Jacques (the Bichon) recently had a spinal problem, and the vet wants me to rest him in a crate for 3 weeks. The only problem is that the little guy is starting to go crazy- all he wants to do is run around when I let him out (understandably), and keeping him quiet is proving difficult since he's not drugged up anymore. Is there any way I can get him out and get him stimulated without really exercising him? He's not suppose to be going very far, going up and down stairs, or running.
I think Admin has the right idea here. It's what I do with my guys when the weather is too hot to safely run them. Everyone gets behavioral training (and some need remedial behavior training). It not only keeps those canine brains active, it keeps mine active as well.
With a clicker and a bag of tiny treats you can keep a dog happily occupied for a considerable period of "down time".
Swanny
Is he allowed to work on obedience - like sit, stay, come, etc? If it were me - I would just do a good amount of "mind" tiring activities - which should in turn slow him down a bit. :)
At least it would keep him from dying of boredom!