sick dog:(

[Eita]

Hi,
my dog EA has an injured tendon or that is what the vets say. For more than a month we haven' t done long walks which she loves. She is bored and impatient - but what can we do? She starts limping badly after just a short walk. I feel so guilty and having her eyes on me all the time, waiting for the slightest sign of her ususual walks - I can't bear it!!!

Does she understand that it is for her own best? Animals seem to understand that visits to the vet are for their own best. But what about everyday life?

She is getting treatment and we are doing further exams tomorrow.

[jamielvsaustin]

Instead of working her physically try mentally. Make her work for her meals. Do you have any work to eat toys? These would be things like the Kong, Kong Wobbler, some food puzzles and such. You can also use her kibble to simply get her to do tricks. I know it's not the same as the physically part but it does work, and it will help lessen her boredom.

Good luck!

[Eita]

Thanks, I do try to play with her but she is mostly into physical games:) Should try the mental ones but didn't really understand your examples?

[jamielvsaustin]

Oh! I'm sorry...I think there might be a language barrier.

Here is a Kong...you put treats, food or a mix of both in it. Sometimes you can put it in the freezer (after the food is in it) and that makes it harder for the dog to get it out.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=kong&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=983&bih=564&wrapid=tlif133124390362510&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=gStZT47HG8fz0gG4wsixDw#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=kong+dog+toy&oq=kong+dog+toy&aq=f&aqi=g1g-S9&aql=&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=5844l6813l0l7000l8l8l0l0l0l0l187l1016l0.7l7l0&gs_l=img.3..0j0i24l9.5844l6813l0l7000l8l8l0l0l0l0l187l1016l0j7l7l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=155fd9bc9a3f9d83&biw=983&bih=564
Some favorite things to put in the kong are peanut butter, plain yogurt and canned (tinned) dog food.
The Kong wobbler looks like this, and it is meant for dry food or treats. It is heavy at the bottom and the dog must knock it over with their paw or nose to make the food come out.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=kong&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=983&bih=564&wrapid=tlif133124390362510&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=gStZT47HG8fz0gG4wsixDw#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=kong+wobbler+dog+toy&oq=kong+wobbler+dog+toy&aq=f&aqi=g-S2&aql=&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=135360l136688l2l136938l8l8l0l0l0l1l141l750l5.3l8l0&gs_l=img.3..0i24l2.135360l136688l2l136938l8l8l0l0l0l1l141l750l5j3l8l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=155fd9bc9a3f9d83&biw=983&bih=564

A food puzzle is something like this, and you hide the food and the dog must find it.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=kong&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=983&bih=564&wrapid=tlif133124390362510&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=gStZT47HG8fz0gG4wsixDw#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=food+puzzles+for+dogs&oq=food+puzzles+for+dogs&aq=f&aqi=g1g-mS1&aql=&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=6296l10062l6l10171l12l11l0l0l0l0l188l986l7.3l10l0&gs_l=img.3..0j0i5i24.6296l10062l6l10171l12l11l0l0l0l0l188l986l7j3l10l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=155fd9bc9a3f9d83&biw=983&bih=564

Some things you can make at home. If you have a muffin tin and tennis balls-that's an easy one. You put small amounts of food in each muffin space, then you put a tennis ball over it. The dog must move the balls to get to the food.

Hope that helps clarify a little better

[Eita]

Ok, thanks! will have a look at that!

[Eita]

Hi
those toys look kind of fun, but have never seen them in Central America. Have tu use imagination!

EA's mum

[Curly_07]

The work to eat toys and such Jamie posted are great! On rainy/snowy days I like to use these for one of my girls, as she is very high energy/drive. The Tug-a-Jug is another great work to eat toy that I use. You put the food in it, and the dog has to manuver it around to get the food out.

Here's a link for it:
http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Busy-Budd ... B000KV7ZGQ

They also make some really cool doggy puzzles! Like these:
http://www.activedogtoys.com/collection ... zzle-games

Mental stimulation tires a dog out way better than phisical stimulation!

[Leslie H]

Does she understand that it is for her own best? Animals seem to understand that visits to the vet are for their own best. But what about everyday life?

The bull breeds are notorious for not responding to pain, and ignoring injuries. They enjoy activity so much that they will injure and reinjure themselves. You need to be the one that restricts her, she won't do it. Sorry she is hurt.

[Eita]

Oh thanks guys for your replies, you really inspire me! Here in CA, none of those toys exist. And EA forgets all about her pains once she is out on the street. Otherwise she is pretty sensitive:) But we will try to be creative.

Thanks,
this is a great forum

[Curly_07]

You can order them online and have them shipped to you That's what I usually do here because I'm too lazy to go find them at the store

[Eita]

Well, has to be investigated, otherwise we find our home-made things

[Shoshana]

You can hide food under a cardboard box (like an upside down shoe box...)

[Eita]

Hi, yes we play with her a little, but now she has a definitive diagnosis: ostocondritis and should rest as much as possible. It's always good to have a diagnosis.