Post-Surgery Dog Walks: TPLO & ACL Recovery Guide

Your dog just had surgery. Maybe it was TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) for a torn cruciate ligament. Maybe it was FHO (femoral head ostectomy) for hip dysplasia. Maybe it was spinal surgery, a fracture repair, or joint replacement.

Whatever the procedure, you're now staring at 8-16 weeks of strict activity restriction. Your vet's instructions read like a prison sentence: no running, no jumping, no playing, no stairs, no off-leash time. Just short, controlled walks on a leash—and nothing else.

You can probably manage this for the first few weeks. But then life happens. You have to go back to work. You have a trip you can't cancel. You need someone else to handle those controlled recovery walks.

And that's when panic sets in.

One wrong move can undo a $5,000+ surgery. A dog who sprints after a squirrel, jumps on the couch, or slips on ice can re-tear a repaired ligament, shift a healing bone, or blow a suture line. The stakes couldn't be higher.

This guide covers everything you need to know about post-surgical dog walking: the protocols, the risks, and how to find a caregiver who won't accidentally destroy months of recovery.

Understanding Orthopedic Recovery

Different surgeries have different recovery timelines, but they share one principle: bone requires mechanical stability to heal. Violate that stability—through jumping, running, or even a sudden lunge—and you risk delayed healing, implant failure, or re-injury requiring additional surgery.

The Bone Healing Timeline

Week	What's Happening	Activity Level	What Happens If You Push It
0-2	Inflammation, initial healing	Strict crate rest, potty walks only (2-5 min)	Suture failure, incision opening, infection risk
2-4	Early bone formation begins	Very short leash walks (5-10 min, 2-3x daily)	Bone callus disruption—healing restarts from zero
4-8	Bone callus forming, strength increasing	Gradual increase (10-15 min walks)	Partial callus fracture requiring extended recovery
8-12	Bone remodeling, gaining strength	Longer walks (20-30 min), still controlled	Implant stress that can cause hardware failure
12-16+	Near-full healing	Gradual return to normal activity (per vet guidance)	Re-tear of the repair—back to surgery

Important: These are general guidelines. Your dog's specific timeline depends on their surgery, age, size, and healing progress. Always follow your surgeon's specific instructions.

Common Orthopedic Surgeries

Surgery	What It Treats	Typical Recovery
TPLO	Torn cranial cruciate ligament (ACL)	12-16 weeks
TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement)	Torn cranial cruciate ligament	10-14 weeks
FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy)	Hip dysplasia, hip fracture	8-12 weeks
Total Hip Replacement	Severe hip dysplasia	12-16 weeks
Fracture Repair (plates, pins)	Broken bones	8-16 weeks (varies by location)
Spinal Surgery (IVDD)	Disc herniation	6-12 weeks
Luxating Patella Repair	Dislocating kneecap	8-12 weeks

Why Controlled Activity Matters

Bone doesn't heal like skin. Skin regenerates in days; bone requires 8-16 weeks of mechanical stability. Disrupt that stability, and the bone callus (the bridge forming between broken ends) fractures or fails to form—resetting your recovery timeline to week zero.

Every time your dog:

Jumps → Puts shearing force on the surgical site, which can bend or break metal implants
Runs → Creates 2-3x body weight impact forces the healing bone cannot absorb
Plays rough → Risks direct trauma that can shift bone fragments out of alignment
Slips on a surface → Twists the joint in directions the repair wasn't designed to handle
Pulls on the leash → Loads the limb with sudden force before the bone can bear weight

...they risk delayed healing, implant failure, or re-injury that requires additional surgery costing as much as the original procedure.

Your vet isn't being paranoid. They've seen dogs at week 10 come back with re-torn ligaments because someone thought "just a little play" would be fine. It wasn't.

The Controlled Walk Protocol

"Controlled walking" doesn't mean "regular walking but shorter." It's a fundamentally different approach.

