They ruined my dog!

[tunatamer4]

Two weeks ago we took the little guy for his four week follow-up after his surgery and the vet said he was right at, or even better than he should be at that point. He said we could start taking him on "1/4 block walks" and gradually increase his time outside the crate, house and yard.

Well now it seems he has "forgotten" all his training before he was hurt. Since we started on our walks outside the yard, he has started pulling on the leash like he was never on one before. I can't even take him in the yard now without him trying to pull my friggin arm off.

I can't wait for the ok from the doc. so I can start puttin him in his place once again. You'd think being in the crate as much as he was/is and only coming out for his physical therapy and to go outside would have made him even more eager to please me and my wife. HAH! guess again. It almost seems as if we have to start from scratch to get him back to where he was just a month and a half ago.

Who knows, maybe it's like having a great kid and then they turn into a PITA teen. God I need a drink!

[Agitated88]

Give him time...I'm sure all that crate time has him a bit wound up. I'm no dog trainer, but can you let him out a bit, running around on his own for a while before you leash him? Might help to get rid of some of that excess energy he's built up in that crate. Good luck!

[clt_capt]

Believe me - Crate time just builds up the energy level.

Just give him some time to heal, then wear him out and start your training again.

If my lab has to be cooped up, there is hell to pay, unless she gets some exercise.

[tunatamer4]

Give him time...I'm sure all that crate time has him a bit wound up. I'm no dog trainer, but can you let him out a bit, running around on his own for a while before you leash him? Might help to get rid of some of that excess energy he's built up in that crate. Good luck!

Unfortunately, I can't let him burn it off himself. His surgery involved cutting one of the bones just below his elbow and it still hasn't fully healed. that is the reason he needs to stay in the crate.

I know it's just going to take some more time but what pisses me off is that up until the time we started our out of the yard walks, he was just great. I'd leash him up and he'd walk right at my side if not lag behind a little. The second time we went out front and to the neighbors driveway, it was like he was NEVER leash trained and I'm really afraid he is going to rebreak the bone they cut. I'd just wait until he gets a clean bill of health but I don't want atrophy(sp) to become a problem either. Spring is just about here and I really want to get him back on the beach before all the idiots show up for the summer.

[hotshot1]

Don't be afraid to leash train him again, it should only take a few hours to get him good again. With easy access to the water , get him in it, swimming is the best rehab going. Just don't let run crazy getting to the water

[Agitated88]

Unfortunately, I can't let him burn it off himself.

I understand now...not sure if you have access to a pool but thats the universal low impact re-hab tool. Heck, you might even take him to the dock or out in a boat and lead him around the deep water. Again...I'm not a VET or expert...just thoughts! Either way, give it time...do what you can and be as patient as possible.

[tunatamer4]

Don't be afraid to leash train him again, it should only take a few hours to get him good again. With easy access to the water , get him in it, swimming is the best rehab going. Just don't let run crazy getting to the water

LOL! Thanks hotshot1, I know that's great advice but, not letting him go crazy around water is like loading up a needle with ****** and putting it front of a junky and telling them not to shoot it. IT AIN'T HAPPENING. He starts going crazy in the truck as soon as he sees the water(although he hates being bathed).

We are starting him this week in rehab in a current pool at the hospital he was operated on. They have the treadmill at the bottom of the pool, like they do for athletes and stuff.

We are hoping to get him use to the treadmill so we can use one at home to burn up some of his energy at a later time.

Until I'm sure his leg is healed, I'll try to live with the pulling and just do what I can.
When I leash trained him it involved a long lead and letting him "forge" on ahead and walking briskly in the opposite direction. This causes him to be snatched back fairly good and I just don't want to risk him being hurt again.

[Big Fish Billy]

Don't be afraid to leash train him again, it should only take a few hours to get him good again. With easy access to the water , get him in it, swimming is the best rehab going. Just don't let run crazy getting to the water

Good advice, fetching sticks or balls is great and tiring exercise, of course everything is frozen over up here......

[bigeasy]

effects of a serious illness can not be overlooked. The animal has endured pain and confinement. He is no longer the trusting friend he used to be. He feels dragged from pillar to post.

Time, though will fix things. Wounds will heal. Memories of hurt feelings and pain will gradually diminish. A calm voice and a loving pat is good medicine.

As a Chinese fortune cookie once taught me, "patience is the key to joy".

[Spartan67]

I have 2 Aussies and they pull and whenthey get tired they pull. I tried chokers youd think you were hanging them. I was introduced to a great harness called easywalk (The leash clips on the front under the neck near the legs acts like a lead and works great. If you cant find it let me know I will get one for you.Tony.