I need help with Mia

[Laurelin]

I just don't know how to handle her. She can't exercise out in the heat at all. The most we can do are short walks or yard play- but only very light and I wet her down for most of it.

She is driving me nuts. We are talking barking hours on end at nothing.

I've been trying to trick train. And we play ball indoors but stop when she gets too worked up. I give her food chews and treat balls. It's just nowhere near enough. I tossed her food around and made her look for it. I gave her a box to destroy and she did. But she needs to RUN. And she can't.

Looking at the rest of Mia's life being on low exertion/avoiding the heat is just horrific. Do I have ANY hope of toning her down? She just isn't a lay around the house type of dog. And I'm in tears tonight because she's so wound up and I can't just run her energy out like usual. What do I do? My poor girl.

This ****ing sucks.

 

[Snark]

Poor little girl, and poor you... Would short swimming sessions (perhaps with help from you via a harness to keep her afloat) be too much exertion?

 

[Fran101]

First of all, ((HUGS)) I wish I had more helpful advice

- Swimming? Like water therapy treadmills?

- Oh god I am going to get hell for this but...meds? My friend's dog takes daily Xanax or something for anxiety, and as a result, has brought her energy level and anxious pent up energy way down. Perhaps something to consider? even if just for the summer!

- Humidifier? There has to be something to help her breathe easier..

- Lavender essential oil? It calms Merlin down having it around

I wish I could do more to help, this must be so hard for you and so many hugs to you both

 

[Julee]

Swimming and an indoor treadmill came to mind. Maybe some fitpaws products?

 

[BostonBanker]

Indoor treadmill was my thought as well; my friends recently got a made-for-dogs one, and it is so nice and compact, I think it could fit pretty easily in a small-ish room if you have one that you keep air-conditioned.

I'm so sorry.

 

[sassafras]

Is she busy in the yard? Like, if you just sit outside with her, not doing any particular activity, does she get mental stimulation from just smelling/watching/listening the world go by? Or does she need to be actively engaged all the time?

Like, Pip could care less about just hanging out outside unless I'm doing something with him. But Squash and Maisy can spend hours outside just sort of soaking the world in through their senses, and it does seem to mentally wear them out some.

 

[xpaeanx]

Swimming... Especially if you can do it against a current (like a river). Always does an amazing job of tiring out any dog I've cared for and it keeps them cool.

I know a lot of people around here who use treadmills for bad weather.

Do you have a hallway? Maybe teach her indoor hallway flyball? LOL. Balls, jumps, running... All her favorite things right?

Are there any local indoor training places that are air conditioned? Maybe use those for the summer months.

 

[JacksonsMom]

Dang it, I'm so sorry. I just know how upset I'd be in the same situation, and can't imagine. I know it's gotta be incredibly tough.

I agree with everyone elses suggestions. Also, do you have a yard? I forget. Could you maybe get a pool like this that she could swim in w/ a lifejacket? Or would that be too over-exerting too? http://foxabovegroundpools.com/prod...et_pool.html?gclid=CIv_z6r4u74CFedFMgodUkYAJg

 

[Laurelin]

I'm not sure she can treadmill much to be honest. At least not enough to wear herself out. She's REALLY having trouble if she starts panting. I'm hoping our vet appointment sees some improvement. I just don't know what happens if we don't.

Yeah we have a yard and we had a doggy wading pool. She doesn't really like water though and doesn't like swimming. We don't have a deep enough pool to swim in available either.

She does nothing in the yard. She will pace the fence a bit but our yard is boring. It doesn't seem to take off any edge at all.

 

[sassafras]

Is there any chance at all that you might be able to bring them to work with you during the day (I'm assuming if you brought one, you'd have to bring them both). Maybe the busy environment or just being awake for more of the day than she would be at home would help?

 

[Laurelin]

Nope, no dogs allowed at work.

 

[teacuptiger]

I'm so sorry Fit Paws was mentioned before, would that be an option?

I also like the idea of indoor hallway flyball. If you have a medium/large basement, you could also possibly set up indoor agility. I did that last winter (before we moved to a house with an itty bitty basement) and it definately wore Roxie out!

