Advice about my dog please...

[lisey]

Hi all, I really hope someone can help me. My dog had to have an operation a few days ago on his leg. He is not allowed to walk on the floor, run, jump, slide etc. So basically has to stay as still as possible. He has a cage and is allowed on my lap for cuddles so long as I make sure he doesn't jump off etc.
My problem is, he hates to cage, whimpers and makes the weirdest noises constantly. I hardly slept last night and I feel tied down to the sofa. I am finding it exhausting as he just wants to be on my lap which I can't do all the time as I have other things that need to be done and I am also terrified of him damaging his leg.
Any advice on how I can reduce his anxiety about the cage, is it better if he's in a different room from me? shall I ignore the whimpering (this is impossible though). I feel like I have a newborn again apart from its harder because there is a risk of him permanently damaging his leg. Any advice or tips are welcome, I have phoned the vets to see if there is anything I can give him to calm him or some more painkillers etc so just waiting to hear back from them xx

 

[Emily0505]

Try leaving an article of clothing you have been wearing in with him.

Give him long lasting chews, bones or stuffed kongs to keep him occupied. Just be aware of how much food he has as you don't want him to gain weight while on restricted exercise.

There is a product called Adaptil which can help dogs to cope better with anxiety. I expect your vet will have it, if not order it online.

Has he been in a cage before? If not it will take him time to get used to it.

What surgery did he have?

XX

 

[lisey]

I have put a scarf of mine in there along with his fave blankets and cushions. He has never been in a cage. I wish I had introduced one earlier, just never thought it would be an issue.
I will watch how much food he has, how much do you think I should reduce it by?
He had a ruptured ligament in his knee, poor little fella. I love him to pieces but he is driving me mad x

 

[Emily0505]

Oh dear. How long is his cage rest period?

If he only had his op a couple of days ago then its still really early days. Give him time hun, he will settle.

Just keep an eye on his weight hun. He needs energy to heal so don't cut it back drastically. Maybe just divide his food up into loads of small meals throughout the day and feed him in a kong to help prevent boredom.

Hope he settles for you soon

XX

 

[lisey]

You are officially my saviour lol. I quickly dashed to pets and home and got the adaptil. He is happily sleeping in his cage now. I am amazed

His recovery period is three months altogether but 6 weeks in the cage He is such an active, lively dog so must be very frustrating for him.

I will do that with his food, thanks so much for your help xx

 

[Emily0505]

You are welcome

XX

 

[kinkers]

I can't help much as my dog just curls up and goes to sleep in her cage if I put her in it and think Emily has given you all the advice I can think of!

You have to make it a nice place for him, especially if he's not used to it, he needs to know it's a good place and not a bad place so I would try giving him his dinner in his cage, and any treats, when you put him in there give him lots of strokes and 'good boys'. Clothing with your smell on it will help too. It is hard but you need to ignore his whimpering otherwise he'll just carry on doing it as he knows it makes you come back to him. You can go back to him when he is quiet, even if he just pauses for 20 seconds, he'll gradually learn that you come when he is silent and not when he cries and will therefore stay quieter for longer... if you go down that route than you'll find that you can increase the time and he'll get more and more used to it! Saying that though, some people say you can't teach an old dog new tricks and all that but I think it really depends on his breed and nature. Good luck!

 

[kirsty27]

Fingers crossed as time goes on he will accept the cage once he is used to it. I had the same thing a few years ago when my dog had an op on his crucial ligament he was in the crate for 3 months. The first week was the worst and then he seemed to accept it. We covered the top of the cage with blankets too so it was his snuggly den which seemed to help for some reason!

 

[lisey]

I can't help much as my dog just curls up and goes to sleep in her cage if I put her in it and think Emily has given you all the advice I can think of!

You have to make it a nice place for him, especially if he's not used to it, he needs to know it's a good place and not a bad place so I would try giving him his dinner in his cage, and any treats, when you put him in there give him lots of strokes and 'good boys'. Clothing with your smell on it will help too. It is hard but you need to ignore his whimpering otherwise he'll just carry on doing it as he knows it makes you come back to him. You can go back to him when he is quiet, even if he just pauses for 20 seconds, he'll gradually learn that you come when he is silent and not when he cries and will therefore stay quieter for longer... if you go down that route than you'll find that you can increase the time and he'll get more and more used to it! Saying that though, some people say you can't teach an old dog new tricks and all that but I think it really depends on his breed and nature. Good luck!

Thanks for your reply. We have ignored the whimpering and I think he is learning. I am only taking him out for cuddles and fusses when he is quiet and not as often either as he was relying on it too much. He has my dressing gown in there (I will have to be cold lol) as he loves it and I think that has helped. I think the adaptil has helped loads though as he is just generally calmer which is great for all of us, especially him, poor little pup x

Fingers crossed as time goes on he will accept the cage once he is used to it. I had the same thing a few years ago when my dog had an op on his crucial ligament he was in the crate for 3 months. The first week was the worst and then he seemed to accept it. We covered the top of the cage with blankets too so it was his snuggly den which seemed to help for some reason!

That's the same op that my dog has had. I am dreading the next few months as I feel so sorry for him in there. I have covered the top too and it does look cosy in there x

 

[kirsty27]

Poor thing. It will all be worth it though - that op gave my 13 year old boy a new lease of life xx

 

[lisey]

My pup is only 3 so super active and lively so this is torture for him but has to be done to get him back to his energetic little self