toofarnorth Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Hi...I was wondering if there is anyone out there that has had any experience with training dogs when owner is in a manual wheelchair. I have a 17wo cocker spaniel puppy, and I am a paraplegic, that is in a wheelchair. He is NOT an assistance dog, just a beautiful companion pet that I was hoping to do obedience with. I am interested in agility, but I think that because of my limitations that would be difficult unless someone else works him. Anyway, back to training, I am interested in how people have taught a dog to loose lead walk whilst in a wheelchair primarily. He is picking up on things so quickly, he waits for his food, sits, drops...etc. but the one area I am having troubles with is with him pulling, which makes it really difficult for me to walk him. My dachshund used to do this too, but I changed her over to a gentle leader and she was brilliant. I would prefer to try and train puppy to loose lead walk with me first without a gentle leader. Any tips please? Thanks. Anna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Sorry can't help you out but there are youtube clips of people doing both obedience and agility with their dogs from a wheelchair. http://www.youtube.com/user/lkalberda#p/u Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 I think you stopping when the pup pulls would be a good method to try. Pup starts pulling you stop and don't do anything. The minute pup looks at you, reward with treat. Reason being when the pups looks at you to see what you are doing it is loosening the lead. So you are teaching pup that loose lead means a reward. You could even set up what we call penalty yards. Have something that the pup really wants set up, dinner or fav toy. Move towards object. If pup pulls go back to the start line. Pup might not pull so quickly next time, keep going. Pup will probably lunge forwards again. Go right back to start line. Continue until you can reach the object with no pulling. Pup learns that it doesn't get what it wants if it is pulling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 The only dog/handler combination I have helped was an older GSD Bitch and we did the dog pulls handler stops and rewards a loos lead and attention. Worked quite well. I also like the idea of the penalty yards Jules. Basically the dog gains no ground and doesn't get to walk if the pull. only loose lead walking get the reward ie a treat and a walk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 (edited) Hi...I was wondering if there is anyone out there that has had any experience with training dogs when owner is in a manual wheelchair. I have a 17wo cocker spaniel puppy, and I am a paraplegic, that is in a wheelchair. He is NOT an assistance dog, just a beautiful companion pet that I was hoping to do obedience with. I am interested in agility, but I think that because of my limitations that would be difficult unless someone else works him. Anyway, back to training, I am interested in how people have taught a dog to loose lead walk whilst in a wheelchair primarily. He is picking up on things so quickly, he waits for his food, sits, drops...etc. but the one area I am having troubles with is with him pulling, which makes it really difficult for me to walk him. My dachshund used to do this too, but I changed her over to a gentle leader and she was brilliant. I would prefer to try and train puppy to loose lead walk with me first without a gentle leader. Any tips please? Thanks. Anna You've got to get in touch with Jo Morgan - she's in Qld and she's in an electric wheelchair. She trains her dogs as assistance dogs, but she also trials them and she's brilliant. http://www.disability.qld.gov.au/stories/jo-morgan/ I'm not keen to give her number out but if you Google her name you'll find it Edited February 21, 2010 by gsdog2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Kelpies Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Hi Anna, I've sent you a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Hey Anna I'm in Geelong I can give you a hand if you like, start him off for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incavale Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Have a look at this site http://www.prodogz.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofarnorth Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 I think you stopping when the pup pulls would be a good method to try. Pup starts pulling you stop and don't do anything. The minute pup looks at you, reward with treat. Reason being when the pups looks at you to see what you are doing it is loosening the lead. So you are teaching pup that loose lead means a reward. You could even set up what we call penalty yards. Have something that the pup really wants set up, dinner or fav toy. Move towards object. If pup pulls go back to the start line. Pup might not pull so quickly next time, keep going. Pup will probably lunge forwards again. Go right back to start line. Continue until you can reach the object with no pulling. Pup learns that it doesn't get what it wants if it is pulling. Jules, I will definitely start trying the treat method. Thankyou. I had been changing directions when he was starting to pull, but that seemed to have very little effect. He mainly pulls if my OH is walking my other dog in front, or if we are on our way home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofarnorth Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 Anna You've got to get in touch with Jo Morgan - she's in Qld and she's in an electric wheelchair. She trains her dogs as assistance dogs, but she also trials them and she's brilliant. http://www.disability.qld.gov.au/stories/jo-morgan/ I'm not keen to give her number out but if you Google her name you'll find it thanks gsdog2...i will definitely check out the above link. I ahve seen people in power chairs walk their dogs, however I am in am manual chair which has a couple of differences. It means I have to hold the lead and push chair at the same time, and my hand that holds the lead will be moving forward and back to push the chair. This can take a bit of getting used to for the dog. Also, a manual chair is much less stable than a power chair, would be almost like someone trying to talk there dog on roller skates! Ive almost had my dachshund pull me out onto a road once, so its really important for me and puppy to walk safely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 The changing directions only works if you can do it really quickly so that the dog can feel it. I imagine that you can't get around super quickly? You also need to treat immediately the dog is at your side, which I also imagine would be rather tricky to do if you are moving along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofarnorth Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 Hi Anna, I've sent you a PM. Got it 4kelpies..cheers thanks for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofarnorth Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 The changing directions only works if you can do it really quickly so that the dog can feel it. I imagine that you can't get around super quickly? You also need to treat immediately the dog is at your side, which I also imagine would be rather tricky to do if you are moving along. I agree, this is why your suggestion at me stopping, puppy looking at me and than being treated might be easier for me. I cant turn around on the go, I have to stop first otherwise I mihgt end up tipping backwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofarnorth Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 Hey AnnaI'm in Geelong I can give you a hand if you like, start him off for you Aw thanks Julie, that is VERY kind of you...I might give Jules method a shot first and see if we make progress that way..if not I will be PMing you. Thanks again! Thanks all for your input..he is a smart little fella who really wants to please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now