Ketreva: How should a dog heel with a crutch user?
Heel is a position, on a person who walks without an assistive device that position is with the dogs neck in line with the handlers hip, or a wheelchair it is usually the drive wheel the dog lines up with. When on crutches sometimes the person would walk similar to an able-body person, but sometimes the person would use a swing through gait. What is the position the dog should follow to avoid confusion to the dog?
Sorry for explaining heel. I have seen a lot of things called heel that are pretty laughable. Including what is taught by the dog trainer in my area.
Answers and Views:
Answer by Mini muffen
good if its trained right
it depends on which leg the person on crutches swings with, if its the left then the dog should walk on the right to avoid being hit but they should still align with the persons hip and vice versa.
thats how my brother does it when he is walking with the dogs and is on crutches due to hip operations. plus if you think of it visually it makes sense.
hope this helps
Answer by kdoulosA dog who has been taught to heel already will follow the pattern of the person’s gate. If you are walking with crutches it is always wise to allow more slack in the lead so the dog won’t trip you up when you swing forward. The dog should basically be by your side or behind, but it should never pose a trip or falling hazard. Whenever you speed up your gate the dog should adjust its speed to yours.Answer by Bobbie L
Gee, thanks for telling us the definition of heeling. Like we didn’t know what heel is!Answer by bluebonnetgranny
That could pose a problem. The person should avoid the swing. You want the dog to stay close & not way out of the way.
Why would a person on crutches what a dog to heel next to him/her? There are leash laws, even for Service dogs. This is not a normal situation & there for you may have to make adjustments to the dogs position.
We all know what a heel is & how is normally done. You will have to modify the way it is done. You will have to be sure the dog is not in the way of the crutches. That will leave the dog too far out. The dog cannot walk between the person & the crutches, & you don’t want the dog to forge ahead. So slightly behind sounds like it would work.
Have you talked to any Service dog trainers? They would know exactly what to tell you.
https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGkkf3emRLAaEAB7FXNyoA?p=Service+dogs+%26+crutches&fr2=sb-top&sao=1
Answer by MaxiI am teaching a pup at the moment to walk for a little girl who either wears callipers or has one leg in plaster ( when both legs in plaster she is in a wheelchair) I am teaching the pup to walk a little ahead and further away from the leg/chair, also to walk comfortably on both sides….she is also learning to reach/collect different things, open doors, directional controls and lots of other things to come…she is only 14 weeks old so has lots of learning still to do
My thought is you are looking for a name for this position, however you don’t need to be so precise unless doing competition obedience
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