Can You Detrain An Adolescent During A Period Of Recovery?

[Rottigirl]

Ever since my pup was a wee ball of fluff we have been diligent about doing everything we can to keep our boy well rounded, obedient and an acceptable member of the community. He has recently gone lame and requires some rest time (2 weeks) and may be more if we have more issues (he is getting x-rayed for HD if lameness doesn't resolve itself). If it is HD and he needs a hip replacement he will need alot more time recovering.

I am somewhat concerned that all this time relegated to the house might result in some change in his ability to deal with outside stimulus. Is this something I need to be concerned about in adolescence after extensively socialising and training him as a pup (and doing so up until recently)? Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with that?

I was thinking about taking him for drives like when he was a pup and not vaccinated in the car so he could sniff see other things also walking him out the front or taking him out somewhere keeping him on leash and sitting with him and something to chew, play with to keep him quiet and then when I can heading out for light on leash walks and to OB club on leash to do quiet training rather than running around the park or wrestling his buddies like he would usually do.

We do daily obedience at home. That is just part of our routine, I like to have consistent and correct responses to my commands.

Any tips much appreciated, it is only early stages but I just want to make sure I have a plan in place that we can implement that will result in the best outcome for him and not undo all our hard work so far (if that does even happen...).

Edited to change the post title I realised "Detraining the Adolescent" might not have been indicative of the question I need answered.

Edited September 15, 2010 by Rottigirl

[W Sibs]

How old is your pup?

I think if he needs to rest for 2 weeks, he won't ruin his social skills or anything. Sounds like you've done a lot of work with him and he sounds like he is a well adjusted pup, I wouldn't be too worried about it.

When Charlie was sick... on the days where we felt like he is up to it, we took him on picnic, visit friends house, or just take him out to the cafe while we have lunch. he enjoyed it. He likes new places, meeting new people and checking our new surroundings. But, we only did that for his mental health and not so much socialising. He also likes going for drives

[RuralPug]

OOOOPS!...

Re thread name I thought this was in Off Topic and you were talking about teenage kids. Very glad you're not. I'll back out quietly now....[hangs head in shame...]

Edited September 15, 2010 by RuralPug

[Rottigirl]

CW EW Diesel is 1 year and 1 month tomorrow. He is a good boy I was reading this article though and got myself all flustered Ian Dunbar - Adolescent Changes. I'll try not to stress so much, the real stress will be if he needs a hip replacement and 3 months recovery I guess I should cross that bridge when I get there.

RuralPug you make me laugh my husband thinks I stress more about his training than you would raising children but I guess I'm just committed to making sure he is the best dog he can be. I'm not sure whether raising human teenagers is analogous with dog teenagers (haven't raised either before). But I can confirm my pup hasn't started hitting me up for pocket money to go out with his friends yet :D

Edited September 15, 2010 by Rottigirl

[aussielover]

If you're talking about socialisation then the window for opportunity is only from 8-16 weeks, so you're well past that

In terms of other training, like walking on a lead, intially he might be a bit excited the first time (but i;m pretty sure they can start short leash walks a fe weeks after surgery) but will soon settle.

You can practice recall in the house.

I would be doing lots of other training like maybe tricks (if he is allowed) while he is recovering.

I'm sure he will be fine

[Rottigirl]

You can practice recall in the house.

recall is the only thing I'm a little scared to train at home. He responds at a flat chat gallop and I feel I'll undo his responses if I train him to come to me at a plod...kind of have to keep him plodding for his hips. I guess I could do the short distance hide and seek game

The excitment of training can be a little much for him sometimes and then I feel bad because I've caused him to get so excited he might injure himself more. Hubby was doing some downs stays with him while lying on the couch throwing treats...this resulted in said puppy getting so excited he got major zoomies, grabbed toy, zoomed over the top of hubby and lept off the couch...so funny and yet so not good for his recovery so we have to give 'too bad' command, take toy away and 'crate' until he settles, his zooming would usually be done outside but alas we can't allow that either...

This week husband and I have been working on getting him to retrieve and bring us certain toys its a quieter activity that doesn't promote zooming he has to think about which toy. Scent work could be another good one when he sniffs around he seems to remain pretty quiet. So I have plenty of homework and stuff to keep us busy I guess I just was more concerned that his reactions to outside stimulus like other dogs people etc might change over time if he is relegated to the house at this age...

Edited September 15, 2010 by Rottigirl

[W Sibs]

CW EW Diesel is 1 year and 1 month tomorrow. He is a good boy I was reading this article though and got myself all flustered Ian Dunbar - Adolescent Changes. I'll try not to stress so much, the real stress will be if he needs a hip replacement and 3 months recovery I guess I should cross that bridge when I get there.

RuralPug you make me laugh my husband thinks I stress more about his training than you would raising children but I guess I'm just committed to making sure he is the best dog he can be. I'm not sure whether raising human teenagers is analogous with dog teenagers (haven't raised either before). But I can confirm my pup hasn't started hitting me up for pocket money to go out with his friends yet

I do that too...

He is a year old so his main socialisation skill has been done and set. If he gets a hip replacement, those 3 months is a great time to work on trick training When Charlie was sick and couldn't move much, but his brain was still alert.. we do a lot of trick training (mostly target training with his nose and both paws).

But going for a drive wouldn't be so bad. Good time to take him out to the park for a picnic and people watching too.

I hope your boy get better soon

[Rottigirl]

I guess I could do the short distance hide and seek game noidea.gif

We've completed this experiment hide & Seek game while getting mail = major zoomies...I wish I got a photo...he was zooming through my tiny front yard and garden for a good 15mins...clearly said leg is not so painful as to deter zoomie activity...

He is a year old so his main socialisation skill has been done and set. If he gets a hip replacement, those 3 months is a great time to work on trick training biggrin.gif When Charlie was sick and couldn't move much, but his brain was still alert.. we do a lot of trick training (mostly target training with his nose and both paws).

But going for a drive wouldn't be so bad. Good time to take him out to the park for a picnic and people watching too.

Thanks CW EW I'm glad his main socialisation is done and dusted and one less thing to worry about. I might try the target training and take the stir crazy little fella out with me in the car tomorrow Edited September 15, 2010 by Rottigirl