Have you tried any food toys, or puzzles? Whenever I'm not able to physically exercise Roxie, I give her a few different food toys (I have a Nina Ottoson treat maze, Kong wobbler and satellite, and a buster food maze) to work on at once. Multiple at once definately seems to have more effect on Roxie than just one.

I really hope you find something for her!

 

[MrsBoats]

I'll be another one that will recommend the fit paws balance products. I have the monster Egg for the boys to maintain core condition and as a way to exercise them when the weather is not good. Balancing on that egg is decent workout for them...Ocean is a bundle of flexed muscle when he's on it. The guys love that egg and will push each other out of the way to try to get on it. I have to put one dog away while the other is on the egg because it's such a cool thing for them. After they are done working on the egg, they are actually tired. It's exertion...but it's a different type of exertion. Both of your dogs would really benefit from core/balance work.

http://www.fitpawsusa.com/FitPAWSreg-Eggs/products/17/

[YOUTUBE]GxnJi-ZoKJE[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Brattina88]

I was going to suggest the fitpaws balance things as well
Also, do you have stairs? A game of "freeze" on the stairs works the brain and some of this core muscles as well. Bailey's trainer suggested it to me a couple winters ago.
Does she get bored easily with food dispensing toys? I have a bob-a-lot but unless they make a smaller one (???) I think it's too big for a pap? The Buster cube, kong genius, Nina ottoson toys different kinds of food puzzles that work for us in the winter....

Puppy push-ups
Indoor flirtpole
Jumping over your legs, through your arms
arms, etc
Precision heel work - pivots, stops & stays.... almost like making your own indoor RallyO course
What about one of those online dog courses? I'm seriously thinking about doing one if these with Bailey

I'm just kind of wondering out loud here I don't want to be repetitive or give you ideas that won't work, just hoping some of my rambling will give you something. I was going to suggest lavender or other calming scents / calming foods, too.
I'm sending you tons of vibes, though, I feel bad for both of you

 

[DJEtzel]

Nosework- lots of indoor hides?

Taking her outside and throwing her meals into the grass for her to find?

Very, very sorry you're going through this with her.

 

[iriskai]

Nothing to add. Good vibes for you and Mia!

 

[Julee]

Nosework- lots of indoor hides?

Taking her outside and throwing her meals into the grass for her to find?

Very, very sorry you're going through this with her.

Or even teach her to track outside for meals?

 

[JacksonsMom]

I'm not sure she can treadmill much to be honest. At least not enough to wear herself out. She's REALLY having trouble if she starts panting. I'm hoping our vet appointment sees some improvement. I just don't know what happens if we don't.

Yeah we have a yard and we had a doggy wading pool. She doesn't really like water though and doesn't like swimming. We don't have a deep enough pool to swim in available either.

She does nothing in the yard. She will pace the fence a bit but our yard is boring. It doesn't seem to take off any edge at all.

I remembered she didn't really LIKE swimming, but I just wonder if you got one of those pools like I posted (which is plenty big enough for a pap) and a lifejacket, swimming WILL tire her out if you do it enough, and even if it's not something she enjoys, maybe SOME of her energy will get let out, ya know? My dads overweight dog hates the pool but once it's warm enough we put him in it a few times a day since he doesn't really exercise otherwise. It wears him out enough but again he's a lazy dog as it is so I dunno.

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

I wonder if there is some sort of "doggy gym" available somewhere. Basically like a dog park but inside and air conditioned. If not someone on Chaz needs to start one and get rich. I'm sure there are tons of dogs (and owners) that struggle with the heat during the summer months and need a large area to run around in.

 

[PWCorgi]

I was also going to say tracking, if she's willing. If she's tracking correctly, she won't be able to go very fast and get herself worked up?

Siri is GOGOGOGO even in the house, constantly jumping from one couch to another, jumping onto the end table to look out the window, running around the apartment, etc.
I though tethering her was going to drive her nuts. Instead, she actually relaxes more, and it also seems to have increased her self-control a great deal. Might be something worth trying?