Ideas to keep an injured dog entertained?

[tinselbobs]

Last night Roxie came in from the garden unable to weight bear on a hind foot. Was hoping for a bee sting or something, but it was no better this morning so we popped down to the vets.

I had to wait in the car park which makes things harder as you can’t ask questions as they examine, but they think she dislocated a toe.

They have advised strict rest and painkillers this week. If there’s no improvement they will do xrays but are predicting 4-6 weeks for it to heal.

Any suggestions on how to keep her entertained?! I think she’ll be quiet for the first week as it’s so painful, but she’ll go crazy once she starts to feel better!
She’s a bit out of it on painkillers at the moment bless her.

And a nice photo to make the post a bit cheerier!

 

[Roxylola]

Oh bless her, she looks fed up.
I'd go for as much brain work as possible. Split her meals up and make her work for them, those snuffle mats are good if you use kibble. Stuff kongs - bit of yogurt helps things stick, and freeze.
Bits of training if you can, even just sits and downs. The interactive toys like nina ottosson puzzles. I've got a feeder thing where you teach them to press a buzzer and it dispenses treats, that might be good

 

[tinselbobs]

Oh bless her, she looks fed up.
I'd go for as much brain work as possible. Split her meals up and make her work for them, those snuffle mats are good if you use kibble. Stuff kongs - bit of yogurt helps things stick, and freeze.
Bits of training if you can, even just sits and downs. The interactive toys like nina ottosson puzzles. I've got a feeder thing where you teach them to press a buzzer and it dispenses treats, that might be good

She's definitely feeling very sorry for herself at the moment- I don't blame her!

I'm not sure how much she'll be able to in terms of tricks to start with, but definitely something to do in the next few weeks. Aldi are selling some Snuffle Mat type things in their special buys this week will get one for her.

I haven't heard of the Nian Ottosson puzzles, I'll look them up!

 

[Unicorn]

If you're anywhere near me (Surrey/Hants border) I have a few puzzles you're welcome to borrow if it would help?

 

[tinselbobs]

If you're anywhere near me (Surrey/Hants border) I have a few puzzles you're welcome to borrow if it would help?

I’m near Guildford so not too far! I may take you up on the offer as she gets more active- thank you!

 

[GSD Woman]

One, your dog is adorable! She reminds me of my very first dog.

Teaching scent work games is good for dogs on rest. Things like hiding a treat under one box in a group, stuff like that. Also, shaping new behaviors. I did that with a dog that was on rest. I tried getting him to go into a box made of PVC pipe, touch a buzzer with his foot, target with his nose.

 

[[139672]]

A marrow bone ?

 

[BBP]

She has my sympathy, my dog has been on restricted exercise for the last 3 weeks after I broke my own toe. He’s actually been incredibly good. We do puzzles in the house, I hide things for him to find, basic obedience and trick training. Handling training (as he surprised me by being pretty anxious at last vet visit). Easier for me as I don’t have to stop him from running, but he has been very quiet and chilled out with the lack of physical exercise.

 

[tinselbobs]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I went her bought her some bones/chews today to keep her occupied and when she’s a little bit more mobile I’ll be trying out some of the games/training you’ve mentioned!

She’s still feeling quite sore - makes me so sad to see her down ?

 

[Roxylola]

Oh shes a beauty ?

 

[deb_l222]

Oh lord, I soooo love your dog

The absolute best thing I bought Willow for her confinement was a food ball. Loads of dried food in the top, small holes for it to come out. Kept her entertained for hours. Well, maybe an hour. Other than that, she had lots of nylabones to chew on.

 

[tinselbobs]

Oh lord, I soooo love your dog

The absolute best thing I bought Willow for her confinement was a food ball. Loads of dried food in the top, small holes for it to come out. Kept her entertained for hours. Well, maybe an hour. Other than that, she had lots of nylabones to chew on.

She is such a cutie, but I am a tad biased ?

A food ball sounds like a great idea - where did you get yours?

 

[cobgoblin]

It's a bit odd to 'think' she dislocated a toe. Was her toe sticking out at a strange angle?

 

[tinselbobs]

It's a bit odd to 'think' she dislocated a toe. Was her toe sticking out at a strange angle?

It wasn’t, but the foot is quite swollen! Like I say, I couldn’t go in with her while she was examined so couldn’t ask many questions. They don’t think it’s broken so maybe dislocation is the next most common thing?

A friend’s dog also did the same thing a few years ago so I guess it does happen!

 

[deb_l222]

She is such a cutie, but I am a tad biased ?

A food ball sounds like a great idea - where did you get yours?

It came from Pets at Home.

 

[tinselbobs]

I’ve bought her a little food ball which she’s enjoying, thanks for the suggestion @deb_l222!

I also got her some new tennis balls as they’re her favourite and I think she’s happy!

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