Many owners feel frustrated at times when their dog has to be confined to a crate. If this applies to you, then you are not alone. Keeping your recovering dog safe and comfortable is quite a challenge.
Caring for yourself will help both you and your dog, as negative emotions easily pass from us to our canine friends.
Some tips to help you stay positive:
Do start a regular routine for your recovering dog. Be sure to include particular times of the day when they should learn not to expect any interaction from you. Dogs need some rest time during the day, so don’t feel guilty about this.
Remember that quality time spent with your dog does not have to be time spent walking together. If your dog has always chosen to come and sit with you, make a point of simply relaxing quietly together at some point each day during recovery. You can sit together on the sofa if this is what your dog is used to, perhaps while reading or watching TV. Be sure to lift your dog safely on and off the sofa, and restrain them safely at all times: keep the fingers of one hand tucked around one of your dog’s harness straps just in case your dog has the impulse to jump or run.
Above: Harry and his owner enjoy sitting together each day. If sofa time is important to you, then ask your dog’s physiotherapist to show you how best to lift and hold your dog.
If your dog is too large for you to lift, then sitting on the sofa together is not an option (because your recovering dog must not climb or jump on or off furniture). In that case, try putting blankets or an old quilt on the floor for you both to sit on together. Or your dog may be content to rest at your feet while you relax in your favourite chair. Keep your dog on a short lead even while they are relaxing with you. Or hold the top of their harness. Then you won’t need to worry about them dashing off even if the doorbell goes.
Physiotherapy exercises and prescribed massage can give you and your dog something good to focus on together each day. For your dog’s comfort and safety, and for best effect, these should be started under professional supervision. Ask your vet for referral to a physiotherapist who will be able to teach you what is required.
Some dogs recover faster than others. Remember that it’s not a race to get better! Don’t feel bad if your pet is not recovering day by day quite as quickly as someone else’s. It’s quite normal for recovery to be gradual, and for there to be ‘plateaus’ (a few days during which the dog doesn’t seem to improve).
Even if your dog is not allowed to walk far during recovery, do continue to make a point of getting plenty of fresh air and exercise yourself. For smaller dogs, a dog pushchair is an option. Choose a design that can be used off-road, so that you can continue your own usual walking regime without over-exerting your dog. Lift your dog out of the pushchair for the few minutes of exercise that they are allowed.
Above: Darcy Dolittle the standard dachshund is all ready to go out for a winter walk. Following IVDD surgery, Darcy’s walking had to be limited to 5 minutes at a time. The stroller gave her family the chance to enjoy a walk themselves, even if Darcy couldn’t spend much of that time on her paws in the early stages.
In mild dry weather, you may be able to relax outdoors or do the gardening with your dog in an outdoor enclosure. This gives you both a chance to enjoy some fresh air. Some recovery crates and pens can be easily reassembled outdoors for temporary use on grass. Position the pen with at least one end in the shade, and be sure to have water available for your dog at all times.
Above: Even if walks have to be short, there are other ways to spend time outdoors with your recovering dog. Bella’s pen was easy to reassemble outdoors now and again, so both dog and owner could get some fresh air.
If you are feeling isolated, consider joining an online support group for owners of recovering dogs. The dog-owning community is typically happy to welcome others into a group and to offer moral support. Practical tips may be offered on dog forums, but be aware that not all of these will be safe or relevant to your own dog, so always check with your vet before making any major changes to your dog’s regime.
Now and again, consider either getting a friend to take over dog-minding duties, or employing the services of a pet-sitter or dog-walker. Do go through exactly what is needed with them in advance though, as your dog’s safety is important. It’s best to arrange care on a one-to-one basis so that the recovering dog doesn’t end up rushing around with other dogs.
Make good use of the veterinary team: most practices have staff who are very knowledgeable and caring. Your vet or surgeon is not only there to answer any health-related questions, but can give you initial home care guidelines for your dog’s recovery, including do’s and don’ts, how much to walk your dog each day, and advice on diet. Your vet can refer you for regular physiotherapy or hydrotherapy sessions. Or if you like to be hands-on, then you could ask for referral to a rehabilitation specialist who can assess for ongoing issues such as pain, and can teach you exercises and therapeutic handling techniques for you to use at home with your dog each day. If you’re lucky, you may have kind receptionists at your clinic – say hello at each visit, and they’ll be interested to hear how you are getting on, and can be great for moral support. If you are particularly concerned about your confined dog’s behaviour, then ask your vet for advice and, if needed, consider requesting a referral to a rehabilitation or behavioural specialist sooner rather than later.
Take a look at these tips on keeping your recovering dog calm and content. Once your dog starts to feel more relaxed and happy, you will probably breathe a sigh of relief.
Above: Many thanks to Tom Eversley for this happy photo
Getting advice
You may like to explore this website for more practical tips on helping your dog through recovery. A good place to start is at the introduction page here. This website also contains guides to crate rest, room rest, IVDD, and many further links via those pages. For a summary on recovery from cruciate ligament disease, click here. You may also like to look through the Frequently Asked Questions. If you need advice specific to your own dog, then I suggest that you book a consultation appointment.
Booking an appointment
To book an appointment, use the contact form here or email me at [email protected]. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. These contact details are for appointments only. I offer home visit appointments, when appropriate, for dogs and cats living near me in North Herts, UK. Video consultations are available for both local and distant patients.
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