18 replies to this topic

[ziggy]

I'm a C-6 quad and i have a 14 year old daughter.I'm not married to her mother,but we live close and my daughter spends alot of time at my apartment.She has wanted a dog for a long time,but i passed because i figured that i couldn't let the dog outside to go to the bathroom when she isn't around.My daughter's birthday is coming and i'm now considering getting her a dog,but i have some concerns.

My question is for any single quads who own a dog,how do you go about letting them outside to do their business?I'm decent with using my hands even though my fingers don't work,so i'm thinking i could figure out how to attatch a rope or chain to a dogs collar.There just will be some days where my daughter isn't around and before i get her a dog i would like to hear from other quads with a dog and how they handle it because unless i can do this stuff myself,getting the dog has to be a no go.

[KimAndSophie]

I'm also a c6 and have a guide dog. You can get leashes with different types of clips. I use one like this:



You can get ones with a bigger part that sticks out to help you open it to unhook it from the colar and to attach it you just push it against the loop on the colar. These are the easiest clips I have found to use so far. It takes a bit of practice, but you could probably do it more easily when you can see what you are doing with the clip/loop.



I hope this helps.

[Quadvet]

Nice-looking dog there lilnewfie. Looks like s/he could give you a good pull, fun. I am C5/6 complete quad, been raising and breeding Rottweilers since my accident in 1990. I use a collar that is something like the old-fashioned choke chain. But it's made out of 1" nylon web and only squeezes enough to do the job, not choke. They are adjustable to where the dog's head will just squeeze through the latched collar but not slip off once on the dog. I leave the collar latched and attached to the leash because I have not found a latch hook I can operate. When it's time to go, the dog puts their head through it the collar. I use a short flat nylon leash, with a large loop that I can put up into the crook of my elbow for maximum control strength.

First post here, I will look for a picture of this collar on one of my dogs.

[itsjustme]

Quadvet,

Just wanted to say hi and welcome to the forum! It's really a worldwide community with this common circumstance that makes us one.

Happy you joined us!

[brackman22]

I live in a house now that has a fenced yard. Before I moved up here, I too had a rottweiler. I did the same thing as Quadvet. The only difference is I had a longer leash that I wrapped around the left pushandle on my chair. I would then wrap it around my elbow and wrist a couple times. I have a chest strap on my chair for when I'm driving. I wore it when walking my dog and it gave me a lot more control.

BRETT

[KimAndSophie]

Quadvet, on Apr 6 2007, 08:33 AM, said:

Nice-looking dog there lilnewfie. Looks like s/he could give you a good pull, fun. I am C5/6 complete quad, been raising and breeding Rottweilers since my accident in 1990. I use a collar that is something like the old-fashioned choke chain. But it's made out of 1" nylon web and only squeezes enough to do the job, not choke. They are adjustable to where the dog's head will just squeeze through the latched collar but not slip off once on the dog. I leave the collar latched and attached to the leash because I have not found a latch hook I can operate. When it's time to go, the dog puts their head through it the collar. I use a short flat nylon leash, with a large loop that I can put up into the crook of my elbow for maximum control strength.

I use a colar like you mentioned too. It's made of nylon and has some chain at one end. I just have my dog's leash attached to the front frame of my wheelchair. She knows not to pull too much, and I've been using it since 2004 and have had no problems with doing it this way.

Edited by ~lilnewfie~, 07 April 2007 - 12:00 AM.

[Quadvet]

Thanks for the welcome! I have indeed noticed the worldwide membership. Great, we are all in the proverbial 'same boat' and gotta keep it ship shape.

BRETT - I tried attaching the leash to the armrest of my power chair but found I had less control of the animal - that 150lb Rott almost pulled me into a bad situation more than once doing it that way. With a leash, a small tug at the appropriate time keeps them in check much better than verbal commands. Oh, I see though that you used a longer leash and wrapped it around your arm, so that would be the same basically. Till the dog pulls too hard and release is necessary. Not that it happens, but if it must, I don't want him to hit the end of the leash at full force on my wheelchair arm rest. Chair and I weigh ~500lb, but you know how strong a big dog can be.

So, I didn't mean to hijack the thread.

Ziggy;

I didn't mention that I live alone also. I hope you figure a way to have a dog, not only for your daughter, but yourself. I am a strong advocate for adopting shelter dogs. Perfectly fine and trained animals are put to death daily through no fault of their own. Please consider.

[ziggy]

I didn't mention that I live alone also. I hope you figure a way to have a dog, not only for your daughter, but yourself. I am a strong advocate for adopting shelter dogs. Perfectly fine and trained animals are put to death daily through no fault of their own. Please consider.

That's my plan if i get the dog.I live in an apartment so it has to be a small dog,which is probably easier for me anyways.

My biggest concern isn't finding a way to attatch a leash to the collar,it's getting myself and the dog out of my big sliding glass patio door.I have a short ramp that rests right up against my sliding glass patio door,i use that to get in/out of my apartment.When i am going in or out and/or going up or down that short ramp,i need to use both of my hands.When going up it i need both hands to push my chair and when going i need both hands to slow down my chair and keep my balance.

So my concern is how i could control the leash while going down/up that ramp.I'm thinking i could attach the leash somewhere to my chair,but if the dog made a sudden unexpected movement or didn't listen,it might be a problem.

Obviously if i had my own home with a fenced in yard,i likely would have zero problems.Just open the door and let the dog out,when he/she is done,open the door and let it back in.In my situation though,a leash slipping off my hand and tangling around my wheels while going down the ramp could be a real drag.

BTW,big thanks to anyone who takes time to respond.I'm really hoping i can figure this out and gve my daughter a dog as a birthday gift in a few weeks.

