I have a chuckit, if you can get someone to pick one up for you it's great, because it has a tosser that you could use to get the ball when she doesn't bring it all the way back to you

My vet would never recommend sedation from Benadryl for my dog due to MY bad back. He'd just say having a well-behaved dog is something you train them to be so that they are prepared to cope with your down-times and illnesses without you having to drug them to make it through. You can figure out some things to help keep them busy from your bedridden position for a bit but for the most part, my vet would tell me to do just what I do - just lie there and let your dog be if you don't feel like entertaining him - he'll figure it out and play with his toys, chewies or go lie down, watch out the window, etc., unless he spoiled and doesn't know how to act without your constant attention and feedback. And if I had a vet that did specifically suggested sedating my dog due to my poor health, I would find a different vet as he doesn't have my dog's health as his foremost consideration.

Once you feel better, actually training your little guy, playing some challenging games with him will teach him that you are his pack leader and if you say, "Crate up/go to bed" or "Relax", he will, knowing that it won't be permanent and secure inside that life will resume its fun times again some day and accept life as it is until that time, living in the eternal hope that most dogs live in. Dogs learn how to naturally cope with enforced down-times without any drugs given half the chance. All of mine have and I'm no great dog-trainer or expert.

You know, it's a shame that adults can't have a discussion without name-calling, or being disrespectful. Besides being very juvenile, it is against the rules. Contact admin!

You might need to change vets as pain medication is all most dogs need for injury. Once their pain is ameliorated, they are usually naturally calmed due to the sedation aspect of pain medication and the fact of the injury. Benadryl can agitate and have a rebound effect that excites/agitates some users after a while.

I actually agree about bad decision on the vets side. Benadryl is not bad for them and she has expressed it was a one off. But I totally agree will what jolly is saying otherwise

Like babies. Out of sight out of mind. When I've thrown the ball many times and I'm exhausted or need to do something. I just hide it. Out of sight out of mind. Chew toys cam help them too.

I suppose you could call me lucky or I have a very well behaved dog, either way...Winston "knows" if I'm not feeling well, he is very content just laying next to me...giving healing kisses. He also loves to play ball...and can run after it and bring it back for me to throw again and again. But yet, if I'm done playing, have other things to do or just not feeling well, he knows and understands that it's down time now and simply snuggles up.

My dog is not really good all the time, but I am teaching him that I am the boss, and I make the rules. He's only 4 months old, so we are just into all the training stuff, and will be training for quite some time to come. Right now I'm working on training him to a schedule that works for him as well as myself.

When I first rescued Gizmo 8 maybe 9 weeks ago, he was extremely sick, but he's well now. But the first thing I did was contact a friend I have that's near me and also has a yorkie, she's actually had many of them, and I asked her if in the future, if I needed a break if she would take him for a day, here and there. That was very important to me to make sure I had someone ready, if needed.

Over the last 4 1/2 years, I've had about 7 or 8 surgeries for things caused from my spinal cord damage, and have been in the hospital approx 15 or more times from going septic from infections also due to my paralysis. I too live in a large city, one of the biggest since I'm right outside of downtown Los Angeles. Sometimes being in a big city can be helpful as there are more resources available.

I do hope your back feels better soon, but if I were you, I would just let your dog know that sometimes you are not able to play as much as you would like. The one thing about dogs, is they do adjust to what you ask of them. Like I said, with Gizmo, we are just in the training phase as he is young, but he is learning that I am the boss, and he has to listen to my commands for him. He has no choice :-) just be really consistent with putting him down for naps in an xpen or crate, and he will eventually get it. I have put Gizmo in his xpen for naps between playtime every day since I started training, and he now knows if I put him in there during the day, it's nap time and he goes to his bed now, without me having to tell him, and takes a nap. Think about people in wheelchairs that have service dogs, they obviously are not playing all day, and do what needs to be done to meet the disabled persons needs, because they are trained that way. I eventually am going to get gizmo certified as my service dog, along with the training he requires, since I am permanently disabled and my paralysis will progress as time goes on, it already has in the last four and a half years since I became this way. You shouldn't feel bad about not playing when you can't, because is you don't take care of yourself, who will take care of your dog is something happens to you, like if you end up in the hospital. It's really important to have someone that can be there in an emergency, that was why I asked my friend to begin with, so I knew I had a backup plan if needed for a break, or if I have to go the hospital or anything. Do you have a friend you can trust? I would definitely think about the what ifs, ad make sure you have a person who can help you out occasionally.

Well, I just recently had a total knee replacement, Im going on 3 weeks post op. drugging my 7 month old hyper active pup NEVER entered my mind. I lay on the couch and throw his ball or i will find his chew toy. Ill also tell him , "no bandit, mommy don't feel good.". I feel that he senses that something is wrong with me. He crawled up on my chest tonight and just started licking me in my face just trying to offer me his love. He is so sweet! I would never drug my dog! That is NOT the solution!

I also would never drug my pups but I do know the pain she is suffering can do wierd things to ones mind. A few years back before my surgery I got to the point that if I had not had the fear of God for my soul I would not be here today. Pain can get to the point of making you just not want to go on anymore and even though they had me on very high pain meds with the nerves in my back being completely pinched flat they did very little for me. I hope and pray she will take all the wonderful advice given her and also that she will find relief for her suffering. I agree also with the out of site out of mind as we have a very hyper pup in Laddy. He can literally drive you nuts with his squeaky toys so that they have to be put up at times. And OP you asked about those of us with more than one lol that is why we or I should say my dh and I have 2 they entertain each other.

Good lord why do some people have to be cruel to get a point across. SHE GETS IT!
Sometimes I really think about abandoning this site because of some of the bashing that goes on with people who may have made a mistake but are looking for help and guidance. Then I remember about how much help I received when I started on here with some truly lovely people who really guided me through the course of having Jess come into our lives (you know who you are :). I cant tell you how much you helped me. I then realize that if I leave its one less person who can objectively look at a situation, good or bad and try and help with kindness. (that's not to say we haven't had some less than nice posters on here that got what they deserved) I just don't think this is one of them.

I hear what you're saying. Think we have to remind ourselves sometimes of all the wise people that also participate on YT. These people are able to guide a person seeking help in a way that best helps the fur-babies because those seeking help are not turned off by uncontrolled anger issues but guided with kindness. Knowledge is always best delivered by kindness. Anything less, well ....

Yeah lets guide everybody along the yellow brick road with lollipops and gumdrops! That sounds very realistic.

Can we guide with Baby Ruths and Starbucks Caramel Fraps too? I h8 lollipops and fruity candy;)(j/k)......oooooh now I'm craving a Frap BAD CAFFEINE

If its obvious not to do. Its very obvious to say. It truly doesnt take a scientist to figure out not to do something to a dogs conciousness. If they simply cannot take the truth as it is. I have never sugar coated a fact tgat was immorally wrong to my own. Im going to walk around with sunshine and daisies to someone who doesnt even care to come up with the simple solution of crating for quiet time or coming up with a fetch game alternative.? Im sure thats the least of their problems that their feelings were hurt. If they cant consider their pets well being. I dont consider their feelings. Thats the way I see it. Afterall Jefferey Dohmer was always smacked on the wrist for his chiildhood fantasies and look where that led him! I worry about people who bother animals in any negative way. Big or small.!

Its not that my intent was to hurt someones feelings or come off harsh. I think its selfish to give your pet something based off YOUR MOOD to alter its activities. I think we are here to advocate & educate. I simply did just that!