-
Double trouble or double cute? When ” for company” also needs gentle guidance.
Ok community, can we brainstorm?
I was recently contacted to help a first time puppy owner who bought two King Cavalier puppies.
Talking to the gentleman for the first time on the phone i can hear how overwhelmed he was.
This is a unique situation as the gentleman is a paraplegic living on his own, in a third floor apartment. He wanted them to bring “life” into his own life. He did a lot of research before and after getting them. However, 2 puppies still bring challenges.
I am also being challenged as I have only had one other case similar to this.
My goal are basic at this time: name, touch for recall and to return to him, gentle outdoor exposure, body handling ( so he can pick them up comfortably), impulse control: to wait their turn, brief separation from each other etc. I will be training them separately and surprisingly, each has already showed calmness in the crate ( reinforced by me) when working with the other.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss if anyone else had a unique situation like this and what were some of your training ideas that could help!
The boys pictured after training!
Thanks
-
8 Replies
-
Oh my goodness — they are so precious!
I’m looking forward to seeing what members share with you. -
@jenz ! These guys are so cute. What fun.
I had a client with a pair of Cavaliers awhile back. They were close in age but from different litters and their personalities could not have been more different. One was super “birdy/hunty” and the other one just wanted to cuddle. Key for that family was helping them see what motivators worked for each dog.
Specifically, what kind of help are you looking for with in this case?
-
These pups are brothers. One is more confident/assertive while the other is slightly more cautious but curious/confident. However, they both seem to mimic each other when it comes to naps!
I am just curious if anyone has a must behavior for someone in a wheelchair to help out the human in the sense of possible avoiding the wheelchair, approaching etc. Specific enrichment and for Cavaliers (honestly, this is my first with the breed!). They play a bit with a rope toy but mostly play together per the owner. I want them to engage with the owner, too. Flirt pole maybe?
Open to any and all ideas, really!
Thanks!
-
They sound absolutely wonderful – what a joy.
In my experience, dogs who grow up around adaptive devices like wheelchairs or walkers tend to take it all in stride without needing any special training. To them, it is simply part of their person’s everyday life, and they adapt naturally.
If the goal is to make things a bit easier for the client day-to-day, it could be helpful to teach each pup to settle on a designated spot like a couch or chair. That way, grooming tasks like harnessing or brushing can be done more comfortably and with less strain. If the station also has a tether or crate, this could help confine one dog while he works with the second a short distance away.
When it comes to building a strong bond, there really is no substitute for one-on-one time. Giving each dog individual attention, even in short moments, will go a long way in helping his relationship grow with each pup.
Enjoy! What a fun case.
-
I agree about your mention about the wheelchair taking it in stride; they seemed to be unphased by it.
The place is a great idea for putting equipment on. Right now he picks them up, which they seem to be ok it at this time. I think they could get a negative association with the approach if it is not conditioned positively.
Thanks for the idea!
-
@jenz Glad to be helpful. One other idea he could do easily from a wheelchair is flirt-pole play. I’d recommend working with one pup at a time, then getting a “default” down first, then adding the flirt pole in. We have a couple posts in the community about this, you can try searching for those.
This is great spaniel enrichment because it’s “birdy” with halts (I prefer down over pointing, but same idea). Plus it will help with the inevitable impulse control he’ll need on walks.
-
-
-
-
-
I would recommend him hiring a dog walker, as well, so that the pups learn how to walk on leash and get quality time outside. A flirt pole is also a great idea. I love that you are training them separately.
Does he have any friends or family to help get them socialized and out and about?
Yay and I’m so happy they have you, @jenz ! They are already ahead of the game.????
-
Hi!
Thanks for chiming in!
He does not have friends or family per say that can help him. Based on the info he told me, his life is “lifeless” with no one stable in it; including his ex wife and adult kids. The dogs were to “bring life into his life”.
I actually got them outside with a colleague Tuesday! They did surprisingly well! Kobe, who is more cautious but curious enjoyed sniffing and exploring, but paused and froze a bit on the way out as well experiencing curbs. If he didn’t thin about it, he was fine! If he seemingly stopped to think about “this” he got a little stuck but with some brotherly and our help, he bounced back nicely. Kobe also seemingly shut down inside initially when his brother went out of sight. My colleague was amazing and was able to get him to engage within a few minutes while I worked with OJ, the more confident one.
I will drop the idea about a routine with a dog walker maybe 1-2x a week! (to start and ease him into the idea).
Hope all is well!
-
Log in to reply.