how do we get through 10 days on the lead?!?!?

[shoutymcshoutsmum]

My pointer had his 6 month check today. I asked the vet about getting him neutered as this has always been our plan. She gave us sound advice and then hit me with the bomb shell - no running around for 10 days, but he can go out for walks on the lead!!!!! How is this going to work ever?!?!?! My lovely puppy is pretty calm for a GSP but when we go out on the Common, he just flies. I know it is only 10 days but each day will be like a week with 3 little kids and an under-exercised puppy. Any advice?

[yesbutnobut]

shouty I think our pups are very similar in age and I've literally just been to the vet for the same reason! I have a bitch and the vet we use only recommends castrating dogs for behavioural reasons; but as you say you've already decided to castrate your pup so that's irrelevant. My pup will cope fine with on lead walks I think (a cavalier) as well as some playing in the garden after the first 2 or 3 days but I can imagine how you're feeling about your pointer. I'm planning to do some extra training so as to mentally tire my pup during those few days. Other than that I've no advice I'm afraid - but good luck I'm sure it will go quickly

[shoutymcshoutsmum]

Yestbutnobut, do you know why your vet only recommends castrating dogs for behavioural reasons? I hadn't really considered the alternative to be honest - just didn't want him to impregnate any lady dogs nor did I want to have a pet who humps people/other animals and thought castration could help.

[Takver]

Its a long time since the mutt was neutered (he's now 12!), but IIRC he was really quite groggy for several days & happy to take things gently. Certainly I don't remember it being a big problem the thing of no running around, and as a podenco/husky X who had pretty free range over several acres he was very used to as much exercise as he wanted. Sure someone will be along with a younger dog & more recent experience :)

[shoutymcshoutsmum]

Thanks Takver, that's hopeful!

[SnoopyKnine]

Clicker training and more clicker training! 10 days is the perfect time to teach excellent heel work with a clicker. It really will tire the dogs out much more than just running free.

There are loads of tricks you can teach, even if he has stitches etc. 10 mins several times a day will soon have him tired out. Also make him hunt for his food of give him his food in a kong that will take him longer to eat and again tire him out.

A good marrow bone will keep him quiet and still for several hours as well.

You will be amazed at how quickly the time will go

Coming from a rescue organisation do please neuter your dogs

[shoutymcshoutsmum]

I will certainly still be neutering him so no concerns there snoopyknine. Really useful suggestions, thanks. We will use the opportunity to get his heel working better.

[yesbutnobut]

shouty the reason given by my vet practice for not routinely castrating
is that in males neutering will increase the risk of rare but serious problems (bladder and prostate tumours). I'm not in any way trying to change your mind by the way as you're clearly a responsible dog owner, in fact I was quite surprised that their literature had this advice in it. Good luck with the heel work (we could do with some brushing up of that as well

[assumpta]

Hello, we have just got a rescue dog that has not been neutered. He had his first vet check, and he has decided to let him get back on his feet before neutering as everything is a bit much at the moment. Did you all find that they were very unhappy after the op, going off their food or did they get a runny tummy from the pain killers and general upset? Never having had a male dog, do they really go wild to get at a female when she is in season? As we have no history whatsoever of our dog, it's all a bit of wait and see with everything, from how he reacts in the car to how he reacts to the Hoover and obviously people and general day to day situations.

shouty I don't envy you with three little ones and an energetic dog, however, the training tips sound an excellent idea. Everyone says it really does tire them out. You will have the best behaved dog by the end of the 10 days!

[Takver]

assumpta, mutt here was fine, just groggy & wanting to take it easy for a while. Much like a person who has had a general anaesthetic in fact.

We had him neutered because where we lived (not UK) there are so many abandoned dogs - he came from a dumped litter - and we just didn't want to contribute to that problem in any way.

[MoaningMinnieRisesAgain]

My collie was castrated at 6m and we were advised one week of on lead walks. He wasn't very impressed but it was ok. He was a bit flat the first 24 hours or so but absolutely fine otherwise.

He is much calmer now and 98% reduction in humping, whether than is partly because he is now 12 months or due to the op, I don't know.

[shoutymcshoutsmum]

Thanks moaningminnie. When I looked horrified at the 10 days, the vet relaxed it to a week to ten days. a week it is then! I will be waiting a little though - he has not yet cocked his leg or shown any interest in humping.

[mistlethrush]

shouty - if its any reassurance, we coped with 6 weeks (yes, 6 whole weeks) of a young terrier/ collie cross being on NO EXERCISE at all. Not even on the lead. Meant to be walking only round the house. Short lead in garden. Then after 6 weeks, 5 mins on short lead for walk only etc. It was a toss up between that and an operation which would have probably left her limping for the rest of her life - so we tried the non-invasive option. It wasn't easy, but it did pass.