What "Controlled" Actually Means

Element	Regular Walk	Controlled Recovery Walk	Why It Matters
Leash	6-foot or retractable	Short leash (4-6 feet), always taut	Retractable leashes allow lunges before you can react—one lunge can re-tear a ligament
Pace	Dog chooses pace	Human sets slow, steady pace	Fast movement creates impact forces healing bone cannot handle
Sniffing	Allowed freely	Limited (brief sniffs, no lingering)	Extended sniffing leads to sudden lunges when they smell something exciting
Other dogs	Interaction okay	Complete avoidance (cross street, turn around)	Excitement triggers explosive movement no human can physically prevent
Surface	Any	Flat, non-slip surfaces only (concrete, dry asphalt)	Grass hides holes; gravel shifts underfoot; both cause slips that stress the repair
Direction changes	Dog can pull or explore	Smooth, gradual turns only	Sharp turns put rotational stress on joints the surgery just repaired
Duration	Until dog is tired	Strictly timed (per vet instructions)	Fatigue leads to stumbles; a tired dog loses coordination and falls

The Walk Checklist

Before every recovery walk:

Check the incision site — Any redness, swelling, discharge, or opening?
Ensure harness/collar fit — Snug but not tight, no pressure on surgical area
Survey the route — Avoid stairs, ice, mud, uneven surfaces
Confirm time limit — Set a phone timer if needed
Plan for triggers — Know where to go if you see another dog or squirrel

Walking Technique

Start slow. Let your dog find their footing before moving. Recovery dogs often limp or favor the surgical leg—that's normal early on. If you rush the start, they may stumble before they've found their balance.

Keep the leash short. Your arm should be relaxed but ready to prevent any sudden moves. The leash should have minimal slack—if your dog can build momentum before you feel tension, you've already lost control.

Set the pace. Walk slowly and steadily. If your dog tries to speed up, slow down or stop completely. You're the metronome; they follow you, not the other way around. A dog who learns they can set the pace will eventually break into a trot—and trotting creates impact forces the surgical site cannot handle.

Avoid triggers. If you see another dog approaching, turn around or step off the path immediately. Don't wait to see if your dog will be calm—by the time you know, it's too late. Excitement triggers an adrenaline response that makes dogs ignore pain signals and move explosively.

Watch the leg. Is your dog using the surgical leg? Toe-touching (light use) is expected early on. But complete non-weight-bearing after week 2-3, when they should be progressing, may indicate implant failure or re-injury—contact your vet.

Stay on flat surfaces. No grass (hides holes and is slippery when wet), no gravel (shifts underfoot and twists ankles), no hills (downhill puts eccentric load on joints the surgery just stabilized). Concrete or dry asphalt is safest.

Chicago-Specific Recovery Challenges

If your dog is recovering from orthopedic surgery in Chicago, you're dealing with environmental hazards that can undo a surgical repair in a single step—hazards that national recovery guides don't address because they weren't written for Midwest winters.

Winter Ice and Salt: The Recovery Killer

Chicago sidewalks from November through March are coated with de-icing chemicals—primarily calcium chloride and magnesium chloride—that create two distinct problems:

1. Slip hazard. A dog 6 weeks post-TPLO who slips on black ice can re-injure themselves instantly. The sudden leg splay puts shearing force on healing bone that can undo everything.

2. Paw irritation. De-icing salt causes chemical burns on paw pads. A dog who's already dealing with surgical pain doesn't need foot discomfort adding to their stress and reluctance to walk.

The Chicago Winter Recovery Protocol

Element	Standard Advice	Chicago Winter Adaptation	What Happens If You Skip This
Timing	Walk anytime	Walk after 10am when ice has melted; avoid early morning	Black ice at 7am is invisible; one slip can re-tear the ligament
Surface	Flat concrete	Only cleared, salted sidewalks; avoid unsalted areas (more ice)	Unsalted areas have smooth ice sheets; salted areas have traction
Paw protection	Optional	Required: Apply Musher's Secret 10 min before (it needs to absorb) OR use recovery booties	Salt causes chemical burns on paw pads; a dog in foot pain moves erratically
Duration	Per protocol	May need shorter walks in extreme cold; hypothermia adds stress	Cold muscles lose coordination; shivering dogs stumble
Post-walk	Quick wipe	Thorough paw rinse with warm water to remove all salt	Salt left on paws gets licked off—GI upset plus continued burning

The lake wind (Chicago's brutal lake-effect wind) makes winter recovery walks dangerous in a different way. On days with -20°F wind chill, a 10-minute recovery walk becomes a survival calculation: your dog's muscles tense against the cold, their coordination drops, and they're more likely to slip. Discuss with your vet whether skipping walks on extreme days is safer than risking a fall—most surgeons prefer one missed walk over one catastrophic slip.

