ways to tire out without physical exhaustion

[juliejujubean]

well i took Dia to the vet today and dia may have a slightly/ mildly torn ligiment, (back left knee) well she is on some serious bed rest for a couple weeks. I want to keep her at least entertained. Any ideas to stimulate her without fetch.. like fun things i can teach her trick wise. She knows the basics as well as roll over and sit pretty and which hand is the treat in (she "shakes" the hand she wants)

Any ideas for something new? It would be greatly appreciated!

[doggiedad]

you can do reinforcement training indoors.

[juliejujubean]

Originally Posted by doggiedad

you can do reinforcement training indoors.

what do you mean by that?

[PaddyD]

Canine push-ups. Sit, down, sit, down.
Play "Find It" with treats.
Teach new tricks: Shake, Roll over, Bang, you're dead, etc.
Go to the Pet store and ask for mentally challenging toys/games.

[Whiteshepherds]

Targeting can tire them out and they don't have to run around to do it. Lots of info on the internet about it, here's one link.

Dog Obedience Training through Targeting - Whole Dog Journal Article

[juliejujubean]

Originally Posted by Whiteshepherds

Targeting can tire them out and they don't have to run around to do it. Lots of info on the internet about it, here's one link.

Dog Obedience Training through Targeting - Whole Dog Journal Article

Great link.. Thanks a lot i will have to work on that.. and maybe get her to close doors and such

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by PaddyD

Canine push-ups. Sit, down, sit, down.

Teach new tricks: Shake, Roll over, Bang, you're dead, etc.

noooooo....not with a torn ligament!! Nothing that will stress the back knee in any way!

We are just now rehabbing Jax's knee (hurt in Sept) after moving to fast with it instead of taking it easy and the things listed above are part of the rehab. You don't want her to do anything that will 'work' the knee. And you want to let her rest for longer than two weeks.

Try some nose work.

[juliejujubean]

Originally Posted by Jax08

noooooo....not with a torn ligament!! Nothing that will stress the back knee in any way!

We are just now rehabbing Jax's knee (hurt in Sept) after moving to fast with it instead of taking it easy and the things listed above are part of the rehab. You don't want her to do anything that will 'work' the knee. And you want to let her rest for longer than two weeks.

Try some nose work.

I have heard about nose work. Not quite sure if she would be interested unless there is a hidden treat involved. :P i tried doing the old fashioned hiding game (3 cups treat under 1 and move them around) she had no interest in it so im at a loss for the most part..

(and about the rest, the vet said 3 weeks as a starter... its going to kill her i know it. which is why i am trying to be somewhat proactive in doing other things.

[Holmeshx2]

any new tricks to work that mind works great! I taught Jinx to open and shut cabinets super quick and it definitely worked the mind. Start out by teaching her "touch" (I just held my hand out and when her nose sniffed it and touched by hand I marked it said good touch and rewarded her she got it super quick. Then I wouldn't reward until she made good contact (not just a quick barely touch me contact) then we moved to a drawer I rubbed the treat on the knob then when she sniffed it marked and rewarded then as time goes on made her touch it harder and move the drawer some before she got rewarded if she pushed hard enough and it made the drawer shut she got HUGE praise and a bunch of treats. Short sessions frequently and it worked the mind then I changed it to other cabinets and drawers, closet doors, dishwasher etc..

[PaddyD]

Originally Posted by Jax08

noooooo....not with a torn ligament!! Nothing that will stress the back knee in any way!

We are just now rehabbing Jax's knee (hurt in Sept) after moving to fast with it instead of taking it easy and the things listed above are part of the rehab. You don't want her to do anything that will 'work' the knee. And you want to let her rest for longer than two weeks.

Try some nose work.

How does Shake, Roll over and Bang you're dead stress the hind leg?