Our dog Winnie the beloved rescue dog from a local shelter is bored!
She still is unable to take walks or engage in activities that would jeopardize her leg healing after surgery.
We are a week away from having the three staples recently added to her wound removed although her dissolvable stiches are slowly going away.
She has until February to complete post-surgery therapy, so Winnie has a sometime yet to recover.
Problem...
Her energy levels are "ramping up" and it is difficult to keep her limited in activity as instructed by her veterinarian.
Every time someone walks buy, a delivery or the postal service comes by it is an adventure to hold her back especially with her sister Chanel the Pomeranian barking nearby.
What are we going to do?
It's important to keep your dog entertained and mentally stimulated while they recover from surgery. Here are some suggestions to help keep your dog occupied during this time:
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Interactive Toys: Provide toys that dispense treats or puzzle toys that require mental effort to access treats. This engages their mind without requiring physical activity.
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Gentle Training: Depending on the type of surgery, you may be able to work on basic training commands that don't involve much movement. This can be a good mental exercise for your dog.
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Supervised Chewing: Give your dog safe and appropriate chew toys, such as Kong toys or other durable chews. Be sure to monitor your dog to ensure they don't chew too vigorously, especially if it's related to the surgery site.
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Enrichment Activities: Create homemade food puzzles by hiding treats in a muffin tin or freezing them in a block of ice. This provides mental stimulation as your dog figures out how to get to the treats.
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Cuddling and Attention: Spend quality time with your dog through gentle petting and cuddling. Dogs often find comfort in human interaction, and it can be reassuring during their recovery.
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Quiet Playtime: If your dog has a favorite soft toy, play gentle games like tug-of-war or fetch within the confines of the recommended activity restrictions.
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Background Noise: Leave on some soothing background noise, like calming music or a TV show with soft voices. This can help distract your dog from any potential boredom.
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Short Walks: Depending on your veterinarian's advice, you may be able to take your dog on short, controlled walks to provide a change of scenery without overexertion.
Always follow your veterinarian's recommendations and restrictions regarding your dog's activity level after surgery. If you have any concerns or notice any changes in your dog's behavior, contact your veterinarian for guidance.