Chicago Rehab Facilities

If your vet recommends canine rehabilitation (physical therapy), Chicago has excellent options:

Facility	Location	Specialties	Notes
TOPS Veterinary Rehabilitation	Glenview	Underwater treadmill, laser therapy, post-surgical PT	Well-regarded for TPLO/ACL recovery
Chicago Canine Rehabilitation	Lincoln Park area	Post-surgical specialists, land and water therapy	Convenient for North Side
Animal Rehab & Wellness Hospital	Wheaton	Comprehensive rehab, acupuncture	Good for West suburbs
Integrative Pet Care	Chicago (multiple locations)	Acupuncture, rehab, pain management	Holistic approach

Ask your surgeon for a referral if insurance coverage is involved. Many orthopedic surgeons have preferred rehab partners they work with regularly.

Building Access During Recovery

If you live in a Chicago high-rise, the walk outside isn't your only hazard—the building itself presents slip risks that can undo a surgical repair before you reach the sidewalk.

Elevator logistics: A recovering dog who gets excited by another passenger may lunge in a confined space with nowhere to redirect. Ask your doorman to hold a private elevator during your walk times—most buildings accommodate medical recovery requests.
Lobby floor surface: Marble and polished concrete lobbies are skating rinks for dogs. A single slip on a slick lobby floor puts the same shearing force on the surgical site as a slip on ice. Ask building management about temporary runners or mats—bring a yoga mat yourself if they refuse.
Stairs as backup: If the elevator breaks, your dog cannot climb stairs—period. Stair climbing puts eccentric load on joints that the surgery just stabilized. Have a carrier ready for small dogs; for large dogs (too heavy to carry), know your building's freight elevator status before you're stranded on floor 30.

The "No" List

During recovery, these activities are absolutely prohibited. This isn't overcaution—each activity creates specific mechanical forces that healing bone and repaired ligaments cannot withstand.

Activity	Why It's Dangerous	What Happens If You Allow It
Jumping on/off furniture	Landing creates 2-3x body weight impact on surgical leg	Can fracture healing bone callus or bend metal implants
Stairs (unless cleared by vet)	Eccentric loading (muscle lengthening under load) on joints	Stresses repair at angles it wasn't designed to handle
Playing with other dogs	Unpredictable movements, excitement overrides pain signals	Dogs ignore injury warnings and move explosively—one tackle ruins months of healing
Fetch	Running + sudden stops + jumping = maximum joint stress	Combines every prohibited movement into one activity
Tug-of-war	Bracing and pushing with legs creates resistance loading	Puts lateral force on joints that need to stay stable
Running/trotting	High-impact repetitive stress on every stride	Each step adds cumulative damage before bone is strong enough
Slippery floors	Loss of traction causes leg splay	Sudden leg extension puts shearing force on surgical site
Off-leash time	Cannot physically prevent any of the above	One squirrel, one doorbell, one moment of excitement—and it's over

Even "gentle" play is risky. Dogs don't understand they're injured because instinct tells them to mask pain (showing weakness attracts predators). Given the chance, they'll act like normal dogs—and destroy a surgical repair that took months of recovery and thousands of dollars.

Complications to Watch For

This is the part nobody wants to think about, but catching problems early is often the difference between a minor setback and a second surgery. Your caregiver needs to recognize warning signs and know when to contact you (or go straight to the vet).

Emergency Signs (Contact Vet Immediately)

These signs mean something has gone wrong. Waiting "to see if it gets better" risks turning a manageable complication into a surgical emergency.

Sign	Possible Cause	What Happens If You Wait
Incision opening	Suture failure, infection	Bacteria enter the surgical site; bone infection (osteomyelitis) can become untreatable
Significant swelling (not just minor puffiness)	Seroma, infection, internal bleeding	Internal bleeding can be life-threatening; infection spreads to bone
Discharge from incision (especially pus or blood)	Infection	Systemic infection requiring hospitalization; potential implant removal
Sudden non-weight-bearing (after they'd been using the leg)	Implant failure, re-injury	The repair may have failed—delay means more damage and harder revision surgery
Fever (warm ears, lethargy, shivering)	Infection	Untreated infection becomes sepsis
Dragging the leg	Nerve damage, implant failure	Nerve damage may be reversible if caught early; permanent if delayed
Severe pain (crying out, refusing to move)	Multiple possible causes	Pain indicates tissue damage—the cause matters less than getting evaluation now

Concerning Signs (Monitor Closely, Contact Vet Within 24-48 Hours)

These aren't emergencies, but they're flags that something may be developing. Document what you observe (photos help) and contact your vet within a day or two.

