Teach Your Dog To Use A Wheelchair
If you read the earlier article about dog wheelchairs and carts, you might have rushed out to buy one to help your faithful companion maintain a higher quality of life. But what happens when the cart arrives and your dog refuses to walk in it?
Here are a few tips to help persuade him it’s a good idea:
Go Back To Basics
Remember when you were first training your dog, you needed to associate it with rewards and good behaviour. It’s the same here, so put the cart next to his food when you feed him and bring the cart out when you give him a treat or his favourite toy. If and when he sniffs the wheelchair/cart, praise him for it
Distraction
If you try placing your dog in the wheelchair at home, it will occupy his full attention. Try a little distraction! Take him to the park and then put him in the cart. Surrounded by a new place and new smells, the cart can’t occupy his full attention for long and he’ll be tempted to take a few steps and look around. If or when he shows any interest in walking, praise him but make sure you take him out of the cart and back home before he gets too tired and irritable. It may take a few attempts so don’t be disheartened if he barely moves at all on the first visit or so
Be Consistent
Keep taking your dog to new places with his wheelchair. Try taking him on a playdate with another dog – there’s no better distraction than another friendly dog to play with. Try new parks or taking him on a walk in a new area of town. People are always interested in seeing the wheelchair and will stop and talk to you.
Loading ...