[nagdu] Experience talk needed for this sad puppy

[Tami Jarvis]

Valerie,

I'm so sorry your guy got hurt. Our neighbor's wonderful hunting dog got 
the same injury, so I've heard a bit about it. Apparently, there are two 
surgeries. One is kinda expensive and will fix things up for awhile. The 
other is hideously expensive, with only a few vets qualified to do it, 
but it supposedly lasts the dog's lifetime. The injury will also heal on 
its own to some extent, but there is danger of re-injury, especially in 
an energetic dog. The neighbor has chosen not to get the surgery, but 
the dog is doing well for now since the initial injury healed up. It's a 
Brittany spaniel, so smallish and compact, which may help.

Finding ways to keep his mind engaged while he's recovering is a good 
idea. There are toys designed to do that, and one can always invent 
interactive games. Training him to do other tasks, like picking stuff 
up, or even tricks can also keep him learning and mentally active. After 
a year off, you may need to take him back a few levels in training for 
review until he's ready to advance again.

I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to have to break off training 
just when it's really starting to come together. At 14 months, Loki is 
getting closer to that place, and I can't wait. He also spends most of 
his days running and leaping and blowing off all that poodle energy. 
It's important for him, but I often think I would rather wrap him in 
bubble wrap and store him in the closet where he can't hurt himself.

We'll be thinking of you and wishing your boy a good and speedy recovery.

Tami

On 06/20/2015 01:25 PM, Valerie Gibson via nagdu wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!
>
> Mine will not be so wonderful.
>
> As some know, I am training my own guide dog of the Akita Inu breed.
>
> Right now, he is one year and seven months old.
>
> Because the larger breeds do take more time to mature, he's not quite there yet, but we'd just started to work in more places so that he could know that the commands are the same no matter where we are.  He'd been making great progress, even surprising me at time.  I was pleased.
>
> But then...he tore his cruciate, and for those who don't know, i believe it's in the ballpark of the ACL.
>
> Obviously that takes training to a screeching halt, no pun intended.
>
> We're scheduled for X-rays on monday, and then a consult with the surgeon, and then surgery, and then physical therapy.
>
> I have a couple questions for you as dog owners, and then a couple questions for those who do train their own dogs or who know anything about dog training.  If yo know all of the above, you'll be even more helpful.
>
> Has anyone known a dog who's torn their ACL and has undergone surgery and PT?  If so, what was your experience?  I'd preferably love to hear about younger dogs who have done this.  I'd assume olde dogs don't have the resilience, but i could be wrong.
>
> I'd also like to know, from you trainers or experienced dog handlers, are there any training things i can do with him that requires hardly any mobility?
>
> I'm assuming that PT is going to take about a year to get him back on the job, even if it's just for an hour. Again, correct me if i'm wrong.  I just don't want to spend that time not working with him, even if it's just mental exercises.
>
> If there's any other advice or tips you can give, please feel free.
>
> I'd also like to point out that I'm sure I'll get multiple feedback on wether or not he will even be able to work. I've gotten it enough from my family, so I'd rather not be "told" my dog will or will not be able to work.  I'm going to leave that decision to God, time, my knowledge of my dog, and the PT.
>
> Any help or prayers will be appreciated during this long road ahead.
>
> Thanks so much.
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