Cant go for walks

[rott&pitincali]

Hi everyone,

Quick question....I just recently broke my ankle....so as you know the walks have ceased for a while. What would you recommend as a means of excercise for my babies right now. Is it ok to just sit out back and through a ball for them for a while. It isn't like it will be forever, just a little while while I recoup.

Suggestions would be welcome. Thank you.

[shybird]

I am sorry you broke your ankle. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Yes, throwing the ball would be good as long as they will bring it back. I have two that will bring it back but the third won't. Is there anyone that could help out and walk them now and then? You dont want them to forget their training while you are layed up. Maybe even hire a dog walker for a short time. But if worse comes to worse, you'll just have to do a lot of walking when you are able to make up for their vacation.. Don't try to get back on the ankle to soon and wreck it all over again.

[spidey]

Ouch, poor you! I'd say that throwing a ball is fine for a while (do you have any friends who could come and give them a long walk once or twice a week?). And how about using this as an opportunity to teach them new skills like fetching your crutches for you?

[roadweed]

You might also try taking a flashlight out after dark and see if they will chase the beam of light back and forth. I Had one dog that would chase light until she was foaming at the mouth. Hope you heal quickly!

[Rottlva]

Originally posted by roadweed
You might also try taking a flashlight out after dark and see if they will chase the beam of light back and forth.

Or try a laser pointer! How about hiding some small treats outside or around the house and letting the dogs find them?

Heal up soon :)

[Judy Chrusch]

So sorry to hear about your ankle and I know only too well about an injury like that and not knowing what to do with your dog or in your case dogs . I fractured my knee then a couple months tore my hamstring, this was a year ago when Czar required more from me but he was an angel through it all, but Oh did that hamstring tear hurt, ouch!!! Anyway, you do what you can, they'll be fine and if you have someone that can help you out with playtime or a walk that's good too but throw the ball, play hide an seek, tell them to go fetch certain toys and if they don't know how to do that it's another trick you can teach them while you are recooperating and it will be lots of fun. This is JMO but I'm not a big fan of lazers or flashlights, I think it can really frustrate a dog and make them nervous, it may be o.k for a couple minutes as a fun thing but not for any length of time;). I know many people do it but I for one think it's a nerve racking game and you certainly don't need them more hyper when you can't do the walks they're use too. I just think there's other things. I hope you're back and running around soon and be careful not to hurt it again. I'll be thinking of you :D

Judy

[rott&pitincali]

Thank you everyone. I have been playing ball with them alot. Sadie will bring it back and Peanut will do anything Sadie does (she love to chase her). The only one I have problems with is my newbee. Sam is so lazy he loves to just sit at my feet. Most of the time he is on his back waiting for a tummy rub (I think he is part cat) he sleeps this way and if you just look at him he is on his back. I dont know how to get him to play. He wont chase the ball or play tug or anything. I guess he is just one lazy being (but oh so lovable).

I agree with you Judy on the flash light thing. Peanut wont pay attention to it at all, but Sadie goes nuts. Now any light that reflects will drive her into a frenzy. So we dont play to much with flash lights. Plus we like to go camping and of course we take the (kids) with us. Sadie going after that flashlight there would not be good.

Anyhow, again thank you all. At least now I dont feel so bad that I wont be walking them for a few more weeks.

[Grendl]

My male is a real couch potato, but my female is always looking for something to do. We just discovered a new "toy". My husband had dragged out an 8 ft length of black plastic corrugated pipe, 6" in diameter, that we had leftover from landscaping the yard. As he dragged it along, it made a low, humming vibration, and the tail-end wiggled back and forth. Well, she was on that pipe in a hearbeat, and played with it until she was huffing and puffing. Now I let her have some time with it after we finish our lessons. It is her new favorite toy. She just cannot "tame" it! All I have to do is stand there and watch. She mostly pushes and drags it around, or straddles it and then loses her balance. She has done some gnawing on the ends, but nothing we cannot trim off when we need to use this piece of pipe. It is quite entertaining watching her, and gives her a good work-out. Maybe you have something like this that would occupy your dog(s) while you convalesce.