Lucky is performing feng shui with his new bed

[UTUSN]

So throwback reminder who Lucky is:



I'm fairly sure he's about 7 years old, which isn't that bad, and he's fully active - runs up and down the fence for the mail carrier, the City garbage trucks, and whoever haplessly parks. And he's been able to perform admirable feats of jumping onto chairs and bed double his height, with a footstool at the bed. But in the past month he hasn't done the jumping, has been doing the hesitant trying several times until coming around to be picked up for it. He's nowhere near end of life and I have often thought about plans for me to go first and who would get him and should I train them for his spoiled habits.

He's been a free soul - no crate, run o'th'house (it's not that big), has never had to do tricks for a treat. Most of the seven years he's been free to sleep on the bed, comes and goes at will. But lately he's preferred to sleep on the hard floor. He's never had a dog bed because he's used chairs and bed. So now seeing him on the hard floor I bought him a dog cushion bed thing. He's been sleeping in this corner on his side with his back to the wall, so I lined up the bed there in the corner and added one of his towels with his smell on it to break in the new dog bed smell.

So he checked it out but didn't try it out, although he did take a small interest in almost dragging it. So he hasn't tried it and I went out for a while and when I came back, it was dragged away from the wall a few inches. Is he doing feng shui? Who knows how long it might be to be used.

[jls4561]

1. Consider putting one of your T-shirts in his bed. I'm sure the bed, the chair or wherever he's been sleeping,

has your smell on it.

[UTUSN]

2. Am sure dogs are individuals, but any idea till he accepts or rejects?

[jls4561]

3. Don't stress. Either he will take to the bed or he won't.

You might also try putting his favorite treat on the bed if that treat is not too messy.

[UTUSN]

5. Thanks.

[SheltieLover]

4. If he is in pain or feeling unstable, he lkely won't want to use cushy bed

because it would be difficult to walk on.

Have you taken him to a good holistic orthopedic vet? If he has injured connective tissue, a shot of adequan can work wonders, as can veterinary chiropractor and/or acupuncturist.

Here is link to find one near you:

https://www.ahvma.org/find-a-holistic-veterinarian/#!directory/map/

Have you considered getting him a sturdy ramp to he can get on & off bed & other furniture safely & comfortably?

He sure us a handsone pupper.

I hope this helps.

[UTUSN]

7. Thanks, no real signs (that I know of) of pain or problems walking, just jumping-hesitant.

The slanted footstool was what he was using as a ramp to the bed although he was fully capable of jumping that high and much higher. The inability has only cropped up about a month ago.

Yeah, he gets lots of admiration. When they say, "SO cute!" I say, "Thank you!" (like it's for me).
Thanks for yes-the help.

[blm]

6. Awwww.

[UTUSN]

8. Awwww *you*! - thank YOU!

[Kali]

9. If you spent a lot, he will never use it.

More seriously, when is next vet check up?

[UTUSN]

10. Hah! - but why seriously? I really don't think he's in a problem, not due till October

After a bit of hesitance he musters the bravado to jump onto his usual landings, and the eating and running around are same as ever. And today I sat next to his empty bed and he got into it, first time I've seen him try it. We didn't stay long but he's gotten a clue about what it's for. Not high end, small to match his size for curling up security.