So after drooling over Karen's pictures....I'm struggling to cope... 8am: 15 min walk to the vet (there and back) 9am: In his pen with small breakfast stuffed in kongs 10am: Garden break, then 1 small raw hide chew by my desk 11am: clicker training sit on my left hand side – we managed 360 degrees turns but his bum is swinging out (I’m going to check with the vet whether all this sitting down and getting up is ok though). 12 noon: Loooong sniff round the garden. Called the vet – sitting and getting up is ok. So had another go at sit on my left hand side clicker training. 1pm: Car trip to pets at home to see what we could find in the way of mind games. Not much. But we said hello to the rabbits. 2pm: Garden trip, then find kibble in scrunched up newspaper game. What a mess. Clean up mess. 3pm: Played his favourite game – I lie on the floor with him and he gets a long tummy and back massage, which he seemed to particularly enjoy today, then he eats my socks (on my feet) and drops his empty kongs on my head. I'm not at all sure this counts as "mind games". 4pm: 15 minute lead walk I’m BORED ALREADY! : : : Is this going to harm Charlie, all this boredom? I hope he doesn’t turn into a destructive madpup… I think we’ll try a sniffer game at 5pm – I’ll teach him to find the smell I show him. Need cloth bags and smelly things. Lavender, blackpepper corns and nutmeg do? It’s all I’ve got in…it’s like thinking up things for a kid’s party…
Re: Bed rest - day one Ahhhhhh bless you Julie. I think it sounds like Charlie has quite a lot to do through the day. I know he usually more active, but you are definitely keeping him on her toes with training Hopefully it won't be too long before he is back to full fitness x
Re: Bed rest - day one Oh dear, poor you Hope the week doesn't drag too much. At least you'll be able to make progress with the clicker stuff.
Re: Bed rest - day one Julie,When the summer was so hot and and due to dexters age we were really stuck in the house a lot.i bought a Mind Games Book...it has all kinds of things in....tidy up toys,name a toy,learn colours....we aren't successful at a lot of them but it did fill time in when we were house bound...just asking them to do something,however trivial is working their minds Your challenge will probably be because Charlie does so much 'proper' training,a lot of it might feel a bit silly compared to his lessons but if it gets you through the rest period ,that's all you need.i know you are going to feel restricted and frustrated as much as Charlie ....I'm sorry you've got this going on but hopefully he will be better after this rest period ,big pat to Charlie and best Wishes to you x
Re: Bed rest - day one [quote author=Dexter link=topic=3424.msg37542#msg37542 date=1385399380] Julie,When the summer was so hot and and due to dexters age we were really stuck in the house a lot.i bought a Mind Games Book...it has all kinds of things in....tidy up toys,name a toy,learn colours....we aren't successful at a lot of them but it did fill time in when we were house bound...just asking them to do something,however trivial is working their minds [/quote] Thanks! Will look on Amazon now...have also been through my training homework to work out how much of it we can do in the house with a clicker. A fair bit, so I'll get more organised for tomorrow. Then, anyway, Grandad takes over so he'll have 3 days of tuggie frog and find the snake - which he loves. : On the up side, the Vet has found an amazing hydro place for me with a really, really, huge swimming pool, and much nearer than the one I was booked to go to. And she said Charlie might be ok to go next week.
Re: Bed rest - day one Mine is Brain Games for Dogs Claire Arrowsmith......might be worth a look Grandad will enjoy some cuddle time I'm sure too that will rest Charlie up...least it's the winter and you aren't missing gorgeous outside time,it would be a lot harder for you all Another time of the year x
Re: Bed rest - day one [quote author=Dexter link=topic=3424.msg37549#msg37549 date=1385400638] Mine is Brain Games for Dogs Claire Arrowsmith...... [/quote] Found it - it looks great!
