Training a dog to pull a wheelchair is possible, but it must be done very gradually, getting the dog used to pulling a variety of increased weights over a time period of about two months. In this way, the dog's strength and fitness will increase at a reasonable, steady weight, and she will get used to the sensation of having something "follow" her when she walks forward. Just make sure that your dog has a mature and steady temperament before you begin this training.
Things You'll Need
- Dog harness
- 2 thick leads with attachable clips at each end
- 2 milk cartons with handles, 2 liters (the ones with handles)
- Tire with a selection of stones and rocks
- Child's wheeled cart
- Wheelchair
- Access to private field
- Access to public park
Instructions
Check your dog's basic obedience first by doing some basic training. Command her to walk at your heel, or leave her off of her leash, then call her back to you. She should respond to your commands right away.
Introduce your dog to her harness by putting it on her and taking her for walks in a private field. Do this for one week. During that week, introduce a command word such as "Pull." When you are walking with her, come to a sudden stop, then while patting your leg say, "Pull" (or another command word) in a loud voice and start walking again. She needs to start walking with you at the command. Praise her when she does, and give her some food as a treat each time. Do the same with a different command word, such as "Stop," to train her to stop when you want her to.
Introduce some weight by attaching the leads to the full milk cartons at one end, and the dog's harness at the other. If she seems spooked by the weight behind her, just behave in a normal, positive way. Give her lots of praise and encouragement, and behave as you usually do when you take her for a walk. When she walks at a steady pace at your heel while pulling the cartons, praise her and give her some food as a treat again.
Increase the weights over several weeks --- allow her eight to 10 days to get used to each increase. Try walking about 20 feet away from her and commanding her to sit and stay from there. If all is going well, she should be responding to your vocal commands regardless of where you are.
Upgrade the weight to a child's cart (with wheels), with some sandbags on top. Make sure that your dog has gradually adjusted to pulling this weight. Now bring her to a public park and get her used to pulling the weight and obeying your commands while there are distractions around, such as other people and dogs. Reward everything that she does correctly with lots of praise and treats.
Attach your dog to a wheelchair, with someone able-bodied sitting in it, initially. Use the command words that signal her to start pulling and to stop, and reward her for getting the actions right. Take about two to three weeks for her to get used to pulling a person in the wheelchair before she starts to pull someone who is disabled.