[erika]

As some of you know, Molly is recovering from her spay surgery on Thursday. The vet said no walks, even, let alone any other exercise or play. Well, this is a 6-month old pup, and I cannot convince this dog to remain calm. She's on pain meds and obviously feeling loopy, because she seems to be more excitable than usual. I have three kids (2, 4, and 6) and the only way to keep them all from getting her riled up is to confine her. She can't fit in her kennel with her collar on (and taking it off is not an option-- she's too obsessed with the incision), so I've been putting her in the laundry "room." (It's really more of a closet.) Since the laundry room is adjoining the family room, I thought I'd try using the baby gate there, but she just wants to jump over it. She's spent the last two days in there, door closed, with the exception of our brief bathroom breaks outside, and a couple of hour-long naps on the floor with me. I feel terrible, but I don't know what else I can do with her. As soon as I let her out, she's trying to wrestle with the kids or run laps around the house. Any suggestions? I'd like to know that I'm not an awful mom for failing to find another way to keep her from being too active. She has not complained much at all, which makes me think that maybe she needs the rest, but I can't help feeling bad. It's contrary to what I was anticipating. I don't know why I thought she'd be content to lounge around while she was recovering. She's so NOT willing to chill out. What did everyone else do during this period?

 

[ZMan]

You said she hasn't complained much - so take heart in that. You do have to do whatever it takes to TRY to keep her calm. We just went through Bailey's spaying about 6 weeks ago.

You're in the toughest time now and it will get better. Our first day at home was easy, she was worn out and rested. The next few days are the toughest, because as she feels better she will want to be more active before it is time.

We didn't have a collar so we would put her in her crate to keep her settled.

Good luck and I wish I had some better idea on how else to confine her. Hang in there - it gets better - and remember the long term reward ahead...you won't have to deal with the heat cycles.

 

[blueteal]

Hi Erika
I think that Vanessa has a good idea about the leash inside the
house and other than that, one of the hardest things to do is to
keep a Labradoodle nice and quiet when they want to run with the wind
or in your case your kids. Just keep doing what you are doing and
try not to feel guilty as this will pass and soon she will be able to
go back to her normal activities.
Good luck and know that most of us have been there and we
know how difficult it is to keep a Doodle down.

Sue

 

[erika]

Thanks, everyone. I've been keeping her on the leash pretty much the entire time she's not in the laundry room. I think I feel so guilty about keeping her cooped up because we're all on the other side of the door, and she knows it. And it's not the usual routine for any of us. Unfortunately, when I let her out of the laundry room, she immediately tries to break into a run or she starts jumping on everyone (which is another matter entirely). I thought for sure she'd delay her healing with all the movement. When I actually take her outside to do her business, she is dragging me across the lawn to greet the neighbors, or wanting to run off and/or chase whatever happens to be out. Anyway, I was feeling particularly guilty last night, but I guess in the long run, she won't hold it against me. Right?

 

[cmives]

dogs are great that way, they don't hold things against you!

when maggie got spayed, that lovely E-Collar stayed on her for oh about 20 minutes, before she figured out how to get it off and she chewed on it. believe me, it was on tight! she hated that thing. but since Molly is obsessed with licking, you probalby should keep it on, OR, a vet once told me when maggie had an open wound on her tummy (near her spay incision) to put a t-shirt on her that is tight enough that she'd have to work to get it out of the way to lick her wound. you might try that?

as for keeping her calm, just do your best. it is hard, we had 3 boys, too, and Maggie just loves to run and play with them. if they stay calm, chances are the dog will too.

i know it is hard to keep them kenneled up, we just had to do it for 2 days when Maggie had poop all over her fur (the groomer cleaned it off now) but dogs don't have long memories, so don't feel too guilty!

hang in there!

 

[MaxandMe]

I am being quiet this time and reading ...max didn't need a collar and was sore for 3 days or rather took it easy , so it was easy for me too.

NOW peanut is 4.5mos old and i am sure i'll go thru this when she gets spayed. so i wish i could offer up advice but cannot this time.

I just wonder though if a collar on during the daytime would help?

 

[Cinsmom]

We had a hard time with keeping Cinnamon calm, too. It's been a while, but I think we only had to keep her calm for a few days, then just watch to make sure she didn't play too hard or jump off the stairs or whatever. It should be over soon!
Cinnamon didn't have a "lamp shade" either. She didn't bother her stitches at all. I know we were lucky.

 

[Maddie]

When Lexi was spayed my vet wanted us to keep Lexi "quiet" for two weeks.

Needless to say - this was nearly impossible. We were lucky because she did not need the collar to keep her away from her stiches, so we were able to use the crate. But keeping her "QUIET" was another story.

We used the leash, and did the best we could, but she's a puppy, and there were times I'm sure she was more active than the vet would have wanted.

Still she was fine when the stiches were removed...so don't worry she doesn't have to be perfect for it to be OK.

Hang in there...

Maddie and Lexi