Re: Bed rest - day one Oh dear Julie - is it you or Charlie that is more stir crazy? Are you getting any work done? x
Re: Bed rest - day one [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=3424.msg37557#msg37557 date=1385402947] Oh dear Julie - is it you or Charlie that is more stir crazy? Are you getting any work done? x [/quote] It's me! ;D ;D ;D A fair bit of work, I work best in 45min to 1hour slots, but Charlie prowling round constantly doesn't help! Haven't got the heart to shut him in his pen all the time. Nevermind, can hand over to Grandad soon.
Re: Bed rest - day one Sorry to hear about this rest. It's a nightmare this resting lark - I've got Tarka on 3 months rest from tomorrow morning and I don't know who is going to be worse, me or her!
Re: Bed rest - day one [quote author=Lochan link=topic=3424.msg37561#msg37561 date=1385403444] Sorry to hear about this rest. It's a nightmare this resting lark - I've got Tarka on 3 months rest from tomorrow morning and I don't know who is going to be worse, me or her! [/quote] 3 months! Gosh... that's really tough.
Re: Bed rest - day one Charlie is a lucky boy to have someone who puts as much thought into his care as you do, Julie Hope you manage to stay sane That's great that the vet has found a good hydro place. Is it one you can swim in at the same time too?
Re: Bed rest - day one Julie I don't know how but I seem to have missed why Charlie is on bed rest! What's he done? Jen
Re: Bed rest - day one He's pulled or strained something in his right back leg - the vet says it's unlikely to be anything more, but he's on lead walks and anti-inflamatories for 7 days. All his trips to the common and social appointments cancelled - his gun dog lessons, swimming, play dates, all gone - and he is NOT a happy boy. He can't even come with me when I got out to do chores - postbox, cashpoint etc. I'm off on a business trip, leaving him in the capable hands of OH and my Dad. I'd be surprised if he hasn't chewed the house down by the time I get back. Last "activity" was clicker training bring back the dummy (we've so done this already, but I have to keep him occupied so I thought we'd perfect our pick up in the middle). He pounced on his dummy like he hadn't seen one for a year! The poor little chap was so grateful to have something to do... He is SO bored.
Re: Bed rest - day one Poor Charlie and poor you. He' ll be perfect at clicker retrieve by the end of 7 days! Fingers crossed for speedy recovery Jen
Re: Bed rest - day one Oh no!!!! Missed the original thread, so wasn't aware you were having problems. Poor Charlie… Poor you… Poor OH… Poor Dad… But it's the best thing. In a week's time it'll all be forgotten…
Re: Bed rest - day one Must stop moaning, really, hopefully it's only a week. Anyway, Dad has an endless capacity to spend time playing with Charlie (he doesn't have to do it everyday!), so it'll be fine. I've discovered I don't have much motivation for tricks - I always want things to be useful. Paw on the circle, pick up the cross, got a bit dull. What else - gundog wise - can I clicker train in the house? We're there on stage 1 (apart from actually doing it in a field!) I could have a look at book 2 and 3 I suppose.
Re: Bed rest - day one I knew you'd be fed up with tricks....i think it's a good thing you are away on business for 3 days....you'd probably go a bit nuts otherwise......our housebound months were helped by EVERYONE in the city being pretty much house bound too so I had a lot of visitors ....always something going on or someone popping in.im dreading next summer when he's older and needs more excercise.....get Christmas out the way and I'll start planning!!!!!!!days are passing Julie,how is his walking anyway? X
Re: Bed rest - day one I am enjoying being away more than last time, I have to say! Been a bit tied to my desk lately (which has the advantage of being able to have the forum running in the background on my pc - life saver, as always). Hats off to you Angela, I honestly don't know how you cope in Dubai - well, I do, with a huge amount of ingenuity! You were planning Christmas in August, and now August at Christmas! Gosh, I need to take a leaf out of your book. I haven't even started on the pressies yet. I haven't noticed him limping at all - but it's hard to say really. It was only really, really obvious when it hurt him after playing with the other dog. Up to that point, OH and I were arguing about which leg it was. I'd say he is less keen to get up once he's lying down though, and he sort of shuffles around like he's trying to get comfy.
