Post-spay Woes

[Julie B.]

Hi all- don't really have a question just at the mid-point of the two-week keep my puppy calm phase following her spay. We're both going nuts! Any advice on diversions? I've been buying her good chew items but we both just want to go for a walk!! (She still goes pretty crazy on a walk so it's out of the question- plus all the squirrels are out burying nuts!!) Let the countdown to stiches removal begin!!

[Daisy'sMom]

No real advice here, just sympathy because I remember all too well! Thankfully, we have an office/den w/ french doors so we just kept Daisy confined in there. Those last few days though are really hard before the stitches come out because they feel good and are ready to GO! I remember Daisy would pace in the office, just itching to get out and run around. I think the last few days I kind of threw in the towel and all was fine. I certainly didn't take her for any walks or anything and did our best to keep her from jumping on the furniture. Otherwise we just kind of let her go around the house (not up the stairs) and she was fine. Good luck!!

[Julie B.]

Thanks Daisy's Mom- nice to know that I'm not alone. I also feel bad for her because she's used to running and playing. Ugh. Good thing about dogs is that they get over it (def. more quickly than we do!!)

[lindamarie]

All I can say is I completely understand and remember!

Poor babies......they don't understand it either. It's like. "Why are you doing this to me?"

I can recall just telling myself over and over of the things that could happen if we don't stick to our guns. If they hurt themselves.....well.......add another few weeks from healing from a tear or something else that will result in a "fix up" job. Then it's all prolonged.

Like me, you will soon look at this as a step of puppyhood well behind you.

[judycarl2001]

One of the things we did when Molly was laid up was giving her jobs to do which was part of general training anyway. I would hide treats around the house...first let her smell it...then hide, and then use the command "go find it". She loved walking around searching and then would get to eat the treat after she found it! A big part of training a dog is mental exercise as well as physical exercise. They love the challenge and it can lead into other commands like "leave it". Believe me she will love the games....and the interaction with you. Helps solidifying the "leader" role for you too.

One other thing we did was go for rides. If your car isn't too big a jump for her to get into we would go for a ride...park by the beach and let her watch the people and dogs.

Good luck! She looks like she's really beautiful!!

[lindamarie]

GREAT suggestions, Judy!

[Riverkatie]

What a good suggestion. Even the vet was laughing when they said Ruff would have to be quiet for 2 weeks!

I shall train him to do all sorts of fun things around the house.

[browndog]

ah yes...we did lots of drives with Katey after her spay surgery. She loves to sniff the air and look around and somehow drives seemed to help a lot! We would take for drives almost every night during her "power hour" between 7:30 and 9:00 pm when she normally goes bananas running around the house. We also made every one of her meals into some sort of kong or chew toy that had to be figured out, and often kept her on a leash indoors so we could stop her from jumping.

[Julie B.]

Thanks for all the great ideas! I like the hide-the-treat! unfortunately the car ride would be like additional torture - she's not a fan!!

[Julie B.]

Ahhh...sweet relief! Cone off and stitches out! Let the puppy games begin!!

[lindamarie]

Originally Posted by Julie B.

Ahhh...sweet relief! Cone off and stitches out! Let the puppy games begin!!

AIN'T LIFE GRAND???
It's over with forever!! You made it! YAY!!!!
Now ENJOY your doodle!