Dutch Shepherd Forum

We are partway through week two of strict rest for my dog. Fortunately the ACL didn't tear, but we have Tramadol, an anti-inflammatory, and mega doses of glucosamine/chondroitin and fish oil for 4 weeks. Leashed at all times, in the crate whenever possible. I ended up having to put the prong collar on because of craziness when released from the crate, and dragging me with excitement to get to the back door to go outside.

We put down runners and more area rugs on all the bare floors. Velcro dog at all times. When put in the crate and left alone, whining and crying. If I go outside, screaming and howling.

The tramadol has decreased activity and awake time a lot, but this crazypants still tries to initiate play with the other dog, who brings tug toys and drops them to grab, and I get the saddest look in the world because I won't allow rough play.

Is there any kind of game to play that won't involve jumping/lunging? I usually play 'find it' when the weather's bad, but there's always so much excitement and jumping on furniture and digging under cushions and zipping around corners, so, that's out. Plus, there's the leash.

Funny you should ask. Due to NatGeoWild's show last weekend I have amused Xander with hiding a treat under a cup. He has two or three empty cups and one with a treat. So I set them up, he sniffs the cups, and if he picks the right cup he gets the snack. I'm also starting to make him sit automatically when he chooses the cup. No sit no treat. It's not much but it amuses him.

And it's not quite the same as find it because Xander gets excited and jumps when he has a big area to find it. But with the cups he is limited to a small area and just sniffs. The cups are about 2 or 3 feet apart.

karenz wrote:Funny you should ask. Due to NatGeoWild's show last weekend I have amused Xander with hiding a treat under a cup. He has two or three empty cups and one with a treat. So I set them up, he sniffs the cups, and if he picks the right cup he gets the snack. I'm also starting to make him sit automatically when he chooses the cup. No sit no treat. It's not much but it amuses him.

And it's not quite the same as find it because Xander gets excited and jumps when he has a big area to find it. But with the cups he is limited to a small area and just sniffs. The cups are about 2 or 3 feet apart.

Ohh, I like that idea. That's great, thank you!

What about teaching things like "push" (with his nose), "indoor voice," "touch" (using a front paw), etc.

For push, once it's taught, you can use it for other stuff down the line (closing doors/drawers, playing soccer, whatever). Thor also uses it to nose whatever didn't go completely inside his toy chest when he puts his stuff away, and to push clothes he puts in the dryer that might be dangling out. (I taught "push" on the flat of my hand.)

What Karen said! I do that, too. I also put something in each hand and he has to "push" the hand that has the object. (You don't have to stick to treats; just let him get the scent of the object first.)

Then you have teach Turbo, lest he'll feel like the red-headed stepchild!

Poor Mobil.

Raven wrote:
For push, once it's taught, you can use it for other stuff down the line.Poor Mobil.

Yes!!!! Xander does push too. I tell him to get blue ball and he picks it up. Then I say push the ball. And he holds blue ball in his mouth and uses it to push his other ball. He pushes the other ball all around the room. But he doesn't get jumpy and running because it is a precise action so it is a slow process and makes him concentrate. Great idea!!!!

I like the push idea, too. that sounds unbelievably cute. :3