Sign	Possible Cause	When It Becomes Urgent
Persistent limping (not improving week to week)	Slow healing, possible complication	If limping worsens or leg use decreases rather than increases
Licking incision obsessively	Irritation, possible infection starting	If incision becomes red, warm, or develops discharge
Minor swelling	Normal early, concerning if persistent	If swelling increases rather than decreases after week 2
Decreased appetite	Pain, infection, medication side effects	If dog refuses food entirely for 24+ hours
Reluctance to walk	Pain, appropriate caution, or problem	If dog was walking and now refuses—regression is a red flag

Finding the Right Recovery Caregiver

This is not a job for your neighbor's teenager, and it's not a job for a generic "dog lover" from a gig app. Post-surgical care requires someone who understands that one mistake can cost you $5,000+ in revision surgery and your dog months of additional pain. Here's what to look for:

1. Understanding of Recovery Protocols

Your caregiver must understand why restrictions exist—not just follow a checklist blindly. Someone who understands the biomechanics will make better judgment calls when unexpected situations arise.

Questions to ask:

"Have you cared for dogs recovering from orthopedic surgery before?" (You want specific experience, not "I'm good with all dogs")
"What would you do if another dog approached us on a walk?" (Correct answer: turn around or cross the street before your dog reacts)
"How would you handle my dog trying to jump on the couch?" (Correct answer: block access before it happens, not react after)

Red flags (walk away immediately):

"Dogs heal fast—they'll tell you when they're ready." (Dogs hide pain; this person doesn't understand animal behavior)
"A little play won't hurt them." (This person will let your dog play)
"I'll just use my judgment." (Their judgment isn't informed by surgical knowledge)

Green flags:

Can explain why activity restriction matters (bone healing, implant stability)
Asks detailed questions about your dog's specific surgery and current week of recovery
Has experience with TPLO, ACL, or similar recovery and can describe what went well and what was challenging

2. Physical Ability to Control the Dog

A recovering 80-pound Lab can still lunge after a squirrel. The surgery didn't remove their prey drive—it just made that lunge dangerous. Can your caregiver hold them back without yanking the leash violently (which creates its own injury risk)?

Consider:

Caregiver's physical size relative to your dog—a 120-pound person may not be able to stop an 80-pound dog mid-lunge
Experience with reactive leash handling, not just casual walking
Calmness under pressure—panic leads to jerky movements that stress the surgical site

A nervous caregiver who panics when they see a trigger can make things worse than a calm one who smoothly redirects. The goal is preventing the lunge by redirecting early, not stopping the lunge after it starts.

3. Patience and Attention to Detail

Recovery walks are boring. They're slow, short, and deliberately uneventful. Your caregiver needs the patience to maintain that discipline day after day, week after week, without deciding that "just a little more" walking would be fine.

They also need to notice small details that indicate progress or problems: Is the incision looking pinker than yesterday? Is the dog putting more weight on the leg today, or less? Is there any behavioral change—reluctance that wasn't there before? These observations matter because catching a complication at day 1 is very different from catching it at day 5.

4. Medication Administration (If Needed)

Post-surgical dogs often take:

NSAIDs (Rimadyl, Metacam) for pain and inflammation
Gabapentin for nerve pain
Antibiotics to prevent infection
Sedatives (Trazodone, Acepromazine) to keep them calm

Your caregiver must be able to administer oral medications reliably and on schedule.

5. Schedule Flexibility

Recovery walks happen on a schedule—but the schedule is often unusual and non-negotiable. Maybe it's 10 minutes, three times a day, spaced 4 hours apart. Maybe it's 15 minutes, twice a day, with quick bathroom breaks in between.

Your caregiver needs to accommodate your recovery protocol, not fit your dog into their standard "30-minute walk" package. A caregiver who says "I can only do 30-minute visits" cannot provide the three 10-minute walks your vet prescribed—and combining them into one 30-minute walk defeats the entire purpose (shorter, more frequent walks prevent fatigue while maintaining muscle tone).

Preparing Your Caregiver

Even with an experienced recovery caregiver, preparation is essential. The more you set up in advance, the less room there is for mistakes that can't be undone.

Create a Recovery Care Document

Don't rely on verbal instructions. Write everything down so your caregiver has a reference they can check when you're not available.

