very active dog on crate rest for a month....

[Anonymous]

My poor dog (1YO) was injured a couple of days ago and although he seems fine now, out of N abundance of caution his vet wants him on crate rest for a month. He can walk around my place a little but no jumping, playing, running, etc. he is SO active and I have a feeling he (and I) will be miserable. The vet has suggested mental stimulation games/activities but I have no idea where to start. Has anyone BTDT and have ANY advice for surviving this month? Thank you!!!

[Anonymous]

Purchase real cow bones (with some meat) for dogs from your local butcher. You will likely have to ask for these bones.

When my dog had knee surgery, we gave him one a day to keep him happy. We keep these bones in our freezer.

[Anonymous]

When our dog was recovering from an ACL repair, we arranged the kids' play yard panels into a small rectangle enclosing her bed and water and food dishes. Her movement was restricted, as ordered, but somehow she didn't seem to feel as caged as she was in her crate. We set this up in our family room, which is open to our kitchen, and she was happy to be in the middle of things with her family around her.

[Anonymous]

Work on obedience command, sit, stay, etc. and games - my daughters got a 'teach your dog tricks' book that would have lots of ideas.

[Anonymous]

I did the Dognition exercises with my dog and they were not too physical and very interesting for me. You could try that- there's a cost (but I don't know how much since I got it as a gift).

[Anonymous]

Agree with the obedience suggestions. Now is a great time to proof down stays! Read up on shaping, if you aren't familiar with the term. When my dog was on crate rest, we shaped a lot of safe behaviors--"go to your mat", nose touches, pulling tissues out of a box, going around an object, etc.

Also think about games like hide and seek. Hide individual kibbles around the house instead of using a bowl at meal times, and let him sniff them out.

[Anonymous]

My beagle injured her back and was on "crate rest" for a month. Basically, we did what we could. With a beagle (who is not obedient) we kept her as quiet as possible, sealed off the doggy door, kept her walks to around the block, and kept her on her meds. She recovered fine.

I think the vets know that full crate rest is not completely possible. It's like ordering a pregnant woman to bed rest.

[Anonymous]

My dog hurt her neck and was on "crate rest" for 6 weeks. We had already experienced her seeming better but as soon as she was overactive her neck pain would increase. I hand fed her so she would not have to strain her neck muscles. We blocked off the stairs. If she had to go upstairs we would carry her. We only took her out to go to the bathroom. I spent as much time sitting with her as possible. We pulled down our front curtains so she wouldn't bark at everyone going by and get herself all wound up. She did end up having to be in her crate quite a bit. It was a lot more work for us but after about 6 weeks she seems fully healed.

[Anonymous]

I still took mine on short walks when she was supposed to be 'resting" I used a short leash though and kept her right next to me. I usually use a retractable leash and she has free reign.

[Anonymous]

What everyone else said. Plus kongs filled with peanut butter. But do not feel so sorry for your dog that you actually end up doing more harm than good. My frenchie took a bad fall down stairs. Hurt his back. He was 7 years old. We had him on months of crate rest (we actually put him in a "pen" inside the living room, so he'd have a slightly bigger area but still be significantly restrained). It felt rough for everyone but he healed completely and now, years later, his back is still good. I know others who skimped on the restraining and have to deal with recurrent injuries.