6 replies to this topic

[Taylor818]

Hey all, I'm a C6 quad with no finger movement but would really like to take my dog for a walk in my chair. She weighs about 60lbs so I need a sturdy leash but don't want to use a choke collar and don't have the fine motor skills necessary for a traditional leash hook. Any suggestions on how to make it happen would be amazing. Thank you!!

[quadinva]

Take that pup to obedience school. It did wonders for mine. Are you in a powerchair or manual chair? If power, then find a place to attatch the leash (ie leg stabilizer or something), that way with a dog that knows the "heal" command (from obedience school) and a secure tether on your chair, he wont run off and you wont get yanked out of the chair if he does try. Also, you can stop and 'pull' the slack in if you encounter a car and need fido to get out of the road.

If youre in a manual, then youll have to trust the heal command a little more. If you trust your k-9 companion enough, then put your hand through the leash handle. I would suggest a choke chain, if used properly you can keep your dog in-line without hurting him. Anticipate where his mind is going (ie if you see a squirrel think the pup will go after it) and give a quick 'snap' on the leash...itll get his attention without strangling him. After a few 'walks' yall will get on the same page and hell start anticipating your next move, instead of visa versa, and yall will get along quite nicely. If you cant get over the cruel thought of a choke chain, try a 'gentle leader' (google it) but make sure you properly train him on it at home as some dogs really dislike it at first and will flop around like a fish on a line until they get it off.

I trained my pup on a choke chain, but quickly disgarded it as he was a quick learner. Now just the snap on the leash with a regular color is all the reminder he needs to shape up. But the biggest thing is obedience school. Even if your dog is reasonably obedient, they always pick up something new with a month or two of classes.

-Bags

[esslouis]

hi there
agree take pup to obedience school to get the basic commands down pat. I walk my dog louis with a gundog leash looped into a figure of eight - put the leash over the head of the dog and then draw a loop up and twist once and put over nose of dog. You have 2 points of control and as with horses control the head control the horse this is the same with a dog. I find louis walks nicely with this method and no clips required. I can pm a photo if this helps to see it. I don't have good motor control with my right hand so this helps as no clips to do up and undo. I walk with a four wheeled walker and he walks really nice with this method. hope this helps esslouis

[goose]

Taylor

Before you leave rehab, ask an OT. Sometimes, they are trained to help with dogs or may know someone else there that is. They may can bring someone in to help both of you. Never hurts to ask. They are trained to find solutions.

[ZEN12many]

Hi Taylor

I definitely think you should re-think the choke chain. It is especially handy if you don't have full hand/finger function. Once the choke chain is attached to the leash, you can simply slip the choke chain over your dog's head. After our family dog, Sky (Skyler Rose), turned about 7 months old, I began walking her with my electric scooter. I loved it; she loved it. When I got on the scooter, I would hold out the choke chain (already attached to leash and scooter) and she would slip her head into it.

I fitted an upside down "L" onto the back of the scooter so that a board stuck out on the right (I walk her on the right because we sometimes have to go in the bike lane and I want her away from the cars). I attach her to the board sticking out. The scooter and I are, together, very heavy; so there is no chance my 85 pound dog is going to turn the scooter over. At first I connected the dog lower on the scooter (to the arm) but I found that made the leash hang low and she kept stepping over it and I would have to stop and try to reach down and fish it out from under her. I use both hands on the handlebars of my scooter; so I don't hang onto her leash at all - she is just connected.

I will try to upload a photo. This is my first upload - so ????

Try this photo upload again.

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[Taylor818]

Thank you all for the suggestions...I've changed my mind about the choke collar since obedience school isn't an option right now...Miss Daisy (English Bulldog) will have a new necklace soon. I'm in a manual chair so here's to hoping it goes well!

[goose]

Great picture Rodney. I'm so glad you and your dog can go places together.


@Taylor...Roo has English bulldogs. He may be able to give you some pointers. He also uses a manual chair and he has several dogs .