My young lab is currently confined whilst waiting for a referral for her bad leg (cruciate) and is getting very bored. I'm doing a couple of minutes a day of slow heel, sit and stay but don't feel comfortable asking her to do more, although she'd happily run around like a loon ! I've started teaching the hand touch, and was wondering what other things I could train that would hopefully help keep her engaged and learning without having to move too much ? Thanks
Re: Ideas for training/tricks for a confined young lab You could train some basics like paw and high five. When Harley was poorly I brought a treat game from pets at home where she had to lift the flaps to try and find the treats......this kept her occupied for at least 15 mins each time Hopefully some others will be along soon who have had to manage calm behaviour (JulieT)
Re: Ideas for training/tricks for a confined young lab You really need to check with your vet whether anything involving repeated sitting is ok - my vet thought not. You can concentrate on targets - have them in a standing position though - mats, cones etc. touch the cone, go round the cone. 4 paws on the mat, 2 paws on the mat. You can also do positions around you - front, left, right (all standing). Back up, slow turn, respond to pressure on a collar. You can do settle cue. You could also back chain the retrieve in a standing position. You can work on steadiness an inch at a time (if there is no risk of your dog leaping for an object). You can perfect leave it... You could try a book - learning games, by Kay Laurence and pick the things that are safe to do. Best of luck with it.
Re: Ideas for training/tricks for a confined young lab Hi, below is what Julie T kindly sent me a few weeks ago as Buster (now 9 months old)has elbow displaysia and i was finding it difficult to know what to do with him, still struggle sometimes but it has got a bit easier, well it's easier when Buster is calm but then decides to have a mad one so that he ends up limping again. I do a game like pass the parcel but obviouslly Buster is just ripping up the paper himself but keeps him amused for a few minutes while he finds the treats, i've now started clicker training as well which keeps him calm. This is Charlie's routine: 6am Out to the garden on a lead for a pee, playtime and cuddles, physio exercises 7.30am 25 – 30 min lead walk After walk: settle down in his pen with a 8in1 chew Mid morning: clicker train any new physio exercises Noon: Physio exercises then 15 – 20 min lead walk Mid afternoon: Playtime 4pm 25 – 30 min lead walk After walk - settle down in pen with a small rice – or similar - chew 6pm Physio exercises, then 10 – 15 min lead walk Frozen Kongs after the 6pm walk Cuddles and back and leg massages mid evening, more frozen kongs 10pm 5 – 10 min lead walk When Charlie isn't doing any of the above he is in his pen, or in the kitchen if someone is working in there. If I let him have the run of the house, he would drive me mad with his constant nagging, chewing and general refusal to settle. In terms of time fillers, I can't claim credit for them - I think every one of these has been suggested on the forum and I've just collected the ones that work for us: 8in1 filled rawhide (small - only one a day) Anco roots Pizzles Frozen kongs Hard packaging with kibble inside An entire newspapers scrunched up in one big pass the parcel with a bit of kibble in each sheet Frozen rice hedgehogs filled with soaked kibble Kong goodie bones (I fill these with sea wraps - sticks of sweet potato wrap in fish skin) Kong wobblers Kibble hidden between the balls of a trixie cube The best quiet game is he has to lie very still (if he moves, we don't play) and catch a soft ball (we use the trixie cube balls) and give it back to me. He loves it, and will play it for ages.
Re: Ideas for training/tricks for a confined young lab Also the lovely Julie T sent me this link on a book called No walks No Worries, it finally came last week so i havent got through it all yet. http://www.amazon.co.uk/walks-worries-Maintaining-wellbeing-restricted/dp/1845846052
Re: Ideas for training/tricks for a confined young lab Do let us know what you think of the book, Helen. I hope it helps.
Re: Ideas for training/tricks for a confined young lab Thanks everyone, lots of ideas. They should keep her (and me) busy !