Section	Include	Why It Matters
Surgery details	Type of surgery, date, which leg, surgeon contact	Caregiver can explain to vet if emergency arises
Current stage	Week X of recovery, current activity level	Week 3 restrictions are different from week 8 restrictions
Walk protocol	Duration, frequency, surfaces, pace	Removes guesswork; "short walk" means different things to different people
Medication schedule	What, when, how to give, refill info	Missed pain meds cause discomfort; missed antibiotics risk infection
Restriction list	Everything that's prohibited (be specific)	"No jumping" is vague; "no furniture access including bed" is clear
Warning signs	What to watch for, when to call vet	Your caregiver should know the difference between "normal" and "call the vet"
Emergency contacts	You, your vet, emergency vet, surgeon	In order of who to call first
Environment setup	Where the dog should stay, barriers in place, etc.	Your caregiver shouldn't have to figure out your baby gate system

Set Up the Home Environment

Your caregiver shouldn't have to manage environmental hazards you could have prevented:

Baby gates on stairs and off-limits rooms
Non-slip rugs over slippery floors
Block furniture access (use ex-pens or gates to prevent jumping attempts)
Crate or confinement area for rest periods
Cone or recovery suit accessible if licking becomes an issue

Do a Trial Walk Together

Before you leave, have your caregiver do a supervised walk with you watching—not helping. You need to see how they handle your dog without your presence influencing the situation.

They handle the leash while you observe — Watch their grip, their response time, their body language
Practice the "other dog approaching" scenario — Do they turn away early, or wait to see what happens?
Demonstrate the exact route — Point out the icy patch, the uneven sidewalk, the house with the reactive dog
Show proper pace and technique — Walk alongside them for calibration; what feels "slow" to them may still be too fast
Walk through the incision check process — Have them actually look at and describe the incision so you know they understand what they're monitoring

This is your chance to correct technique before you're not there to supervise. If anything concerns you during this trial, address it now—or find a different caregiver.

The Emotional Challenge

This part is hard to watch, and it's okay to feel guilty about it. Recovery is hard on dogs emotionally. An active dog stuck on crate rest and 10-minute walks can become:

Frustrated — pent-up energy with no outlet makes them restless, whiny, and difficult
Depressed — boredom and under-stimulation lead to withdrawal and lethargy beyond what's normal post-surgery
Anxious — routine disruption and confinement trigger stress behaviors (panting, pacing in crate, excessive licking)
Difficult — acting out due to frustration: barking, destructive behavior, refusing to settle

Your caregiver needs to understand that behavioral changes during recovery are normal—and that physical activity is NOT the solution. The instinct to "let them run it off" will undo the surgery. Mental stimulation is the answer.

Appropriate mental stimulation (tires them mentally without physical risk):

Kong stuffed with peanut butter (frozen for longer engagement)—licking releases calming endorphins
Snuffle mats for food—engages their nose, which is mentally exhausting for dogs
Lickimats with yogurt or wet food—same calming lick action as the Kong
Gentle grooming and massage—physical contact without physical activity
Calm companionship (just sitting together)—presence reduces anxiety more than you'd expect

Not appropriate (these seem gentle but create physical risk):

"Just letting them play a little to burn off energy"—play escalates; dogs don't have dimmer switches
Training that involves movement (sit and down from standing is fine; tricks involving jumping, spinning, or running are not)
Play with toys that encourage grabbing/tugging—bracing to tug loads the surgical leg

Specialized Recovery Services

Standard dog walking doesn't apply here. For intensive recovery phases, consider specialized services designed specifically for post-surgical dogs:

Canine Rehabilitation (Physical Therapy)

What it is: Physical therapy for dogs, often including underwater treadmill (provides resistance without impact), range-of-motion exercises (prevents joint stiffness), laser therapy (reduces inflammation), and massage (maintains muscle tone).

When to consider: Your vet may recommend PT starting 2-4 weeks post-surgery. The underwater treadmill is particularly valuable because it allows controlled movement while buoyancy removes weight-bearing stress from the surgical leg.

What to look for: Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) or Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT). These certifications require extensive training in post-surgical protocols—don't accept "I've worked with injured dogs before."

Cost: $75-150 per session. Insurance rarely covers it, but faster recovery and reduced complication risk often makes it worthwhile math.

In-Home Recovery Care

For the early strict-rest phase (weeks 0-4), some owners opt for dedicated in-home caregivers who stay with the dog all day to:

Prevent inappropriate activity—a dog alone will attempt furniture jumps and stair climbing
Maintain medication schedule—pain meds and antibiotics on precise timing
Supervise bathroom breaks—controlled potty trips, not unsupervised yard access
Provide companionship—reduces anxiety that leads to restlessness and escape attempts

This is more expensive than standard dog walking ($150-300/day vs $25-50/walk), but provides the close supervision the early recovery period requires. If you work full-time and can't take weeks off, the cost of in-home care is still less than the cost of revision surgery.

