Post-op and Pets

[Turtlelady53]

Has anyone out there had any issues with their pets trying to jump on them right after surgery? I'm afraid I have a very, very spoiled rotten terrier who migrates to my lap continuously. Any advice out there for keeping your dog off of your lap? I don't think 40 lbs jumping on my new knees is going to feel too great.
Sharon

 

[Josephine]

I think you could be right! Sounds like a little retraining is in order.

Perhaps you should take a look at Caesar Millan's website - he's accepting new submission at the moment but I think that could be too late for you. They take sometimes up to a year to schedule and shoot a new series.

 

[JenniferG]

Sharon, aside from puppy going on vacation (not realistic) I've heard of people using the walker as a barrier. That was my plan with my 70 lb dog, but she was pretty good andstayed down. Some times they sense things like if we are "sick". I know yours is smaller and aiming for the lap but you can still use it as a barrier or 3 second delay to change its direction. So even if you don't need the walker, it may be good to have around.

 

[Jamie]

TLady, I had the misfortune to have a good friend's small dog jump into my lap and catch the top of my scar with his toenail about a month ago. It really scared me because it bled and I was worried about infection. It all turned out fine and I probably should not have been so concerned. But now I make sure to put a sofa pillow on my lap to be sure it doesn't happen again. With a big dog, though, the walker or a cane would probably help.

 

[Josephine]

Just in passing - I have a cat that weighs about 14lbs and when I first got him (he was a stray I adopted) he would launch himself onto my chest for a cuddle! But from about 4 feet away. Can you imagine! Was bad enough when simply taken by surprise but if I was having nap at the time - excruciating!

So I decided to stop him doing that and went on the alert to watch for his little mind figuring he would quite like a cuddle and simply put out my hand to block him! Now I have it so he has to ask permission to come aboard by approaching quietly and then sitting beside me. He has even developed a special purr, in and out, for the occasion!

So now, when I have had a nap, it often happens that I find him sitting beside me on the settee, purring his special purr and waiting for me to wake up so he can get his cuddle! Lately he has even started tapping me with his paw, just to make sure I know he is there!

Who said cats can't be trained!

 

[JenniferG]

Oh Josephine he is beautiful! And a smarty pants too!

 

[Turtlelady53]

Thanks for the advice. Oh, the kitty is soooo cute, too! I am a big Cesar Millan fan and watch his show all the time. I also bought his book and used many of the methods to train my dog. Rat terries are just so darned affectionate, and love their humans to death. That's all very sweet when you need some snuggling, but I will probably try the walker or pillow barriers. He usually reacts well to finger snapping as opposed to the "SSHHHTTT" that Cesar does.

 

[Rowdy66]

This is something I worry about a lot. We have five house dogs and one of those is my lap dog. Eight pounds that thinks she is part bird. She can literally fly across the room from one piece of furniture to the next without setting foot on the floor practically. Anyway I have started retraining her weeks ago to sit beside me instead of on top of me, the problem is she sleeps between my legs and I don't notice her moving. So we decided it would be best if I got a hospital bed for a couple of months after I leave the hospital. That way I can raise the bed up to a comfortable height to get in and out of since I am having both knees done. Good luck with your 40lb lap dog, we have one of those as well but three years ago when I was still picking him up to take him outside and my back was killing me I woke up and stopped allowing him to sit on me and I definitely stopped carrying him. I guess I am not always too bright, I just didin't realize he had gotten so big. He was supposed to weigh only 5 pounds and ended up weighing 40 lbs. Rowdy

 

[Jamie]

Rowdy, getting a hospital bed sounds like a great idea. It will make it easier for you to get in and out of bed and the added bonus of not allowing your flying dog to end up in your lap is a plus. Sounds like you are right on track and very prepared for your surgery. Good job!!!

 

[JenniferG]

Now with my dog I didn't get the hospital bed because I knew she would climb in with me when I was trying to sleep. I opted for a recliner for sleeping (and sitting) because she is to big for laps and wouldn't fit in the cahir with me. Guess you have to know th personality of your beast.

 

[Turtlelady53]

Yes, definitely the training needs to begin now. The dog also burrows under the covers and sleeps between my knees. Makes it bit difficult to turn over, especially when the arthritis pain is just throbbing all night anyway. I haven't yet figured out what my sleeping arrangements will be when I first arrive home, but if I'm able to get up those stairs to the bedrooms, I've decided to sleep in the spare room for a couple of weeks. I need to keep hubby AND doggy off of those new knees! I also have recliners on all levels and seem to migrate to them when I'm sick.
Sharon

 

[JenniferG]

I had my BTKR in mid march. They said to keep stairs to a minimum. Certianly no more than once a day in the first week or 2. Even though I was doingbthem in the hospital before I came home, i didn't do them at all till week 2 with the in home physical therapist and then only once. I had my recliner on the 1st floor because that is where the ladies room is.

 

[northman22]

I have 2 Pugs, 20lbs or so, and one of them was so excited when I got home from BTKR he took a leap from the floor to the foot stool onto the hospital bed (railing down) and landed right on my knees and proceeded to dance excitedly for what seemed like hours.
He is just so excitable and athletic and determined that we had to send him to my Mom's for a couple of weeks. Once was enough for me. The other pug is 10 can't jump much, and usually obeys.

The hospital bed was wonderful for me! With BTKR I really struggled to just get out of bed for a couple of weeks. It was a godsend. I didn't have it when I got home, and I was amazed how low everything looked. My wonderful wife got the bed on my first full day home. We also put the couch on blocks so I had something I could sit in and get up from.

Good luck! Steve

 

[grannynanc]

We have a 111 pound Bouvier and I was quite concerned. He's almost 5 now so has certainly settled down, but still likes to jump around a lot when he's excited. It's funny how he seems to understand that he has to be gentle, though, when my knee is really sore and particularly immediately after my TKR. I had my RTKR revision on April 4th and he's still being remarkably gentle with a few, notable exceptions. He hasn't tried to jump in my lap yet, though. He fully believes he's a lap dog, so that's a very good thing.
Nancy.

 

[JenniferG]

Hi Nancy, welcome. Sounds like a really cool dog. Seems the bigger they are the more lap dog they think... Mine likes to sit in the bay window and watch the world like a cat. people point and laugh at the dog in the window when they walk by. I had to move all my pics and plants when she was a puppy. I tried moving any furniture from in front of it to stop her, but even at 70+ lbs she can jump straight up from 1 foot away if need be. I relinquish my rights.

 

[Nursepair]

Welcome Grannynanc, hope you are having a good recovery. Where abouts in Canada are you? I live in Ontario.

 

[orion]

One of our shelties could care less about being a lap dog..the girl..but our little bi-blue boy is a cuddler...he never once jumped on my knee...he would cuddle up and then gently put his head right on my leg and or knee...I think my PT talked to him...he never hurt me in any way...crutches are a good way to fend off a jumper...he leaps along besides everyone...but he was a good boy and a buddy during recovery.

 

[Rowdy66]

I Didn't Know What To Expect, Especially Coming Home To A New Rescue Who Was Named Rocket Because Of His Speed And Personality, His Addition Meant We Had Six Dogs, All In The House. Surprisingly All Of Them Have Been Gentle And There Have Been No Problems. I Have One Puppy Who Is My Special Girl And She Hasn't Left My Side, Always Cuddled Up Next To Me. I Did Keep A Light Pillow Across Both Knees To Protect Them From A Sudden Pounce I Wasn't Prepared For And It Did Come In Handy But The Last Couple Of Days Haven't Even Needed That. Rowdy