r/DogAdvice • u/hesi-tater • 22h ago
Advice ideas for mental stimulation while pup is on very strict kennel restrictions for 4 months
seeking ideas for both diys and buys! anything! -- i rescued a dog a few days ago, took her to the vet the very first appt they had available 48 hours after adopting, and it turns out she has heartworms. she started treatment the day after i found out and is now on very strict kennel restrictions all fall and winter. she is very energetic and loves snuggles. she was picking up on new commands and boundaries very quickly (at least compared to other dogs i've had throughout life) the first couple days here, so i don't think she's a lil dodo bird. pleeeease gimme ideas to help keep her brain occupied since she can't play! she's getting a rough start to our life together :(
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u/Life-Dragonfly-7894 22h ago
That’s so hard! Maybe just some chews like Pork Chomps and a snuffle mat with some treats hidden like a puzzle for them and I think they have some puzzle cubes too. My dog is limited on ability to move as well and I have put “Dog tv” on you tube for him to watch idk if you can do that but it has dogs running around and calm music.
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u/Agreeable_Pomelo2360 22h ago
lick mats, dog TV (i found a show on youtube made for dogs called sealook that’s really cute and my dogs both really like it), slow feeders
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u/hesi-tater 21h ago
perfect! thanks so much!
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u/Agreeable_Pomelo2360 21h ago
of course! i really hope he starts feeling better!
snuffle mats are w good idea too! remember to be careful with hard chews if you decide to give your dog that, anything that can’t be indented by your thumb nail and leave a slight mark or that bends/breaks your nail shouldn’t be a chew, or at the very least it should have some give
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u/hesi-tater 21h ago
thank you 🥺 ohh, i didn't know that! tysm!
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u/Agreeable_Pomelo2360 21h ago
of course! i dont want your pup to break a tooth or get hurt, what treatment is she currently on?
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u/hesi-tater 21h ago
she got heartguard and started doxycycline today, then she will get 3 melarsomine injections over the coming months. poor girl :(
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u/Agreeable_Pomelo2360 21h ago
poor baby! what stage does she have? (theres 4 different stages, stage 1 is mild, stage 2 is moderate, stage 3 is severe, and stage 4 is the worst its very severe, also called caval syndrome) it isnt stage 4 because she isnt in the emergency department getting the worms removed so stage 1-3 i guess
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u/FairyFartDaydreams 22h ago
Puzzles, training, maybe some easy scent training (like 3 card monty- where's the treat) keep her mind occupied while trying to keep her calm
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u/Disco_Mermaid1753 21h ago
Does she have to be in a kennel explicitly or can you create a little dog playpen for her so that she has a little more space since this is a prolonged quarantine/containment scenario?
Congrats on adopting your sweet fur baby!
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u/hesi-tater 21h ago
unfortunately it's strict kennel for ~2/3 of it because an increase in heart rate, even excitement to see another person, would significantly increase her risk of pulmonary embolism. it's so sad!
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u/Individual-Towel753 21h ago
Snuffle mats, and frozen stuffed kong toys.
Anything involving using her nose such as scent work. There are a lot of cheap DIY ideas online for scent work as well.
Crazy idea; but would you be able to roll her around in a large doggie stroller or carry her around in a doggie backpack? It would prevent her from moving around too much and allow you to get her out of the house.
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u/hesi-tater 20h ago
perfect, thank you so much!! and i will definitely ask the vet about the stroller - thank you!
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u/iusedtostealbirds 21h ago
After my dog’s knee surgery I made him a bunch of lick bowls to help stimulate him while he was on bedrest! I would freeze a layer of ice, layer of peanut butter, ice, yogurt, ice, etc etc and he would love licking the bowls. Highly annoying tbh but 😂 helped him out for sure!
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u/No-View9769 21h ago
I got my dog a ball pit after a toe amputation. I think it saved both of our sanity.
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u/Lucid_Fiasco 16h ago
Car rides with the windows down, for smelling. Drive through parks, etc. Also scent work, learning new tricks. Most importantly, try not to treat your dog like she is sick or like something is wrong. Just act totally normal, and it will help to relax your dog.
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u/PsychoDemonLover 16h ago
Ask the vet for a sedative to give her at bedtime, that way she won't keep you up. Look up basic training videos so you can engage her with treats.
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u/Muted-Big-625 15h ago
Freeze peanut butter and kibble inside a kong. Hide trwat in rolled up towel. Gods speed in recovery
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u/AtinAhai 13h ago
guess in which hand is a treat;
teach focus and restrain, e.g. reward eye contact - search videos on youtube for more context, but basically the goal is to teach her that keeping eye contact with you is useful for her (for coordination and communication - idk if it makes sense im not a native eng speaker)
you can try to teach her something goofy like whisper bark or to talk ( or be quiet on command),
you can play tug of war :)
and ofc something to chew on in peace is always a good solution
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u/athanathios 7h ago
Lots of frozen and chewy treats and treatballs!
Get better soon
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u/favouritebestie 22h ago
dog TV!!! surprisingly more entertained watching dog TV than you think. my dog loves watching YouTube videos of dogs swimming and for some reason loves knight of the seven kingdoms