Hello! My 2 year old yellow lab Molly recently had TPLO surgery on her rear leg. She cannot do any walking except for 2-3 quick potty breaks a day (then in crate otherwise). This pent up energy is causing her to go into her zoomies and attack me by biting as I’m trying to hold her down since she can’t run or jump. She does this when she knows I’m trying to get her back inside which means back in her crate. It’s quite difficult trying to pick her up during these zoomies because she’s 60 lbs, twisting her body and biting me. She is on sedatives but it doesn’t seem to assist with managing the zoomies on bathroom breaks. Treats don’t snap her out of it either (not even high value). I’m at my wits end. This morning I didn’t put her harness on and her collar slipped over her head and she ran around the yard. I’m so stressed she’s going to reinjure her knee. Any advice on her to keep her and myself safe during these zoomies post-surgery? Thank you in advance from a worried and frustrated mom.
Take this time to train her impulse control. Start very gradually with sit (stay), gradually increasing the time and the distractions. Use her food rations so she's earning her meals. Concentrating is very tiring.
I agree that any super calm training you can do may well help. I would also resort to bribery, and put some AMAZING jackpot food rewards (hot chicken, the contents of a cat food pouch, etc) in the back of her crate when you let her out to potty, so she smells them when she comes in, and gets a big reward for going in the crate. And anything you can give her to stimulate her brain, like food puzzle toys etc may help. (Make sure all this comes off her daily total food allowance, otherwise you'll have a very large pup by the end of the crate rest period ) Is it worth talking to the vet about whether to adjust the dose or type of sedative perhaps? Just like people, different dogs response differently to the same drugs.
