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Thoughts on training when physical limitations are present

Posted : 3/15/2010 12:00:04 AM

I have been dealing with a bad back for decades, but in the past year it has become very problematic. I have always had to be careful not to spasm my back doing certain task, but now, just about anything can spasm it into immobility it seems. I have had at least a half dozen episodes where I literally could not walk or move for days at a time. The most recent one was about 3 weeks ago and I am still very close to being back immobile just with every day tasks. Things had been going so good with my back for 6 months. It's a weakness I've been working on, but it's decided to be stubborn on this latest relapse.

Now add in a litter of puppies needing training and I have a conundrum. Leash training is probably going to be my biggest issue because I literally can not doing any bending. Anything that I have to do with them requires me getting down on my knees and staying there for the duration. There isn't any multiple ups and downs, and it takes me a good minute to get back on my feet when I do get up. My knees aren't liking me, but I don't have much choice. Sitting with my backside on the floor is so-so and I have to be really careful of any other movement. Sitting in a chair and reaching down to them isn't a good idea either because I'm still bending at the waist. These are Min Pin puppies, so they aren't big and I don't want them rearing up to reach the treats. I'm using a clicker, but I need some ideas on how to progress with leash training.

BEVOLASVEGAS

Posted : 3/15/2010 9:31:47 AM

Well....you can send Sage to me, & I'll train her! And never return her.

For leash training, I'd use a targeting stick. Teach them to target the stick. Then have them follow the stick, while on collar & leash. Eventually, phasing out the targeting stick altogether. This is how I taught Shooter & Schatzi to walk on leash, & I modified positioning a little to get Shooter heeling.

I'm cheap, so I use a yard stick as a targeting stick.

Liesje

Posted : 3/15/2010 9:55:23 AM

I was going to say, use a long thin dowel and do targeting, like what Amanda is saying. You can use Easy Cheese as the treat, just pop a dab on the end of your stick and you never have to bend over.

stardancnminpin

Posted : 3/15/2010 11:06:24 AM

I hadn't thought of doing the targeting stick - or the Easy Cheese. LOL I got a combo clicker/target stick for Christmas! Don't know why I didn't think of it. Anyway, thanks for the idea.

Oh, and Amanda - Sage would be ruling your crew and you would be begging me to take her back! LOL

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/15/2010 9:27:36 PM

I am there as well -- in fact, attending dog training class in a wheelchair recently AIN'T been fun.

I work with Tink a LOT on the futon. But then you have to work with them in a zillion places -- I have to take a chair **anywhere** -- and if I get down on the floor right now you just have to bury me, cos getting up ain't happening.

Take chairs with you -- because even if you use a targeting stick, you can work from a chair when you are not able to stand -- and it honestly serves to add flexibility. Because they catch on quick that they gotta do what you ask whether you are standing, sitting or whatever. And it ultimately makes them that much more bombproof.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 3/15/2010 9:57:37 PM

Also, for teaching sit/stand/down.... put them on a table. Even if up and down is easy for you, it is SO much easier to put the little dog (who is comfortable with being lifted) on a table, and work with it there. You can *see* what it's doing. You can reach it, quickly. I work stationary positions on a table, with mine, STILL.