Hi All,
I am just going to throw this open for ideas and suggestions. I have a client who, at present I have and am doing some 'pet visits' for, but as they are aware that I also carry out 1>1 training/behaviour advice I know that they may require help with training (and potential behaviour) issues in the future. Read on and you can imagine why!
Dog: 6 month old Lab - male.
Purchased from a KC accredited breeder after many months research by the owners.
Owners: Couple with 2 young boys (1x8yrs & 1x14yrs).
I know for sure that the 8year old boy is I believe, autistic. I have not met the 14year old but have been told by a common acquaintance that he may have learning difficulties also.
The wife has given up work to stay at home. They are first time dog owners and thought a puppy/dog would be a great addition to the family.
Well;
Said puppy went lame some weeks ago. Outcome is;
Puppy has joint problems in both elbows.
Has had an arthroscopy procedure in both elbows a couple of days ago.
Left elbow had severe OCD and literally a crater of undeveloped elbow joint under the huge flap (flap now removed). Right elbow joint has displaysia.
Puppy now confined to crate at home and only allowed 2>3 x 5minute on-lead garden walks for next couple of weeks, then building up by 5mins per walk UFN. The vet has told them: No interaction with other dogs (lively pup, would want to play), no jumping up, up on furniture etc, no playing with the kids etc. etc.(they have laminate flooring everywhere also!).
Future medical options if no improvement in lameness;
1) break the OCD leg and re-align elbow joint so rests on healthier & more substantial bone. Or
2) Elbow replacement.
They were referred to an orthopedic specialist for further investigation/CT scans etc. The above is that vet's prognsis.
Training/occupation Ideas needed!
As this puppy has spent the last month (since went lame) and likely the next few months without being able to fully interact with other dogs and the family (the children especially), what sort of things can the pup be occupied with or commence some form of non-intensive training while in the crate for almost 24/7!! (Already has chews / stuffed Kong).
I really cannot think of much at present that will not over-stimulate the dog or possibly cause frustration (a very food obsessed pup, but then it is a Lab!).
Plus the pup needs to be prevented from going stir crazy or worse, maybe eventually depressed from lack of stimulation, or recommences attention-seeking barking?
It is a very friendly little chap and I suspect that it will bounce back ok from this enforced incarceration, but with limited access to the outside world at this stage in his life, I can foresee a potential for problems when re-released as it were in to the 'real world'. An over the top/over-excited little man when meeting other dogs no doubt!
I really do feel for the owners, they tried to do everything by the book and really don't deserve this. They have had to tell the autistic boy to almost pretend they they don't have a dog at the moment and have had to put the crate out of the kitchen area where the family used to interact with the pup regularly. It was in the study before, but the pup started attention-seeking barking. It has been ok while with the family around. Now to have been banished again - poor thing.
On my last visit, before the 'op' - I showed them how to start to train the pup to not jump up while lead walking, and to 'find' kibble in the grass (the autistic lad was given the job of laying 'trails' as otherwise he gets too over-excited with the dog), to keep the pup calm by chewing on a bull's pizzle stuffed into the middle of a dental Kong, while the child or owner held the Kong end, to encourage the pup to settle in the presence of the kids.
I am 'pup' sitting next week while mum has to take the older boy to hopsital for an 'op'. I shall be going in 3 times in the day for the routine 'lead-walk', feeding, watering etc.
Any ideas on how this pup can be occupied and interact in a calm way while confined to his crate for the next several weeks? He is missing out on what should be a great exploring and learning period of his life at present. The parents are committed to the dog and seeing it through. They are aware that the dog will now never be one for long, arduous walks or over-exerting activities maybe. Such a shame! They are sending the vets report to the breeder also.
Just trying to be prepared for the future with this little pup, just incase it may be a situaion of 'prevention is better than cure'!
What a situation for them all
Carole
I am just going to throw this open for ideas and suggestions. I have a client who, at present I have and am doing some 'pet visits' for, but as they are aware that I also carry out 1>1 training/behaviour advice I know that they may require help with training (and potential behaviour) issues in the future. Read on and you can imagine why!
Dog: 6 month old Lab - male.
Purchased from a KC accredited breeder after many months research by the owners.
Owners: Couple with 2 young boys (1x8yrs & 1x14yrs).
I know for sure that the 8year old boy is I believe, autistic. I have not met the 14year old but have been told by a common acquaintance that he may have learning difficulties also.
The wife has given up work to stay at home. They are first time dog owners and thought a puppy/dog would be a great addition to the family.
Well;
Said puppy went lame some weeks ago. Outcome is;
Puppy has joint problems in both elbows.
Has had an arthroscopy procedure in both elbows a couple of days ago.
Left elbow had severe OCD and literally a crater of undeveloped elbow joint under the huge flap (flap now removed). Right elbow joint has displaysia.
Puppy now confined to crate at home and only allowed 2>3 x 5minute on-lead garden walks for next couple of weeks, then building up by 5mins per walk UFN. The vet has told them: No interaction with other dogs (lively pup, would want to play), no jumping up, up on furniture etc, no playing with the kids etc. etc.(they have laminate flooring everywhere also!).
Future medical options if no improvement in lameness;
1) break the OCD leg and re-align elbow joint so rests on healthier & more substantial bone. Or
2) Elbow replacement.
They were referred to an orthopedic specialist for further investigation/CT scans etc. The above is that vet's prognsis.
Training/occupation Ideas needed!
As this puppy has spent the last month (since went lame) and likely the next few months without being able to fully interact with other dogs and the family (the children especially), what sort of things can the pup be occupied with or commence some form of non-intensive training while in the crate for almost 24/7!! (Already has chews / stuffed Kong).
I really cannot think of much at present that will not over-stimulate the dog or possibly cause frustration (a very food obsessed pup, but then it is a Lab!).
Plus the pup needs to be prevented from going stir crazy or worse, maybe eventually depressed from lack of stimulation, or recommences attention-seeking barking?
It is a very friendly little chap and I suspect that it will bounce back ok from this enforced incarceration, but with limited access to the outside world at this stage in his life, I can foresee a potential for problems when re-released as it were in to the 'real world'. An over the top/over-excited little man when meeting other dogs no doubt!
I really do feel for the owners, they tried to do everything by the book and really don't deserve this. They have had to tell the autistic boy to almost pretend they they don't have a dog at the moment and have had to put the crate out of the kitchen area where the family used to interact with the pup regularly. It was in the study before, but the pup started attention-seeking barking. It has been ok while with the family around. Now to have been banished again - poor thing.
On my last visit, before the 'op' - I showed them how to start to train the pup to not jump up while lead walking, and to 'find' kibble in the grass (the autistic lad was given the job of laying 'trails' as otherwise he gets too over-excited with the dog), to keep the pup calm by chewing on a bull's pizzle stuffed into the middle of a dental Kong, while the child or owner held the Kong end, to encourage the pup to settle in the presence of the kids.
I am 'pup' sitting next week while mum has to take the older boy to hopsital for an 'op'. I shall be going in 3 times in the day for the routine 'lead-walk', feeding, watering etc.
Any ideas on how this pup can be occupied and interact in a calm way while confined to his crate for the next several weeks? He is missing out on what should be a great exploring and learning period of his life at present. The parents are committed to the dog and seeing it through. They are aware that the dog will now never be one for long, arduous walks or over-exerting activities maybe. Such a shame! They are sending the vets report to the breeder also.
Just trying to be prepared for the future with this little pup, just incase it may be a situaion of 'prevention is better than cure'!
What a situation for them all
Carole