneficial, but repetitive movement like those required for sitting on command can be really rough on a rear leg amp. She may not realize this while in a training mode. It takes a while to break some of the automatic responses, but her joints & spine need protection. You might think about a stand & wait, or tossing a treat for her to go after…in short doses… She's probably never going to walk at your side like she used to. She will have to vary her gait to what she can tolerate. It will take some time for her to settle into her new normal walk. If she's willing to chase a ball. you can use that in short sessions to help her build strength.
Cynthia
Thanks Cynthia, those are good tips. I will definitely try those!!! 
Ellie, 8 yo German Shepherd
Rear left leg amputation 3/21/11 (happy 1 month ampuversary!)
Osteosarcoma, so far no signs of metastasis to lungs (using Budwig Protocol, meloxicam, grain-free diet only; no chemo/radiation)
littlemanjake said:
Some rehab type exercise, like those on a Fit Pad would be beneficial...
Check the Tripawds Gear blog Fitness page for more information about the FitPaws Balance Pads and Discs. You can also try using sofa cushions or other firm pillows for unstable surface work or consider building your own Buja Bard. All of these will help develop core muscle strength. Walks do not build stength, only endurance.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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