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.
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I have a 3 1/2 year old front leg amputee mutt named Digger who is a absolute beast on a leash (he is approx 70lbs and can pull me off my feet). We have done hours and hours of leash training and nothing helps. I have tried a halti and a gentle leader and he HATES them. He does what I call Dead Digger Dog, he lays on the ground and REFUSES to move; I pick him up, he flops down, I pick him up, he flops down. i have tried having him wear it around the house to get used to it with no avail, he just hates it too much. I have also tried several 4 legged dog harnesses, but that all slip forward and become useless. If anyone has any suggestions I would love the help!
Lindsey and Digger
The gentle leader is my only suggestion. But I would HIGHLY recommend reviewing the DVD and training booklet included, if yours came with them. We are using one on Wyatt who is also a beast, especially if we encounter other dogs when walking. The leader is the only way to even try and control him. Good luck!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Have you tried the ruff wear harness ? We had a ruff wear harness we used for Wrigley when she was a tripawd. We recently adopted a 50lb Shepherd/Husky Mix and she had been returned to the shelter because "she was impossible to walk". I kept thinking "how hard can it be?" I soon learned what they were talking about. She pulled and pulled and she is a very strong dog, it was impossible to walk her and enjoy it.
I tried the gentle leader, the other type of harness, a choke collar – and finally tried the ruff wear harness that belonged to Wrigley.The ruff wear harness has been a life saver. She walks so much better with that than any other device we have tried. For us it has made all the difference.
Good Luck!
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
Long time Tripawds member Genie sents us this photo with the following advice …
Try the method of running the leash from collar down to the left waist, wrap around the belly, then coming out from the right side, make a loop and through the back. That also helps the dog more aware of his body parts (which is also part of what Tellington Touch is about).
Hope that the arrows with different colours can demonstrate the directions.
She said most dogs didn't like their waists being squeezed, and when they felt the loop tightened at waist, they would slow their pace down. And that would alleviate more yanking and choking on the necks.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Our Chuy is a puller also. When we hook his leash to his regular collar, he drags me down the street. Now we use the Ruffwear harness and a 2 ft. leash. He still pulls, but we can control him better with the short lead. Now going for a walk with him is a little more enjoyable as he isn't able to drag us down the street.
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Tazzie would drag us around on a leash. But he was highly food-motivated so it could be kept under control if you had food in your hand. I was lax about training - he was extremely trainable. And we tended to hang out at off-leash parks so he wouldn't have to be on-leash.
Once he developed cancer, well I accepted he would never learn that 'life skill'. In fact, I loved it when he'd come racing out of the back of the vet clinic with the vet virtually airborne like Pipi Longstocking. One of those things I started to love after he got sick. Of course when he charged up to people, they knew he was seeking attention and a pet, not out for blood.
Had a crazy one, too! I tried everything. He was 75 lbs. Finally, a haiti and treats helped. I could say, 'good boy' and he'd stop pulling to get a treat. Of course, it took forever to go anywhere because we spent so much time 'treating'!
Ironically, I was walking him one day last year and hit my foot on an uneven sidewalk and twisted my ankle. I went down on the ground and couldn't get up. He stopped and sat down with me and didn't move until I got help.
So, I guess you can pretend to be hurt on the ground! 
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.
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