Training adaptations for owners who have limited physical ability

[NANCY RICHARDS]

Hi, i'm Nanc and new here, just purchased Brain Training.  I have a super smart 2 1/2-year-old male Cairn Terrier named Griffin.  I have had him since he was 8 weeks old and he is a sweetheart.  I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 19 years old and am now 72.  It has gotten worse. I was married for 46 years but my husband died in 2021 and my old Cairn Wally died a few months later.  I was thrilled to get Griff in August.  He has been my constant companion since.  Initially, training went great, he is the 6th Cairn I've had in my life. 

Here's the but then, my hip deteriorated and I needed a new one.  I could not find a surgeon who would give me one.  I weighed too much, but a body resists losing weight when it cannot move because of debilitating pain.  I hired a trainer to help me figure out how to work around my disabilities. His answer was an e collar, which worked pretty well, as Griff did not mind paying attention to it. He responded to very little stimulus. Unfortunately, the trainer quit abruptly (with all his clients).  Then a few months later, in March of 23, the ball on my femur bone disintegrated and I was no longer mobile. I went searching for surgeons again, 3 said no, still too heavy, although and get this, if I had fallen and fractured any bone around my hip or leg, I would have been given a hip no matter what my weight.  I was furious.  Because I had been favoring my right hip since I fell in 2018, by March of 2023, the ball of my femur was gone as were all the bones in my left wrist were gone, eated by arthritis, my left knee and ankle are both bone on bone, and the lower vertebra in my spine have severe arthritis. 

In late May of 2023 I found a surgeon who said yes, finally and in early June, I got my hip.  Rehabilitation has been very difficult because of my left side joints.  When I went into the rehab facility, I got no rehab.  Short-staffed, they said.  Then why am I here?  I had no one at home to help me, that was why.  I had to board Griff with a woman who boards in her home, better than a kennel I thought. 

He came back to me way different, barking, peeing inside again and not listening. I still struggle with these.  I need help.  His excitement is too intense and the e collar doesn't work at the same low level as before so I don't use it.  I use a walker and have balance issues, I am afraid to walk him for fear of falling and fear of losing him to the forest that surrounds my home and the predators it contains.  We play inside, ball mostly and he has a small fenced yard where he barks at deer and birds and bats and neighbors' dogs that run loose, and neighbors, and the UPS guy, Mail truck, garbage truck, and he does all this barking inside the house as well. I cannot get on the floor with him because I cannot get back up, and I cannot use my walker over rough ground.

So I need some workarounds for any of the training that requires a physicality that I do not possess.  I want to be able to get down, or take him to different locations, outside for instance, but I don't do stairs well. I do have a paved driveway and can get out to that, but there are the loose dogs  or deer to stimulate him possibly causing me to fall.  But I am willing to try. 

He already has a lot of skills. He touches my hand and looks me in the eye before getting a treat and he picks things up for me when I drop them, pens, paper, salt shaker, grabbers, just about anything. For which I give him a treat, small.  So he also will steal paper from the recycle bin and bring it to get that tiny treat.  He will also get my shoes from another room for me. Griff is super smart and I don't want him to loose that. He understands so many words. And he loves vegetables. I think he would rather have celery than meat.  

I am hopeful that this course can help me achieve the control to help him be my best dog. 

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Hi there, welcome to the forums!

I'm sorry to hear about all the challenges you have faced with your health and the loss of your husband and your previous Cairn, Wally. It's evident that Griffin holds a special place in your heart and you and Griffin have been through quite a journey together!

 It's understandable that navigating training when dealing with mobility issues can be incredibly challenging. Given your circumstances, it's crucial to find training approaches that align with your capabilities and ensure both your and Griffin's safety. While traditional methods may not be feasible, there are certainly creative solutions we can explore together. 

A training plan that emphasizes mental stimulation and reinforces positive behaviors without the need for physical exertion sounds like the ideal approach. You will likely have to focus on exercises that can be performed indoors or in controlled environments to minimize the risk of falls or encounters with wildlife.

Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and scent games can help engage Griffin's mind and provide enrichment without requiring strenuous physical activity.

Additionally, incorporating verbal cues and hand signals can facilitate communication with Griffin, allowing you to convey your expectations and reinforce desired behaviors effectively. It sounds like he may also benefit from some relaxation techniques. 

If using a food lure is not possible to train a cue such as down, you may find capturing helpful: https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/archive/what-is-capturing-in-dog-training/

It's great that he'll pick up dropped items for you! That's an awesome activity that surely benefits you both. 

Smart as he is, I am sure he would enjoy clicker training and trick training. 

If you want to manage his barking and excitement, you may it helpful implementing desensitization and counterconditioning techniques. Gradually exposing him to triggers such as the sight of deer, birds, or delivery trucks through a window can be a good starting point. Here is a guide: https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/university/look-at-that/

You may find it useful to use environmental management strategies, such as closing curtains or using white noise machines, to minimize external stimuli that may trigger barking indoors when not actively working on the problem. Consider enlisting the help of a trusted friend or neighbor to accompany you during outdoor training sessions to provide additional support and assistance as needed.

By focusing on indoor training, utilizing safe outdoor spaces, and prioritizing mental enrichment activities, you can work towards achieving better control over Griffin's behavior while accommodating your mobility limitations. Remember to be patient, consistent, and adaptable in your approach. Together, you and Griffin can overcome these challenges and continue to build a strong and fulfilling relationship.

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any particular questions or would like to do some troubleshooting. 

 

[NANCY RICHARDS]

 

Thank you Adrienne, for responding so quickly, and I am sorry I didn't.  I had flu this past weekend, better now though.  I have been reading the beginning of your course.  Surprisingly, I have covered my front windows down low and put up sheers on my window wall at the rear.  It has curtailed some barking, but he still has his nose and it is keen.  He goes to the front door and sniffs at the bottom right corner and comes away barking and running for the back door to get out. 

I love the idea of making the smacking sound for his attention, but a clicker - I would never have in my hand - but my mouth I've always got.  Many of your suggestions are very adaptable for me. Griff is my 6th Cairn and I have always trained my other dogs and they were all great dogs.  I think my biggest problem with him is that I can't walk him, so he doesn't see me as his leader.  So he often just ignores me, very frustrating.  But I am hopeful that your techniques will work.  I will keep you apprised.

Bye for now, Nanc

[Adrienne Farricelli]

You are very welcome! I am glad to hear that you are feeling better.

I am glad to also hear his barking has reduced! I am afraid for the scent there's not much we can do other than block access to that area too or try to redirect it by calling him over, asking him to sit and then toss some kibble or treats to keep his mouth busy and keep on repeating until he's less interested in that scent he has caught. Talking about great nose, it may be fun to engage in him some nose work exercises. Nosework kits can be purchased online. 

In regards to walks,  perhaps you can have a friend, neighbor or family member walk him or you can hire a dog walker for a few days of the week while you  supplement with play, training and brain games. 

Keep me posted and feel free to post here if you have any questions.

Best,

Adrienne