I m writing this to you today and not yesterday cause i took some time to calm down and try to be objective about it.

before i start i just wanna say that i took him to the vet and it appears as though nothing happened to him physically and he s relatively ok.

ok here goes:
I usually put karly on the balcony outside (with ledge as high as up to my chest (1.60m) when we feel that i ve already crated him and want to give him some walking space if i leave for a bit.

So i did that yesterday and left; neighbors call me after an hour telling me that Karly JUMPED OFF THE BALCONY!!!!!
we re on the 1st floor so it s around a 5 METER JUMP!
apparently he was barking frantically for 10mins before and just did it. his back legs got stuck on the ledge then he was dangling before he fell on his front legs, torso and neck.
he directly got up and crossed the street but then through himself on the floor and started yelping :'(
my neighbors picked him up and took him in. he wasnt able to walk and was trembling and crying.

by the time i got back (longest 30mins of my life stuck in F*#&@G traffic!!!#@$%), he was fine. he greeted me very calmly.
took him to the vet and apparently he s fine physically. but here s where my problem is. karly is barely eating since yesterday: half of his regular portion and doesnt want to play with his toys. he walks around very slowly, isnt very responsive to my calls.
i m pretty sure it s because of the trauma caused by the experience. my question is though, how should i deal with this?

i couldnt help but being excessively affectionate and caress him and sit with him but wouldn t that reinforce his state? like when appeasing a frightened dog?

i tried handfeeding him which worked to a certain extent. is that too bad? can i do it then slowly lead him back to eating from the bowl?
or should i simply try to feed him the rest in an additional meal?

is it a question of time so he s back to normal? what can i do to help the process?

what about displasia? he just turned 6months yesterday, he s still growing and a fall like this might definitely do some damage even if not presently apparent. what can i do to reduce that risk?

he would hesitate to jump out of the trunk of my car, he s still not used to it! how the hell would he able to pull off something like that?! when i leave the house, my mom tells me he s either sitting in front of the door waiting for me, or checks it constantly. is this seperation anxiety or just attachement?
how can i help to calm him down?

awaiting your advice ... this it CRAZY NO!? it s like living on the edge and in constant adventure with mr Karly! "it s a HUGE responsibility" they told me. i couldnt imagine what they meant till now! Surprises just keep on coming!! i guess we live and learn ..

oh and btw, ever since the accident, he wont let me pet him. when i approach him he cowers. he has no problem however with my mom and gf. if i touch his back he automatically sits down to not have my hand touch him.

I'm so sorry this happened to poor Karly. All I can say is, follow the vet's instructions and THE CRATE IS YOUR FRIEND. Others will come in with better advice. Oh, I highly recommend the Tellington Touch for all kinds of physical and emotional damage. You can google it.

Keep us informed.

Just a thought...is he in pain? Pain, in addition to trauma, may alter his mood and interest in food.

I am sorry this happened. I hope Karly will be ok. Did your neighbors see him jump, or someone else?

That's terrible and I'm sorry that both of you are having to go through it. Can you put something up to cover the rest of the balcony opening, like lattice or something?

Remember that your attitude will determine a lot of how the dog responds to you. You've done the comfort thing, which I always did with my last dog when he'd have a vestibular incident, so now it's time to act like nothing happened (ie: be indifferent or slightly cold). It'll take some time but, he should come around.

Along with the pain that Aimee mentioned, it's possible he might have gotten a concussion. That would explain a lot of the sudden weirdness. I'd keep him in the crate for observation for the next few days instead of allowing much of any free or exercise time. The dog needs to chill and rediscover that he's safe. His "den" would be the best place for that.

 Quote: Mariellena Simon

Oh, I highly recommend the Tellington Touch for all kinds of physical and emotional damage. You can google it.

i just did. i think that will definitely help. (very interesting btw)

i trained him to out the ball today to get him motivated again, treated him with ground meat. he let me pet him while i was treating him. did this for 10mins. this let him accept my hand a bit more.

 Quote: aimee pochron

Just a thought...is he in pain? Pain, in addition to trauma, may alter his mood and interest in food.

i dont think he s in pain. i touched all his body to look for reactions. nothing. however i think it s more about the trauma of the jump.

neighbors saw him. a neighbor with a golden retriever picked him up and called me up.

 Quote: Scott Garrett

Can you put something up to cover the rest of the balcony opening, like lattice or something?

Remember that your attitude will determine a lot of how the dog responds to you. You've done the comfort thing, which I always did with my last dog when he'd have a vestibular incident, so now it's time to act like nothing happened (ie: be indifferent or slightly cold). It'll take some time but, he should come around.

cant close the balcony. but m gonna use the crate instead from now on. cant take the risk. as for the attitude, i toned down the excessive emo, gave him some space and alternated very excited ball playing and tug of war, got him a tiny bit better too. i guess it s a question of time ..

another thing m concerned about is displasia.. any advice?

What an adventure you have had with this dog.
Must have had no clue whatsoever that there was a huge drop - off on the other side of the balcony. It must have come as quite a shock to him. Lucky he didn't break his front legs/back/who knows what else. Amazing. He's probably in quite a bit of pain.

 Quote: Michel Karsouny

...and alternated very excited ball playing and tug of war

Perhaps you shall take it easy with him for a while, watch for any signs of injury or discomfort, don't let him overexercise. Sometimes I play mini-tug or mini-fetch with my dogs: same idea only the dog does not get up, very small movements. If you want to build his confidence you shall let Karly win more often than not, I believe.