fredothegreat
New member
Hi everyone! I am the owner of a 9 y/o Brittany, an understandably high energy dog, but his health doesn’t allow for our usual activities. He has a lot of fatty tumors, probably some of which are sarcomas, and they impede his front shoulder as well as his respiration. He still bombs around like a loon, but he needs a good rest after about 30 minutes — only to be frustrated and ready to go again in an hour or so. He’s also recently started foraging and rummaging around the house, basically just being a bored idiot.
I’m also working a LOT for the next two months to save for a cross-country move, so I’m trying to think of as many novel/new experiences for him as I can because our time together is going to be somewhat limited. (Working 40-50 hours a week versus 20-25.)
Our current routine is:
Meals out of a slow feeder.
20-30 minutes off leash at a local park (not a dog park)
15 minutes of off leash training (recall, heel, down-stays)
30-45 minute walk in the evening
On days off, we go hammocking or sit and play cards with friends, which he also really enjoys. Just laying around in the fresh air.
Maybe once a week, on nights that my mother is lonely for a dog she will take him for about 3-4 miles at his pace. He LOVES this, but he is ALWAYS sore and grouchy afterwards.
I think, physically, we have the best routine for his needs/capabilities— any suggestions on mental workouts? I am not a super creative or imaginative trick trainer, and he’s not very motivated by anything but being outside. Unfortunately, we don’t have a yard either.
I’m also working a LOT for the next two months to save for a cross-country move, so I’m trying to think of as many novel/new experiences for him as I can because our time together is going to be somewhat limited. (Working 40-50 hours a week versus 20-25.)
Our current routine is:
Meals out of a slow feeder.
20-30 minutes off leash at a local park (not a dog park)
15 minutes of off leash training (recall, heel, down-stays)
30-45 minute walk in the evening
On days off, we go hammocking or sit and play cards with friends, which he also really enjoys. Just laying around in the fresh air.
Maybe once a week, on nights that my mother is lonely for a dog she will take him for about 3-4 miles at his pace. He LOVES this, but he is ALWAYS sore and grouchy afterwards.
I think, physically, we have the best routine for his needs/capabilities— any suggestions on mental workouts? I am not a super creative or imaginative trick trainer, and he’s not very motivated by anything but being outside. Unfortunately, we don’t have a yard either.