Sorry I've not been on for a while. Just thought I'd update you on Bob. The neuter went very well indeed and Bob recovered brilliantly. We used the time to do extensive lead training for the pulling and he's made great progress. One small thing is that he seems to be a bit nervous suddenly around larger dogs and growls and barks at them. This is not like Bob, so we wonder if it's because he's not had the opportunity to play off lead as much while he was recovering?! Our trainer just said to go nuts if he greets a dog nicely and give him lots of praise so we have started doing that. Anyway we got the all clear from the vet last Thursday evening and started on our first off lead walks on the Friday and he had about 3 over the weekend. I noticed a VERY subtle limp the other day and so I thought best to take him to the vet. She thinks it's likely to just be a sprain and has prescribed anti inflammatories and 5-7 days of crate rest! GAH!!!! I feel SO sorry for poor old Bob, he's only JUST been allowed back out there and now he's confined to his crate. Firstly I'm worrying that it affect his socialisation even more because he's not allowed out for the next week or so?! I mean could he get more aggressive towards other dogs?! Also is there a chance he could forget all his wonderful lead training that we've been doing?! Also are there any things that we can do to keep him entertained in his crate? We've been giving his meals in kongs and he has a few extra chews. OH has relocated downstairs to the crate area so he's got company during the day. He LOVES his crate and we don't want him developing a negative association towards it. But it must be boring as hell for him. Thanks for your help & advice. Lou & Bob
Oh poor Bob. Is the limp on the front or hind leg? As the owner of a dog with ED you have my sympathy with a dog on restricted exercise/rest. Is the vet not allowing any exercise? When Juno first started limping we went on restricted exercise - 1 x 15 minute walk a day and on a lead for all trips to the garden . When Juno had her surgery we were allowed 3 x3 minutes walks a day, but as she was such a good girl I didn't have to crate her, which is just as well as I'd sold her crate a week before . There is a Sticky Topic started by Julie T with suggestions for things you can do with your dog wen they are under restrictions http://thelabradorforum.com/forum/n...-things-to-do-for-dogs-on-restricted-exercise Can't make any suggestions on the socialisation except I wouldn't be overly concerned as it's only a week.
Hi thanks for commenting, it's his front right leg. Personally I thought it was more his shoulder than his elbow. The vet moved it around and he didn't seem overly bothered or in pain. I'm racking my brain trying to think of what he could have done. He did come into the house the other day and skidded and literally did the splits, but OH is convinced we noticed the limp before that. Anyway, the vet said crate rest for 5-7 days. It does seem a bit extreme but we will take her advice to the letter. Thanks for the link to the other thread, I've got to pop out now but will take a look when I'm home later. I'm trying not to worry, but you can't help it can you?! I'm also upset because training was going SO well, I don't want to lose that. And I don't want him to be out of the 'scene' for too long, he needs doggy company.
Oh poor lad , I hope he feels lots better soon , try not to worry too much about the training , a young lad will soon pick up where he left off , good luck x
Even on crate rest I would still be doing some training as long as it doesn't involve running around, jumping etc as it certainly helps to keep their brains active and tire them out mentally. Try not to worry too much Bob will be fine, vets tend to be very cautious nowadays when a dog is reported to be limping and it is best to take that approach
Ah, what rotten luck! I hope it all clears up soon. I completely appreciate that a few weeks feels like a lifetime when you have a young Labrador on rest, but it's quite a short time that you are dealing with, and I don't think his socialisation or training will be significantly affected. His reaction to other dogs might possibly be to do with him being neutered now, or nothing to do with it and it's just a coincidence, but it's probably unlikely to be due to him not being off lead for a couple of weeks. You might see whether there is a socialisation class around you? I went to a few with Charlie (when he was 1.5years, but he'd been on rest since 8 months), and found them very helpful.
Thanks all for your kind wishes and advice - yes we will do some gentle training with him. Good idea. Like treat if he looks at me etc. and leave it. Most of the stuff we do like spin roll stay etc all involve a lot of movement. Fingers crossed for a quick recovery he's a very good patient. After he had his surgery he used to sit there with his cone on whilst me and my soon both hoovered his coat with Dysons! He's soooo tolerant bless him. A lot of dogs would have been totally freaked out.
