Question about dogs and coming home

I was just wondering if anyone else had to deal with big dogs when they came home from the hospital and how they handled it. I have two labs and a terrier that will be absolutely lost because their mommy will be in the hospital for two days. One of my labs thinks he is a lap dog and will actually climb up into my lap and sit on me sometimes for twenty minutes at a time. Anyhow it occured to me that they are going to want to jump on me as soon as they see me, which would be quite hurtful. Of course my husband and sons will be here to help, and I figured a big pillow across my tummy will help. Just wondered if anyone else dealt with this paticular problem and had any suggestions.

OMG this is a great question!! I have a 20 lb 'Cavashon' - mix between a king charles spaniel and a bichon, and he is a total lap dog. I was really good abou****ching him when I first got home and not letting him jump on me too much when I sat down, but one night he started playing and running around and all of a sudden he jumped up on the ottoman at my feet and literally flew into my stomach - he might be only 20 lbs but it sure felt like 200 hitting me!! It literally took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes, and it happened so fast that none of us could stop him - my mom, my husband or me - it just took me totally by surprise. I wasn't even a week post-op at that point.

When I could finally breathe again I called Barix immediately - at first they couldn't find Dr Boe or his assistant, then I told them what happened and within seconds Toni, Dr Boe's assistant was on the phone (he was in surgery). I explained what happened - that there was no bleeding or anything externally. She said to jus****ch the soreness and make sure I didn't start vomiting or anything. Dr Boe called me twice after that to make sure I was okay, and I was - I think it scared me more than anything.

And yes, after that I sat with a huge bed pillow protecting my stomach - it probably wouldn't have cushioned a total blow but it would have helped.

I guess the whole gist of this is to tell you to just be aware of them ALL the time - not just when they first see you, because I was really careful with Jude when I first got home but then got lax about it and that's when he hit me. And like I said - he's a little dude - not a big lab who thinks he's a lap dog!!

And I still have to watch him because he will take a flying leap into my lap but of course bouncing off my tummy first, and it still takes my breath away!

Kathy

I had a bassett hound when I came home so there is no jumping up on my lap. and if she tried, she would have been so slow, I could have prevented her.........LOL

But my friend always had a pillow across her lap. It was the only way the dog realized it couldn't get on there. They don't know, so if something else is there...........they can't.

I know what you mean a basset.I had two basset hounds when I had my RNY and my tummy tuck a year later.the one was a lap dog but I use a pillow so it would not hurt.The problem that I had was walking,since they were pups I would take them out.After a few days home I started very slow and painfull on very short walks until I started to fell better.
I can only say to anyone just be carefull and things will get better for you and your dogs.
bob

Thanks for your replys, I will be extra careful and keep that pillow on my lap. They do get wound up sometimes and do that running up over you thing when you are not paying attention. My lab lap baby is about 80 lbs. The other one is about the same but since we rescued him he is gaining weight the way he should and the vet wants him about 100 lbs. He is a really big boy for a lab. Anyhow I am really glad to have the helpful suggestions. Thanks Belinda

We have 4 greyhounds.    I kept pillows on my belly.

When I came home, the dogs were outside of the house (I came in through the garage)  Once I settled on the couch with my pillow barracadein place , the hounds came in.  They did not jump too much...Believe it or not, I was feeling well enough to prepare their dinner the first night I was home!!!!

Good luck.

I don't have dogs - but do have two larger cats who like to not only lay on my lap - but jump onto from the highest perch in the room available - and then "knead" my stomach with their front paws like they are making dough (as if I needed reassurance that my abdomen was doughy - uhg! LOL)  And I was also at my parents house the night I came home from surgery for a visit - and they have a very large golden retriever who loves to jump and play.

Anyway - for the cats at home I used the afore mentioned pillow and just guarded my abdomen when I saw a cat come into the room, and at my parents house I had my husband be my body guard when we went in and then sat down on the couch and just tried to block the blows as they came, lol

You'll do fine!

Pam

I have 3 dogs and so know what you mean I have an english springer spaniel and a chow and a golden and whenever they came near me I would quickly turn my back on them. The first couple of days I stayed away from them so I can relate. I also have four cats and believe it or not I think they sensed mom was ouchy and just laid next to me when I went to bed or watched tv. Someone once told me that it a dog jumps on you to play knee them in their chest but I am too nice to think to do that to my dogs. I would rather turn my back towards them than to do the chest thing.

I have a boxer and a min. poodle, both of which are like velcro, leaning into and on me when I sit on the couch or am in bed. I had them boarded from the night before surgery until 1 day after I was home on my own. A total of 6 days. I kept a pillow in front of myself at all times, and wouldn't let the poodle sit in my lap. I did walk them slowly each day for about 30 min. and they did seem to know something wasn't quite right with me, and weren't quite as rambuncious as usual.
Chris

I have two Newfoundlands.  One is 100 pounds, the other is 200 pounds.  He can put a hurting on you when he decides to play lap dog LOL.  I put them both in the kennel for a few days at least...one, because i was in Barix for a few days and two, I needed to rest.  They don't jump on me, except on the rare occasion when they are overly excited about something, so I didn't worry about that.  I also have a fenced in yard, so I didn't have to worry about them going outside.  

I would have your family tire them out with BIG LONG walks that day before you come home and then have them on leashes when you get home so they can be held back from jumping on you.

Good luck!!

HG