Dog Rest is important when your dog has sustained an injury and as every dog owner knows 'Dog Resting' is not on their pet's agenda especially a young dog - and though a crate is an alternative to some - they still need that 'scent and smell of the outside world' - their wistful look at others playing in the park when they are allowed their 'first' ten minute walk on lead!! No you are not their faviourite person -
Also you are then told by your 'wise and quite 'correct' vet that your dog must 'lose weight' or certainly 'not gain weight - so what do you do with a 'WannaBe BouncingLivewire' - Remember - No Jumping - No Chasing and no big interaction with their canine pals - and not even The Supervet to watch on TV - What a Dogs Life.
Dogs need mental stimulation as much as physical and more so if the physical is limited to block walks or around the garden and back ON LEAD -
I have been working with a beagle that has a back injury and after two weeks of bed rest is now on 10 minute walks - imagine her frustration - her main joy in life as a beagle is scenting - taking in the smells of the world! So we worked out to put plant pots in the garden filled with different scents from her usual walk put her on a fairly long lead (different from her walking lead) - letting her scent and smell - then just sitting outside with her - She actually seemed to be taking a deep breath of the smells around her and was calm. Then again - a gentle sniff around her 'new scenting pots' and then rest. On her block walk we took her away from the direction of the park - - a different corner of the street - stopping for five minutes and then turning back - again - a different corner of the street - stopping for five minutes - then back home.
NB Before we did this exercise his owner spoke to the vet to get his okay obviously we did not want to overdue it and hinder her recovery.
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