Martha's Scooter 3/30 surgery4?wks; GRAD 4/27

    To save your back you need a stool to sit on such as a rubbermaid stool you can find at your hardware or big box store for around $10.  My set up was using the bathtub with a traction mat. But you certainly could continue to express on a pee pad on the floor with a stool for you.
     Once Scooter is off of post-op crate rest, then you could train him to be calm and learn to balance on your toilet seat as pictured in video below:

CALMERs
-- Many members have found a pet stroller to solve the whining problem because the stroller can be wheeled from room to room as you go about your activities. Pet strollers, however, should only be used when you are directly supervising. More details on strollers: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/17/pet-stroller-conservatve-treatment/

-- Put a garment you have been wearing and have not washed in the crate.

-- Spend some time wearing your post op dog dog out with mental stimulation with tricks that do not cause excessive back movements such a nose touch a paw or a food bowl. Of course the training takes place inside the crate. Tips on how to do clicker training: www.clickertraining.com/15tips

Teaching self-calming exercises can also help your dog to relax more. You can make something as simple as eye contact a very rewarding behavior that also acts as a way for your dog to “ask permission” when he wants something. When dogs have a focus and an understanding about how to behave to get what they want, they are much calmer overall. To do this, each time your dog looks at you, say, something like, “Yes!” or use a clicker to mark the second he looks at you, and then give your dog a high-value food reward. [NOTE: for crate resting dogs, shift your body a bit] .... wait for your dog to look up at you again, say, “Yes,” and reward again. Do this exercise 10 or so times and then say, “All done,” and put the treats away. Come back later and do it again until you can see that your dog is really starting to make automatic eye contact in hopes you will say, “Yes,” again and give him his reward.

[NOTE: treats should be subtracted from the normal daily kibble ration so as not to gain weight during crate rest. To dogs the size of the treat matters not. ]
wholedogtraining.com/images/stories/Are_all_dogs_trainable.pdf

-- At night, try placing the crate on a sturdy bedside table to sleep next to you.

-- During the day try the coffee table or the dinning room table so there will be a view out a window and a better perspective on what is going on in the house from a high.

-- Make the crate or ex-pen more cozy by draping a blanket over part of the top.
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/blanketTOP150.jpg **

- Most dogs need some 16-18 hours of sleep per day, people sleep 8-9 hours day. What are they doing in the crate? Laying around and sleeping! Don't give into the temptation to start a treat routine to combat non-existent boredom. What you CAN do is soak his kibble in broth and freeze each of his normal meal kibble portion into a Kong so he has a job... working for his food

-- Provide a lick mat in the recovery suite. Freeze with a small ant of soaked and mushed up kibble, a slight slather of canned dog food or other lo-cal smear, as a very tiny treat but one that will take a lot of time to consume. Use as long as your dog is not exceeding the requirement of little neck/back movement during the recovery rest period www.amazon.com/s?k=lick+mat+for+dogs&hvadid=78202818358910&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_3b30nygjvi_e

PHYSICAL THERAPY
Which of these exercises for paralyzed legs did your surgeon direct for you to do at home until it is time for underwater treadmill at a rehab clinic?

For right now, how about putting his wire crate on a sturdy coffee table. Pull the table right up close to the couch. This way you can feel him through the wires and be close together.   The crate provides the safety so he can't dart away unexpectedly. And the crate provide good support for his back. Never sloping into a person's body as would happen on couch cushions.

May we turn the tables and ask YOU for help?
      Did you know there are less than a handful who volunteer daily to help dogs and their owners? We need helping hands from other Forum members in educating.
      Education about disc disease is our number one mission!
We invite you to hop on to our educational bandwagon team. Too many dogs are put to sleep because owners lack education about IVDD treatment. STRICT crate rest and proper medication have helped many dogs recover. We depend on all members to pay it forward for the help they have received with their dog by helping us educate!

Pick what suits you....
We depend on you. Here are some ways to help..
-- Please celebrate Scooter's graduation! Add a graduation photo and a short caption to our Gallery to give other members inspiration about your IVDD Survivor! dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/2262/add-dog-dodgerslist-photo-gallery
-- "Share" our FB posts www.facebook.com/Dodgerslist
-- When in conversation at the grocery store line or wherever you may meet breeds most prone to IVDD (Dachshunds, Beagles, Poodles, Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, and Chihuahuas, Frenchies) give out our free little wallet cards.
    Hand carry our literature and print out our letter of introduction for your vet.
Today, [►ORDER BROCHURES, it's free!◀︎] for your vet and wallet 
-- Would you consider helping another trying to make decisions about surgery?
We have a directory where you can share surgical info.
    Here is where you can share your dog's info: dodgerslist.boards.net/board/13/member-reported-surgery-costs-recommendations
State:
Hospital:
Address:
Cost:
Date of surgery:
What was included in cost (MRI?, days stay, ER? PT? meds for home, sling, etc.)
Comments:

Don't be a stranger! Stop in periodically. We really do love to hear how your dog is doing.
    We'd love a short video clip to see Scooter in action at home, at PT and living & loving life in spite of IVDD!
    if you see a new member in a tough spot, give them hope. A brief paragraph about your dog can be insanely supportive and inspiring in a time of need!