I can't tell her no. The vet said "no more doggy ball!" and she means it. But it's the only thing Abby likes to do. Once in a blue moon, she gets her soft rubber doggy ball and she throws, bats, chases and runs like a crazy dog with it. She gets so much pleasure. Vet is concerned that her knee is weak and should could end up tearing her ACL while playing doggy ball. She's played once since she's been on full-time Rimadyl. What would you do - would you let her play? I do - I know, I'm a bad, bad doggy mom.
You can never take ALL play away from any dog... if they want to, they're going to. I always love how the vet says "keep them quiet, not active" -- yeah, right!!! Easier said than done. I think you just have to find the happy medium... there's no telling a dog who wants to play that they simply can't... ever. :/
ReplyDeleteI would let her play. She has to be allowed to be happy, after all, and I think you're a good doggy mom with happy doggies!
ReplyDeleteDoes she mean no throwing the ball for her, or no playing by herself? I'd let her play by herself, but not throw it.
ReplyDeleteCan you distract her with a different toy?
Call the vet and ask what she/he recommends instead. I kept pestering wondervet about Sis's NEEEEEED for a "real" treat vs. pieces of the same dang kibble, and she finally came up with a great list of options.
ReplyDeleteCan she run in a ground-level, straight line? (Meaning no jumping, no pivots, etc.)
Mugsy had a torn ACL. I'm honestly wondering if the prevention isn't worse than the treatment. He didn't need surgery, but just had two months of really controlled rest. Seems to me, Abby's on the "recovery" plan for something she doesn't have yet...
I agree with most everyone else here, I'd let her play. She needs to have some fun & she loves it so much. And you are an awesome doggie mom!
ReplyDeleteSkippy's absolute favorite thing to do is chase his ball. There's no distracting him with anything else. I don't think I could take all his joy in playtime away either.
ReplyDeleteGuess, I'm a bad doggy mommy too.
It just occurred to me, can you buy one of those knee braces intended for humans from the drugstore and try putting it on Abby? Thor would probably try to take it off at first, so maybe it wouldn't work for her, but it seems like it might help for her to have some extra support.
ReplyDeleteShe has to play! It's abby doodle! She's like the best dog ever, and if she cant have the pleasure of doggie ball, what can she have?
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