Anybody else have pets?

Hi

I have 4 dogs and 4 cats and they love having me home during the day but I think they are going a little stir crazy without the normal playtime and walks they are used to getting. I'm also having a problem keeping them from laying on top of me! Anybody else have any ideas on how to get the dogs the exercise they need without hurting myself? I've been throwing the tennis ball for them but not for the length of time they are used to.

HI. I have 2 cairns. I was worried about them laying on me when I got home but neither one did - they layed on either side of me when I camped out on the couch - its like they sensed something was wrong and didn't want to hurt me. I have a fenced in yard so I would let them out during the day but for hte most part, they didn't want to leave my side after I had been in the hospital for almost a week. I'm not sure what you can really do with them until you are able to get out and walk them -and you'll need to be careful if they tug at a leash..After a few weeks I would go outside and throw the ball but I had a hard time with that - bending over to pick it up - I just made sure as soon as I was better (past few weeks) I go out more with them to throw the ball and play - to make up for the time I couldn't. Good luck in your healing and take care!!

I can relate. I have a Shepherd that is 150 lbs. He is used to going for walks every am for a bout a mile with me. I was not allowed to walk him til I was like 8 weeks post op, and then had to take short walks with him and build up. During my time at home, he never left my side, it was so bad at times that I would have to coax him outside (he has a doggie door too) to go piddle. He was afraid to leave me alone. You could tell he did not understand. My hubby would take him for a very short walk once a day but you could tell he was not a happy camper. I have always played with my dog since a puppy with a Lazer pointer, so I used that alot to play with him when I could not get around too well in the first couple weeks. (He lovers to chase the little red light around- hysterical to watch) Then as I was more able I would go out in our patio/ back yard and toss the ball, but with one of those reacher sticks, that I had for picking up things that fell out of my reach. Throwing the ball that way and using my arm I could avoid straining my stomach muscles or having to bend over to pick up the ball. Best of luck to you in your recovery.

I have a golden retriever named Hannah..after surgery she never left me.wouldnt even eat her breakfast till daddy got home and she knew that someone else was there to care for me

DH took her for walks and my daughter as well.now 5 weeks on I can take her out to the backyard (we have 2.5 acres) for a short playtime then DH walks her for 20 mins at night

I was feeling so guilty about not giving her enough exercise but it wasnt something I could control so I just let the guilt slide

Is there someone you can call to give the pooches a walk or a good run?

I have two shelties. One wouldn't come near my stomach when I laid on the couch. The other one had to casually drape himself over my mid-section, like he was being protective of it.

I loved that reacher stick thing after my surgery! Go get one at Walmart, best $20 I ever spent! My dog was right by my side too. It's very sweet how they know something is wrong. I stayed with my parents after my surgery and they have 25 acres, so Emma got plenty of exercise. I know you are worried about them, I'm the same way, but I don't think not getting enough exercise will kill them for the next few weeks. I talked my mom into getting a cavalier king charles spaniel puppy 2 days after I got out of the hospital. Brilliant, right? Needless to say I was bending over to pick her up a lot. Long story short, my incision started leaking all this clear liquid out, totally gross! They ripped out my stiches and I had to heal with an open wound! REALLY gross and painful. The moral of this story is to take care of YOURSELF right now! Your animals will be fine for a few weeks! You really need to rest and heal, so focus on yourself for a while. Good luck!

I bought a ball that you put a treat inside. My dog had to roll it around to try and get the treat out. Gave her lots of exercise since I couldn't walk her. I didn't feel so guilty. Luckily, the first two weeks, I stayed with my mom. Has a large fenced yard with a dog door. It was great!

I have two pekes and a cat. Fenced yard with a doggie door. They stayed pretty close to me while I was home recovering too. Luckily, they are small and don't need tons of exercise.

Could you get friends to walk them, or hire a dog walker? My dog goes crazy over a "Buster Cube" that has treats you work to get, and that helped. Throwing the ball may be the best until you can walk them. They know something is wrong, don't they? I love dogs and cats. This is the time for whatever no-pull collars you have, when you're allowed out. Take someone with you when you first walk them, in case its too much. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I have 2 cats and my boys have a support dog who's a black lab. 3 days before my surgery, my older son had surgery. The poor dog was so uneasy about everything. He stayed right with us the whole time we were laid up. As we started moving around more, he started relaxing and is now willing to play in the yard. My cats are sisters and I joke with DH that they're my hyster systers. They normally love to lounge on my lap, but now they won't go near my belly. The stretch out on my chest or over my shoulder day and night. I can't go to the bathroom without one or both of them popping in and checking on me. It's so funny how they just know.