How to persuade a nurse dog she can go off for a time?

[Biker John]

Hello, first I had a couple of days with a leg problem and Folly picked up I wasn't right. I then spent nearly a week in hospital during which she stayed with my friend, (they know each other very well). Since I have been home Folly does not want to let me out of her sight. I have taken her out using a mobility scooter, but even off lead she just walks next to me looking up at me with a worried expression, she does not leave me to have a run in the way she used to. In fact the only time she has run is last Sunday, I took her to racing, (using the scooter to get to the track end), and she ran properly, though at the end didn't go to the lure but came straight to me. Now can anyone think of a way to get her to realise that she can leave me? After all she is a Whippet and thus loves to run. or is it just a case of giving her time to get used to it and just let her run at racing.

 

[JoanneF]

I hope you are feeling better. Poor Folly sounds just a little out of sorts but I'd let her stick by you until she is comfortable that you aren't going to disappear again. I think with a little time she will get back to normal - for her being close right now is just a stronger drive than the urge to run.

 

[JudyN]

How long is it since you left hospital? Are you now back into your usual routine, or is the mobility scooter new to her?

I agree with Joanne - it's probably just a matter of time, but make sure she doesn't pick up on your concern about her. Hope you're fully fit again soon, if not already.

 

[Biker John]

I left hospital last Thursday, and the scooter is new. I can now only walk a short distance and unfortunately it wont get better. She is worried about me, not sure if its cause she knows I'm not right or she is wondering if I'm going to disappear again. (most likely its a combination). But as well as not leaving me when we are out she wont leave me for long in the house, with the good weather, she goes into the garden and settles then after a couple of mins she gets up comes in the house and looks at me. As has been suggested I guess its just a case of giving her time. But it was really good to watch her stretch out in a proper run on Sunday, to me its one, (of very many), joys of living with a Whippet seeing them flow along pure grace.

 

[Biker John]

An update, Folly has continued staying close to me when I take her out until last week. She spent about ten mins examining every tiny bit of my foot and lower leg, occasionally touching me with her tongue, note not licking just touching me. After this she appears to be more relaxed about things, ok when we are out she doesn't go far away, but at least she does wander off a bit and she has the odd blast, letting me get a distance in front then flying past me. So thank goodness I can still enjoy watching her run. Oh and one funny bit, after the operation I had a number of staples covered with a dressing, at least twice a day she inspected it, sniffing along it. Until two days before the staples were due to be removed. I decided that she must have decided it had healed so didn't need checking.