training
Helping Owners, Helping Dogs Veronica Sanchez of PPG corporate sponsor Cooperative Paws Service Dog Coach™
discusses how to best train loose leash walking for clients with mobility impairments
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© Veronica Sanchez
Working with clients who have physical limitations and their dogs sometimes requires some creative troubleshooting but is extremely rewarding
large and rambunctious dog can pull an owner off their feet even when they do not have any physical limitations, but people who have mobility impairments are at an even higher risk. Additionally, the consequences of an injury may be more serious. Fortunately, there are a variety of strategies that can help clients with mobility limitations be successful in training their dogs to walk on a loose leash. Many people may experience a mobility limitation, including people with disabilities, people with temporary health injuries, and seniors. Some individuals may need adaptive equipment like crutches, canes, casts or wheelchairs, while others may use strategies like walking slowly and taking frequent breaks. Clearly, mobility impairments do not affect everyone the same way. This applies even if people use the same type of adaptive equipment. For instance, one individual using a wheelchair may have full use of their arms and hands, while another may not. People with the same diagnosis can have different limitations. Many conditions, like cerebral palsy, for example, can affect individuals in a range of ways. Because of this, it is important for pet professionals not to make assumptions. Training strategies and accommodations need to be matched to the unique needs of the client.
If the client uses adaptive equipment, it can take much longer for them to go through a doorway. Imagine holding a door, a leash and using a walker at the same time. If the dog pulls or bolts to go through the door, this situation becomes even harder. In most cases, a routine needs to be established for doorways according to the owner’s specific needs. 28
BARKS from the Guild/March 2019
© Veronica Sanchez
Mobility impairments do not affect everyone in the same way so it is important to match training strategies and accommodations to the unique needs of the client
Getting Started
In a perfect world, a client with a mobility impairment hires a professional trainer when the dog is still a puppy. Starting with a puppy gives the owner time to develop training skills, good timing and a history of reinforcement for loose leash walking before the dog has grown to full size. Even if the owner delays getting started, in most cases, they can still safely participate in the training with some additional accommodations. Sometimes, helpers may be needed to either assist with training the dog or to hold a second leash. A helper can be a care giver, a friend, an apprentice trainer, or someone from the community. With the helper holding a second leash for backup, the client can safely let go if needed. Occasionally, it is just too risky for the client to work with the dog themselves at first. Some training options include board and train facilities and day training, whose methods should be carefully vetted in advance to make sure they are science-based, humane and force-free. Because people with mobility impairments usually move slowly, walking on a loose leash can be frustrating for an energetic dog. For this reason, trainers can have owners play or exercise their dog for a few minutes before beginning a practice session on loose leash walking. Mix sniff and explore breaks in the training session or off-leash play in a safe, enclosed area when possible.
Training Techniques and Tools
Just as when working with owners without mobility limitations, shaping, targeting and luring can be used to teach the dog. However, you may need to break down the training process into smaller increments over a longer period of time. For example, you may need to work in a less distracting setting for longer before adding distractions. You may also need to spend more time helping the client solidify foundation behaviors before moving onto additional skills.