Re: Daycare... I have definitely decided against free running daycare until Charlie is over a year old - I'm not going through this worry about the amount of exercise....I mean, if he can't do one group walk on Wimbledon common with 2 quiet older dogs without hurting himself... : : : I would like Obi's Thursday care ideally - structured shorter play slots would be perfect. Charlie would have great fun at a free running place, but I don't think it would be great for his behaviour and obedience (I know I could compensate by training more, but I'm not sure I have the skills). My dog walker is good though, and the dogs she walks are lovely, and she is very strict with Charlie and his hooligan manners. So when I'm busy, Charlie (when he's a bit older) can join 2 group walks a day with her,one in the morning and one in the afternoon. She does his walks on his own now. I reckon absent Obi's people setting up in London, that's the best option.
Re: Daycare... Thanks for asking, that's kind of you. He was doing a bit better, I'd been making him take it easy on walks. But last night - I took him to a flat playing field where there wasn't anything to get him too excited or things to jump over (he has not heard of the no jumping rule until you are 1, and will take massive flying jumps over ditches, tree trunks etc), and it was going well. But then another labrador appeared and they had a bit of a run around. Charlie started holding up his back leg, so we immediately stopped them, and I took him home. Now waiting for the vets to open....I've got to go away again for 3 days this week, so it's not the best time. :
Re: Daycare... :'( I hope the vet manages to help Charlie today. Let us know how you get on. Licks from Harley x
Re: Daycare... Well, the vet gave him a good exam and said that there was no sign of any tenderness in any of his joints, and no swelling etc. (He was very good, having a tummy rub on his back while she manipulated his leg.) And it's highly likely to be a pull or strain and nothing else. He has been prescribed 2 x 15 minute lead walks for 7 days, plus painkillers. So that's his gundog lesson cancelled, his swimming cancelled and his trips out to the common with the dog walker cancelled. I was surprised that his swimming had to be cancelled but she said it's too hard exercise when they first start doing it. He is bouncing off the walls already.... Oh well, we've got plenty of clicker training that's seriously overdue. And we had started a shape recognition trick that is quite fun, so we can finish that. I'll have to cut his food down though, so he'll have to work for tiny treats.
Re: Daycare... That's good news The exercise restriction is a pain, but it's really good that it's most likely to be a heal-able injury.
Re: Daycare... Oh Julie , what a nuisance and not nice for Charlie either, but unfortunately its the usual method of treating sprains , Sam had just the same at around Charlies age, mind games for your young lad for a little while , get well soon Charlie
Re: Daycare... Poor boy, and yes we've been there too! Cuillin badly sprained her shoulder having a wild game with another dog when she was seven months old (I fondly remember having to had to carry her a good distance down off the hill and home, luckily she only a wee lab!) and it was a bit vulenrable to tweaking after that. so after another tweak that led to constant limping for a few days my sister advised a proper rest for a few days, no rough playing, then after that short lead walks only like Charlie. I had Brods too by then, and it was a nightmare trying to stop them playing wildly in the house! Caught them sofa diving in unison once....we did lots of mind games for a few weeks and lots of clicker training daft tricks and fun stuff... actually they seemed to quite enjoy it! and I developed a huge menu of frozen kongs...Hope Charlie gets better soon and doesn't bounce off the walls too much!
Re: Daycare... Thanks all - it's really comforting to hear that your puppies had similar things. I guess it's the age for them to be silly and over do it when they are overflowing with all that puppy excitement. Stops me feeling like a bad mother!
Re: Daycare... Ah you aren't Julie,it sounds quite a common thing although it never stops the panic rising over them does it....sounds like he's going to be ok ,there will be an extra page of instructions this time you go away,I'm sure x
Re: Daycare... Well a relief that it isn't too serious, and can be solved relatively easily. Charlie will emerge after his rest with a whole repatoire of tricks and newly honed behaviours that will put the rest of us to shame...well, Simba, anyways.
Re: Daycare... thank goodness it is nothing serious,we also had to do 5 weeks of very short lead walks,......i am sure he should start to feel better after a weeks rest,....my surgeon did not recommend swimming x