[ziggy]

This is a picture of me with my nephew,you can get an idea of how my ramp/patio door look.It's the best i could find for now.

[Quadvet]

Good looking youngster in the boonie hat, Ziggy. I didn't mean to scare you off from tying the leash to your chair. It is a fairly simple matter to teach a dog not to pull. You didn't mention previous experience with dogs though. Visit your local shelters, there are many very amiable and trained dogs looking for homes. Don't be afraid, a dog is really a very tame animal unless mistreated. Shelter workers will surely help you find a suitable animal, even over the phone.
Best of luck, I don't think you can go wrong - I would be lost without my dogs.

[kiwiquad]

Hi all...I don't live alone, but I am a higher break than you all above. & have been breeding/raising Rottweilers since 1984. I drive a beastie motorized w/chair that NO dog I've ever trained (on a simple choke collar & a 2 1/2ft leash) has ever begged to question the chairs ability to over ride their power or mess with unforgiving metal footplates! I'm making myself sound brutle, but the lessons are quickly learnt usually on the first time & due to their struggle to get away from the chair.
(I've never had an AB walk my dogs on a lead to assist me, as dogs like to know their place in the pack, so keep yourself as the leader...ALWAYS!)
Back to your question ziggy, I agree with my fellow rottie lover quadvet, that there is alot of shelter dogs to be adopted out there, that would be an honorable option.

It really got me wondering how you could get out of the house in an emergency eg fire, if you couldn't let a dog out for a pee? Now I've re read your post, do you mean how do I control it when you're actually out the door?

I personally would opt for a housetrained puppy bitch

Good luck,
Jo'

Re pic...excuse the eighties hair on a windy day, just an example of the biggest Rott I've owned (in the foreground) who loved walking leashed to the left front of the w/chair.

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Edited by kiwigurl, 17 May 2007 - 09:23 AM.

[Lee]

Has any of you guys toilet trained a puppy? How do you get them outside intime to go to the loo if they have already started or are going to start in the house? I know accidents happen all the time but how do you manage?

[wheelin]

best way is right after they eat make them go outside and stay with them till they go..this teaches that after they eat they need to go outside..then pretty soon they will come to you when they need to go

[Lee]

wheelin, on May 18 2007, 09:45 PM, said:

best way is right after they eat make them go outside and stay with them till they go..this teaches that after they eat they need to go outside..then pretty soon they will come to you when they need to go

Cheers but i realise that but as the question asked, if they start to go too the loo, pee on ya floor, how do you manage to get them outside? Or is it a case of just clean up and hope for better luck next time?

[wheelin]

Lee, on May 19 2007, 05:42 PM, said:

wheelin, on May 18 2007, 09:45 PM, said:

best way is right after they eat make them go outside and stay with them till they go..this teaches that after they eat they need to go outside..then pretty soon they will come to you when they need to go

Cheers but i realise that but as the question asked, if they start to go too the loo, pee on ya floor, how do you manage to get them outside? Or is it a case of just clean up and hope for better luck next time?

just what u said..lol

[Lee]

thought so, lol. cheers.

[Quadvet]

Lee, on May 19 2007, 10:42 AM, said:

wheelin, on May 18 2007, 09:45 PM, said:

best way is right after they eat make them go outside and stay with them till they go..this teaches that after they eat they need to go outside..then pretty soon they will come to you when they need to go

Cheers but i realise that but as the question asked, if they start to go too the loo, pee on ya floor, how do you manage to get them outside? Or is it a case of just clean up and hope for better luck next time?

It's more than a matter of luck. Dogs have an amazing ability to learn, and instincts that Make them want
to please us.

Be patient, be ready to clean up after them for a bit, but be diligent in paying attention to when it's time to go out - it's only fair. If you catch him in the act, try to use a firm but encouraging voice. Remain calm, don't scream or be demeaning (unless that's how you want to treat him the rest of his life. I give no warnings that I can't back up, and there is no 'asking' them to do something.

Unless it's stupid, a dog will learn to want to go out on their own. All my dogs, from Chihuahuas to pits to Rotts have learned to hold it for the 11 hours at night that I can't let them out. I had dogs in the past that could wait for days...but that's another story.

They want to please us, and are quick to learn how if we give them a chance. Show some kindness and love and they will be willing to die for you. When you get one, let us know how it's going.

All the best.

Playing with my little pit bitch. Pre-SCI, obviously.

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[ihaveaheartofgold67]

Lee, on May 18 2007, 02:18 PM, said:

Has any of you guys toilet trained a puppy? How do you get them outside intime to go to the loo if they have already started or are going to start in the house? I know accidents happen all the time but how do you manage?

hello ,i have a puppy which is 5 months old now.i am in electric wheel chair tho.but i was gonna let u know that if the puppy piddles..spray alchol on the spot he piddles ,he hate the smell and wont go there again,also if u cant let him out in time put down a puppy pad (looks like a blue pad) down and he will automatic piddle there and do a #2 either way enjoy ur dog take care and god bless

[charol9095]

ihaveaheartofgold67, on May 26 2007, 03:14 PM, said:

Lee, on May 18 2007, 02:18 PM, said:

Has any of you guys toilet trained a puppy? How do you get them outside intime to go to the loo if they have already started or are going to start in the house? I know accidents happen all the time but how do you manage?

hello ,i have a puppy which is 5 months old now.i am in electric wheel chair tho.but i was gonna let u know that if the puppy piddles..spray alchol on the spot he piddles ,he hate the smell and wont go there again,also if u cant let him out in time put down a puppy pad (looks like a blue pad) down and he will automatic piddle there and do a #2 either way enjoy ur dog take care and god bless

Hi.......I couldn't live without a dog door. I think whoever invented them should get a medal. I've had several dogs and they all use it. That means they've got control of the house 24/7!

Carol