Thomas here are some ideas to help Toby be able to relax in his recovery suite. Trazadone should help. Discuss with vet if adjustment to dose is something to consider. Or if there is a different med that might be better suited to Toby?
Consider some of these ideas:
-- Put a garment you have been wearing and have not washed in his recovery suite.
-- Thundershirt® to calm anxieties similar concept as swaddling an infant to calm.
thundershirt.com/products/thundershirt-for-dogsTeaching 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. Dogs are generally much calmer when they are focused and aware of how to act to get what they want.
To achieve this, reward your dog with a high-value food treat the moment he looks at you. You can also say "yes" or use a clicker to mark the exact moment your dog looks at you. Then quickly follow up with a treat
[NOTE: for crate resting dogs, shift your body a bit] Wait for your dog to look up at you once more., Say, “Yes,” before giving treat. After about ten repetitions, say, "All done," and put the treats away. Come back later and repeat the exercise until you notice that your dog is genuinely beginning to make eye contact automatically in anticipation of hearing "Yes" once more and receiving his reward.
[NOTE: treats should be deducted from the normal daily kibble intake to prevent weight gain gain weight during crate rest. The size of the treat is irrelevant to dogs.]
-- Be aware that you could unintentionally be training for undesirable behavior.
Dogs see food, attention, eye contact, talking to them, approaching the crate, and petting as rewards.
Therefore, whenever you notice undesirable behavior, try speaking to your dog in his language to get him to calm down.
Until he calms down and settles, turn your body to the side and avoid making eye contact.
Start teaching what you do want before there is too much practice in doing the unwanted behavior.
Give your dog a reward of a loving, relaxed "good sit/lie" whenever they are sitting or lying quietly. Your dog will quickly realize that sitting quietly, etc. is rewarded.
-- Provide a lick mat in the recovery suite. Freeze with a small amount 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 post-op recovery rest period
www.amazon.com/s?k=lick+mat+for+dogs&crid=RO08LX3WJGGZ&sprefix=lick+ma%2Caps%2C302&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_7-- 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.
Many members have found a pet stroller useful 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/ -- Make the crate or ex-pen more cozy and den-like by draping a blanket over part of the top.
- Soak his kibble in broth and freeze each of his normal kibble size meals into a Kong so he has a job... working for his breakfast and dinner. As long as your dog did not have a neck disc surgery and will calmly use a kong it can provide a job during crate rest.... to eat dinner via a kibble meal frozen into a Kong. Licking and eating will now more time & effort and it is stimulating. Be sure to subtract what's in the kong from his daily kibble allottment so as not to gain weight.
What/how to stuff and training tips:
Hope to hear back that one of these things will help Toby adjust to his recovery suite.
