Simon hates the underwater treadmill
We started working with a Canine Rehab specialist a couple weeks ago who's given me exercises to do to help Simon learn how to move safely and he's responding. But he HATES, HATES the underwater treadmill! He's so stressed in it, it becomes counterproductive and the rehab guy is frustrated, says he's never seen a dog so completely opposed to it as Simon and this guy is the most renowned guy in this field in all of AZ. (I'm so lucky he is only about 7 minutes from me) Gotta love it, stubborn sheepie. I'm taking him there tomorrow with his trainer to see if we can get a feel for what is causing his panic and hopefully develop an approach that works. The rehab guy tried putting a life vest on him but that did not help at all. I know some of you have had dogs doing this kind of treatment...any ideas? My trainer is so awesome, I'm sure she will have some insight about what is causing his panic and he knows and trust her. But I'm looking for any creative ideas....I'm so very hopeful he can have a good quality of life for many more years.... |
|
|
| After Pooh Bear had his ACL repair he did some therapy at the vet's office and they tried to get him into the tank, too. But no way was he going to go in. He got part of his chest in and they tried everything to get him in. They kinda chuckled and said if he didn't want to do something, he wouldn't do it. I said "yup, you got that right!" |
Can they let you go in with him? I had Mady in one of those once, not for an injury but just to see if she could swim and I wanted it to be in a safe environment (stop laughing at me, all of you, this was back when Mady was one and I was a totally over the top neurotic first time dog owner insanely in love with her puppy!). Maybe if you went in with him and acted calm and matter of fact (I was instructed by the therapist that I was NOT allowed to be a neurotic mama in the water  ). |
| Our rehab dept. where I teach has both the underwater treadmill, and a dog pool. Maybe try a pool? Some prefer one or the other. What exactly is he doing in the treadmill? I've watched Lora do rehabs in her treadmill at work, and I've never seen it not work. Is he doing it, but just getting upset; or not doing it at all too? |
Mad was never thrilled with it and seemed to expend more energy figuring out how to cheat than actually doing the work  And she likes water. I used to be outside calling to her, bouncing a ball around, basically making a total fool of myself and she was just so not impressed. She never stressed about it, she just tried to undermine all efforts. I've never heard of a dog who didn't at least tolerate it reasonably well either. Trying to think what the source of stress would be for him - movement? water? Both? Dawn - the issue with the pool (and that was my gut instinct too) is that it doesn't work the rear anywhere near like a treadmill can. Kristine |
^^ It doesn't, but was thinking the pool would be better than nothing, if Simon flat out can't/won't do the treadmill  |
| We went over there today with our trainer, who is good friends with the rehab guy...I am so fortunate! We used the clicker and had him go in and out of the tank while it was dry, he did well. Would go in and out fine...the pred helps, he will do anything for treats! Then we added about 2 inches of water...with a little work we got him to go in and out with the little bit of water, though he was more reluctant. He hates water. We practiced shutting the door and clicking/treating his calm behavior. We worked him pretty hard for about an hour with a couple breaks. Then he was obviously fatigued...was very wobbly, so we stopped. It seems evident that using the clicker and commands he knows calms him enough to try.... Kristine...yes...he works really hard to cheat. Tries to avoid walking on the belt. He will try to stand on the non-moving parts, or just lets it carry him to the back and then rams his butt against the glass not moving at all! And Dawn...he said we could try the pool, but the treadmill would be a better option to continue to work his rear. We do lots of exercises at home....have him put his front paws on a disk and then pivot, walk under a 17" tunnel made of plywood on top of my dining room chairs, walk over obstacles set up like a ladder without knocking them over...a lot of stuff reminds me of basic agility readiness stuff I did with Bella. It's all designed to strengthen his back legs and make him more aware of his body so he can choose to move safely. I'm going to practice with him going in and out of my walk-in shower and putting a couple inches of water in it. My trainer and I will go over there one more time next week before his therapy appt next Friday. The rehab guy is not charging me for the extra time cause he really likes my trainer...like I said, I'm so fortunate! This is, of course, all new territory for me. I am so very, very fortunate to have a great team of experts...vets, rehab, trainer to help me. Kim....lol, I offered to get in with him, too! He hasn't agreed to that yet, but I've already proven I'm not a neurotic dog mom! I do not coddle him. He has to work. He has to push himself and I have to encourage that. He gets lots of praise and treats for doing what we ask but NO coddling! I'm learning a lot. Wish this wasn't a lesson I had to learn, but it is what it is and we just go from here. I've also gotten him from 98lbs to 80 lbs. I thought he looked great...can feel his ribs, has a great waist, but both his vet and rehab guy want me to get another 4 lbs off...a challenge on the pred! Please keep us in your Sheepie prayers.... |
| I will admit staight out that I've no actual experience with the underwater treadmill but first off I'd want to try to work out if it was a claustrophobia issue vs a water issue. I guess I'd try one of two approaches a. a pool, it's bigger so not likely to be claustrophobia vs b. only a few inches of water in the treadmill to see if it's a deeper water issue. Good luck I hope you can figure out something. |
| Keep up the great work Team Simon, sounds like everything is slowly moving in the right direction. |
| Has the rehab person tried using a noodle? (Those foam floaty things kids use in a pool) Lora uses one in the treadmill as a bumper for dogs who want to cheat and walk on the sides, off the treadmill. It gently keeps them in the middle. Keep up the good work! edit - I was re-reading your last description - seeing he's on pred too. Maybe some of his behavior is from that, it can really mess with some dogs in that regard too. Very nice weight loss while on pred too! |
| Frankie has been doing the treadmill for years now. He's not thrilled about it. Once he learned too cheat its hard to make him not. He can walk just one side of his body.(stinker). We use a harness and leash to help him out. Lots of treats. Now Mattie wants in the treadmill all of time. She loves it. Hope Simon learns to enjoy it. Lisa Franke and Mattie |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|