The Official "Dogs of the DMF" Thread

[somegirl]

Anyone have suggestions on how to calm down an 8 month old Boxer puppy, without having him run??

Brian may have torn a ligament in one of his knees (we're hoping not), and his current treatment is an anti-inflammatory with reduced activity.  Easier said than done.

Dog training.  Work on any behaviors that don't exacerbate the knees (maybe doggy push-ups which are alternating sits and downs, or else just working on long sit-stays or down-stays with increasing distractions around him).  Check out clicker training...dogs love it. 

Make food time more interesting...feed him with a buster cube or in a kong.

Does he like car rides?  Take him some interesting places with lots of good smells.  Just because he needs reduced activity doesn't mean that he has to necessarily stay cooped up inside the whole time.

Good luck...I know it is tough, sorry.

[Randimus Maximus]

Dog training.  Work on any behaviors that don't exacerbate the knees (maybe doggy push-ups which are alternating sits and downs, or else just working on long sit-stays or down-stays with increasing distractions around him).  Check out clicker training...dogs love it. 

Make food time more interesting...feed him with a buster cube or in a kong.

Does he like car rides?  Take him some interesting places with lots of good smells.  Just because he needs reduced activity doesn't mean that he has to necessarily stay cooped up inside the whole time.

Good luck...I know it is tough, sorry.

Did training with him yesterday...that does seem to help.  And a clicker has been part of his training since 10 weeks or so.

He just sleeps on long car rides 

[hbliam]

Ask your vet if he can have benadryl. Fairly common to give it to dogs. I've given it (1/2 tablet) to my JRT a couple times when she was recovering from an injury and wouldn't stop itching the area. knocks her right out.

[Popeye the Sailor]

A shot of Scotch followed by a bear? 

Idk if being drunk and chased by a grizzly would be any help.


It's not a squirrel, Howie.

[Howie]

Idk if being drunk and chased by a grizzly would be any help.


It's not a squirrel, Howie.

Damn spell check!  The post should have read BEER

[Triple J]

Anyone have suggestions on how to calm down an 8 month old Boxer puppy, without having him run??

Brian may have torn a ligament in one of his knees (we're hoping not), and his current treatment is an anti-inflammatory with reduced activity.  Easier said than done.

Is he allowed to swim...and does he like it? A friend's lab blew out his ACL, and swimming was the savior until he was strong enough to run again. It'll also wear them out very quickly. If he doesn't like water you might have to try to go out with him until he gets comfortable.

There may be a dog daycare that has a pool near you...kind of like a rehab center. We have one here, so I'm guessing we're not unique. There's also lakes and such depending on the weather.

[cyrus buelton]

1mg tabs of Alprazolam (xanax) should calm him down. Ask your vet about it.

[red baron]

1mg tabs of Alprazolam (xanax) should calm him down. Ask your vet about it.

Great answer.

[somegirl]

Is he allowed to swim...and does he like it? A friend's lab blew out his ACL, and swimming was the savior until he was strong enough to run again. It'll also wear them out very quickly. If he doesn't like water you might have to try to go out with him until he gets comfortable.

There may be a dog daycare that has a pool near you...kind of like a rehab center. We have one here, so I'm guessing we're not unique. There's also lakes and such depending on the weather.

Great suggestion , wish my dogs liked swimming.

[cyrus buelton]

Great answer.

How is that a bad answer?



My dog was given them after she got spayed to keep her calm for a few days.

My dogs get Xanax during the 4th of July period as they are skiddish as make the beast with two backs around fireworks.


Someone suggest benadryl.......it will have the same effect, give them a  too.

[red baron]

Never mind.

[cyrus buelton]

Never mind.

Apparently you aren't into treatment through medication.

That's fine. You don't have to be.

[hbliam]

Someone suggest benadryl.......it will have the same effect, give them a  too.

I suggested an OTC antihistamine that is used as an anti inflammatory and has a wanted side affect of drowsiness. You suggested a mind altering, addictive, schedule IV controlled substance.

Yeah give me some  . 

[Triple J]

How is that a bad answer?

Probably not a bad answer (as I see it)...just a last resort one. A low-impact physical activity would be the 1st option if one can be found. 

[Randimus Maximus]

Is he allowed to swim...and does he like it? A friend's lab blew out his ACL, and swimming was the savior until he was strong enough to run again. It'll also wear them out very quickly. If he doesn't like water you might have to try to go out with him until he gets comfortable.

There may be a dog daycare that has a pool near you...kind of like a rehab center. We have one here, so I'm guessing we're not unique. There's also lakes and such depending on the weather.

Not sure if he's allowed to swim or not.

We've had him in the water, and he loves it.  He's not gotten to the point of actually swimming, however. 

Will check into it.

And to everyone with the medication responses...last resort.