Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all! And thank you for being here!
Mikey is really getting around great! 😃 But he's not making the connection between running his legs off,and having things hurt later. The vet I've been working with was already involved with him when he came to us, so before this forum, that was the only opinion i had. She doesn't believe in pain meds for dogs.
And i don't want to mask pain that keeps him from more injury. But how do i slow him down some, so that he doesn't injure his remaining legs, etc.?
At six months, I'm happy he's being a happy puppy, but how do i negotiate a lower speed on this boy??
Thank you!!
Mikey, 2/14/16, came to us as a foster the end of June, 2wks after rear left amp. Now, at 6mo, he's doing awesome! Perfect, except for wanting to play with 9yo kitty Pumpkin, who isn't interested. At all.
Love to all! Jo, Mikey and, reluctantly, Pumpkin.
Hi Mickey sounds like a bundle of joy! Have you tried using stimulating, engaging games that you could do with him, puzzles and things to stimulate him mentally rather than physically.... treats under 3 cups, hide and seek a favourite toy, a treat dispenser ball, obedience tricks (make him useful, teach him to load the washing machine or fetch the newspaper!) he's at a fantastic age and will thrive on all the attention I imagine. He'll soon be tired after all his learning and hopefully that should help slow him down a tad.
I understand your vet not wanting to use pain meds but there are holistic supplements you could look at that might just help support Mickey while his body repairs and adjusts to being a tripawd
Zuki Wuggafer 30/09/06 - 11/11/16. Right hind tripawd due to Osteosarcoma. He had a strong 5 and half months as a tripawd but unfortunately a secondary issue with his spine ended our battle. He loved life, loved our family and was the best dog I could ever ask for. Truly my first love, forever in my thoughts and heart.
Read our story: http://zuki.tripawds.com/
jodawn said
...how do i slow him down some, so that he doesn't injure his remaining legs, etc.?
Here's a blob posts specifically about that:
How to Exercise Young, Recovering Tripawd Dogs and Cats
Never underestimate the power of mind games for tiring out pups too! Wyatt can get exhausted after just a few minutes of brain games:
Keep Tripawds Entertained with Zanies Pizza Interactive Dog Puzzle Toy
Dog Twister Game Keeps Recovering Dogs Entertained
Keep Recovering Dogs Entertained for Hours
Also consider consulting with a certified rehab vet/tech for a professional opinion and fun exercises you can do at home to build strength. Core exercises, balance work, and stretching are important before allowing too much free running around. Download Loving Life On Thee Legs for lots of DIY tips!
Finally: Use the Advanced Search above to refine your search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here .
Hope this helps!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you, all!
We've been working on some basic things, trying to find a puzzle ball that fools him for more than 30sec! But I can't wait to dive into some more!
My ultamate dream would be having Mikey for my assistance dog. (CRPS, both arms. In somewhat of remission right now, but I like to plan ahead.)
He's plenty young to train, and what I need help with (other than the emotional support, which is most important) is pulling open cabinets, loading the dryer (wet clothes are heavy), etc. And his "pull" is plenty strong! Wouldn't it be awesome to see a tripawd assistance dog?
IF we can survive puppyhood. 😉
Thanks again!
Mikey, 2/14/16, came to us as a foster the end of June, 2wks after rear left amp. Now, at 6mo, he's doing awesome! Perfect, except for wanting to play with 9yo kitty Pumpkin, who isn't interested. At all.
Love to all! Jo, Mikey and, reluctantly, Pumpkin.
Since you want to train him to be an assistance dog maybe think of some games that mimic the tasks you need done.
One of the most powerful things I've learned to teach Elly is to 'tag' or 'touch' something with her nose or paw (for Elly tag is with nose, touch is with paw). This has been such a valuable part of her training. It would be a great thing to teach Mikey and you can use it to build tricks or other behaviors. I started with her 'tagging' my hand then used a wand thingie (a ball on the end of a stick). Then I put a piece of masking tape on my hand and had her 'tag' it a bunch of times. Now I can put the piece of tape on almost anything and she will tag it. She has advanced now to where she will tag things I point at. This has been very valuable for overcoming her fear of plastic bags...on our morning walks she will tag newspapers in bags on driveways!
