Post-surgery or an injury can often mean that your dog isn't allowed to go out for walks. This can be a challenge because they don't really understand why they are not still able to go and have their fun time at the park. Here are some ideas that will help keep you all sane during this difficult time. Always be guided by your vet and other professionals such as veterinary physios regarding how much movement your dog can do.
This is always beneficial as it can involve very little physical movement but has a maximum effect on mental stimulation. There are so many ways you can incorporate it, from formal scent work where you teach your dog to find and do a fancy indication on something like a small piece of Kong or truffle oil, to much less formal activities like crumbling treats into a towel, squirting cheese into a tree stump, or just letting your dog sniff a patch of grass where there might have been some wildlife recently. When you are allowed short walks, letting your dog do lots of sniffing will help them relax much more than a 5-minute march around the block.
Training to help stimulate them is fantastic, but it can be difficult to find training games that don't involve much movement. Training things like chin rests (on your hand, lap, or a chair), sustained hand touches, freeze indication for your scent work, and working on stays are all things that don't involve much movement.
Clicker training is another superb way to get your dog thinking and relieve boredom. You can choose some tricks carefully that don't involve much movement, such as cup stacking, picking up items, and holding items. Or you can set an objective like putting down a target and working on getting your dog to touch it with their front right paw.
There are so many good toys around that you can add food to for your dog to enjoy licking or puzzling out how to get to. Kongs can be stuffed and frozen with various fillers; I like to use Greek yogurt as it freezes really well. Licky Mats can also be frozen. Another favorite of mine is the West Paw Toppl, which has a wider opening and can be less frustrating for some dogs. It's also worth noting that if your dog is likely to throw around a Kong, this might not be the best option for them. You can make DIY food toys such as toilet rolls with the ends folded, cereal boxes with food thrown in, and towels folded and knotted. If using lots of food toys, be careful not to overfeed them so they don't put on weight since they will be getting much less exercise.
Long-lasting chews can keep them busy for a while, and chewing helps to relax dogs. It can be a bit of trial and error to find something that your dog enjoys and that lasts them a while. There are plenty of online retailers and local shops that have a variety to choose from; just ensure they are age-appropriate and don't give anything with rawhide as this can be dangerous. Dogs should also never be given cooked bones, but (age-dependent) many local pet shops sell a range of raw bones that will be suitable.
Keep your furry friend happy and engaged, and remember to follow professional advice on how much movement your dog can handle. 🐶✨
If you would like to chat through your requirements just contact us via phone or email below.
