Exercise for Injured or Ill Dogs

by Anne-Marie Mayes

What are the effects of when your dog is injured or chronically ill?

When I refer to injury it can be physical, like a broken leg or torn muscle, a laceration, or side effects of healing from the dog's spay or neuter.  It also seems that nowadays more dogs are having allergy or digestive flare ups. These issues require that the dog have restricted exercise which a lot of time includes a reduction in socialization.  I have many requests from owners that they want to withdraw from classes or postpone their dogs class due to the injury.  I know the Veterinarian may advise rest and minimal exercise in order to heal the injury.  I myself have been dealing with a young dog with elbow dysplasia.  This diagnosis took some time and testing.  The first step to recovery is rest and, depending on the outcome, increasing exercise or more testing.

I myself had a young dog with lots of energy ready to run but keeping her activity restricted was a daily job.

I found other ways to socialize and challenge her brain. We went for short walks with her friends so she could sniff and love them without wrestling .  I also continued with classes for the socialization aspect.  She looked forward to going and greeting her friends.  I set limits, which means we would only do part of the exercise or fewer repetitions. I found this to be acceptable and I was keeping up the socialization.

I find that dog parents do not understand the importance of continuing the socialization, especially during adolescence (8 mths to 2 years). It can be life-altering for your dog if they are kept away from other dogs for weeks or months.  They lose the ability to socialize (how to greet or be around other dogs) and can become reactive or fearful in new situations.

What are some ways to socialize your dog when they have limited exercise restrictions?  Take your dog for a car ride, get out and sit on a park bench. Invite some of your dog’s favourite people over or go to their house. Go wander around a pet store; you may find something new for your dog.

Remember that socialization is not only about other dogs but also smells, sounds, and experiences. You can still entertain your dog, remember in another article how we talked about a sensory garden? Why not bring it inside.

I would like people to understand that any exercise that your train or practice with your dog can be modified, believe it or not we also have some dogs participate in a level of modified agility.

There are also skills such as scent work or retrieve that do not require much physical movement but are great for the brain.

If your dog has an injury or health issues please come to class and let your instructor know so we can modify the exercises for you.