How Tails Supports Post-Surgical Dogs

Here's the problem with hiring a dog walker from Rover or Wag for your post-TPLO recovery: their profiles say "experienced with all dogs" and "love to walk!" That's exactly what you don't want.

Your recovering dog doesn't need enthusiasm. They don't need a brisk 30-minute walk. They need someone who understands that a controlled 10-minute walk at human-dictated pace, avoiding all triggers, with strict surface requirements, is a completely different skill than regular dog walking—and that failing to provide this specific type of care can undo a $5,000+ surgery in a single moment.

A walker who lets your dog lunge at a squirrel, or who doesn't know to avoid that one icy patch on your block, can destroy months of recovery in seconds. And once that ligament re-tears or that bone shifts, you're back to surgery, back to week zero, back to another $5,000.

When you create your pet's profile on Tails and indicate post-surgical recovery needs, we match you with providers who:

Have experience with orthopedic recovery — they've done TPLO, ACL, FHO recovery before and can describe what they learned
Understand controlled walking protocols — not just "short walks" but truly controlled, therapeutic walks where they set the pace and prevent all triggers
Can administer medications — verified oral medication skills for NSAIDs, sedatives, antibiotics (missing a dose isn't just inconvenient; it's painful for your dog)
Communicate thoroughly — you'll know exactly what happened on every walk, how the incision looked, whether leg use is improving
Have the patience — they understand recovery is boring by design and won't try to "make up for it" with extra activity
Know Chicago's winter hazards — ice patches, salt, the lake wind, marble lobby floors, elevator logistics

We don't just send you someone who "likes dogs." We send you someone who understands that your dog's $5,000 surgery depends on the next 12 weeks of careful, controlled, boring-on-purpose management—and who takes that seriously because they've seen what happens when someone doesn't.

Stop gambling on generic gig-app walkers who don't understand that post-surgical care is a specialized skill. Your dog's surgery is too important for good intentions without specific knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can my dog go back to normal walks after TPLO surgery? Most dogs return to normal activity between 12-16 weeks post-TPLO, but your surgeon will confirm based on X-rays showing bone healing. The timeline isn't arbitrary—it takes that long for bone callus to form and strengthen enough to handle normal activity. Rushing it doesn't speed healing; it risks re-injury that requires starting over (or worse, revision surgery).

What if my dog won't stop trying to run or jump during recovery? Talk to your vet about sedation options. Trazodone or Acepromazine can help keep high-energy dogs calm during the critical recovery period. This isn't drugging them unnecessarily—it's protecting a surgical repair from a dog who doesn't understand they're injured. Some dogs simply cannot self-regulate enough to heal safely without pharmaceutical support, and that's not a moral failure; it's biology.

Can a regular dog walker handle my post-surgical dog? Maybe, but probably not. Many dog walkers don't have experience with controlled recovery walking—they're trained for the opposite (active, engaging walks). The skills required—maintaining strict pace, avoiding all triggers before they escalate, recognizing early complication signs—go beyond typical dog walking. Screen carefully: ask specifically about TPLO or ACL recovery experience, and if they say "dogs are dogs," find someone else.

How do I know if my dog is in pain during recovery? Dogs hide pain because showing weakness attracts predators (instinct doesn't know your dog lives in an apartment). Watch for: decreased appetite, reluctance to move at all (beyond normal post-surgical slowness), whining or crying, panting when at rest (not from exertion), excessive licking of the surgical area, personality changes (withdrawal, irritability, aggression), or "praying position" (front legs down, rear up—indicates abdominal or spinal discomfort). When in doubt, contact your vet. Unmanaged pain slows healing.

What if my dog re-injures themselves during recovery? Contact your surgeon immediately—don't wait to "see if it gets better." They'll want to examine the dog and potentially take X-rays to assess damage. Depending on severity, you might be looking at extended recovery time (weeks added), additional surgery (same cost as the original), or alternative treatment approaches. This is exactly why controlled recovery matters—prevention costs inconvenience; re-injury costs money, time, and your dog's comfort.

Is it worth paying more for a specialized post-surgical caregiver? Yes. The math is unambiguous: TPLO surgery costs $3,500-6,000. Complication surgery costs the same or more, plus additional months of recovery. A specialized caregiver who costs $20-40 extra per visit ($200-400 extra over 10 visits) is inexpensive insurance against ruining a surgical repair that took months of recovery and thousands of dollars. The question isn't "can I afford a specialist?"—it's "can I afford to risk my dog's surgery on someone without the right experience?"