I've also been working with her on take it, hold it, and drop it. A new one we've started on now is pull it. These would be invaluable for Mikey to learn.
Hide treats in cabinets to teach him how to open them (but be careful he doesn't think he can open all of them whenever he wants!).
On the food toys- I've been able to increase the level of difficulty by putting a small ball in the ones that dispense food though small holes when knocked around. Also- you might be able to tape the dispensing holes (from the inside) to make it harder for the food to come out.
Start slowly with all the obedience commands. I like Elly to become pretty confident with a new behavior before we add a new one. And if she gets frustrated with trying to figure out what I want her to do the I go back to a basic, easy command like spin or shake so she gets her confidence back and calms down.
Also- here is a link to the posts started by murphsmom Kathi. They have been doing great things training their adopted quad lab Ollie. They also did amazing work rehabing their Spirit Tripawd Murphy who had hip replacement after losing a leg. You might find some ideas and inspiration!
Good luck,
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
KAREN!! WOW!! Just WOW! 🙂
I think you and Kathi have a book in the making! Sign me up!
Okay you techie wizards who use the "search" bar like a champ, ...find the posts/videos from our member who taught her dog a whole lot of things with clicker training and using the book by Kyra Sundance...Dog Tricks and Training.
Sounds like Mikey will be an EXCELLENT helpmate! Can't wait to see the video!!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Y'all are AMAZING!!
Mikey learned "boop" (touching our noses together) before he'd been here a week. I never thought I might be able to transfer that to other things!
Brilliant! Just brilliant!
We did some "treat under cups" game & I have a wobble ball (bobs a lot) and a puzzle toy ordered. I'll admit, I was very surprised at how much calmer he was after the cup game. My hubby has been worried about keeping Mikey (fail foster) being a hardship when he travels and I'm alone. And I'll admit, yesterday it WAS! Heavens!
But today was so much better. Yesterday I was in tears. Today I'm excited about our prospects. Didn't help yesterday that my pain was flared & I was depressed about other things.
Thank you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Mikey, 2/14/16, came to us as a foster the end of June, 2wks after rear left amp. Now, at 6mo, he's doing awesome! Perfect, except for wanting to play with 9yo kitty Pumpkin, who isn't interested. At all.
Love to all! Jo, Mikey and, reluctantly, Pumpkin.
benny55 said
...find the posts/videos from our member who taught her dog a whole lot of things with clicker training and using the book by Kyra Sundance...Dog Tricks and Training.
Trick Dog Training...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, Jerry! ❤️❤️
Mikey, 2/14/16, came to us as a foster the end of June, 2wks after rear left amp. Now, at 6mo, he's doing awesome! Perfect, except for wanting to play with 9yo kitty Pumpkin, who isn't interested. At all.
Love to all! Jo, Mikey and, reluctantly, Pumpkin.
Thank you for posting my struggle!!
I recently adopted a 2 year old who had already adapted to walking on 3 legs by the time she came to the shelter. She had suffered an irreparable injury and her front right leg was amputated. If anything, the day I picked her up after surgery, she had MORE energy than before.
She is now one week post-op and it has been difficult to slow her down. When we go for potty breaks, she wants to go for a jog. When we are resting on the couch, she wants to play with the cat. When I come home from work, she wants to jump up on me (a habit we are trying to break), and roll around squirming all over the floor.
We have been learning a few commands, she didn't know any previously, but I was really looking for something else to help wear her out, because when she gets frustrated she gets even wilder!
I will try the puzzle toys and read up on more training. I would like to join a group obedience class, but I don't know when I won't feel so nervous about her being around other potentially playful dogs that might hurt her. I really feel like a new mom bringing home a baby. I have never stressed so much about what I should be doing for her and if it's the right or wrong thing.
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