Category: Animal House
Hi All,
I'm hopefully going to be moving to an apartment soon. I will be getting a CockerSpaniel from a rescue center. She will be strictly for companionship, not a guide dog. However, since she will be strictly for companionship, when I take her for walks I'll have to use my cane. So I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with walking a companion animal & using their cane at the same time. If so, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Secondly, this dog is coming to me (via the rescue center) who raided a puppy mill to save her. I'm certain she'll be afraid of the cane initially, so again, if anyone has had experience with this. . . How can I get her to not be afraid of the cane? And finally, does anyone have any ideas on how I can socialize this poor girl once I get her? She is terrified of leashes & humans but gets along great with other dogs & cats.
Sorry this is so long, I just have tons of questions.
Thank you in advance for any help any of you can provide!
Michelle
Just take it one step at a time with your new dog. Let her get used to being around you and her new place. Use lots of praze and treats. You could train her with a clicker when she feels more comfortable with you. Maybe getting a cat for a companion might be good for her too. I don't know about the cane as I haven't used one since high school and currently have a wonderful guide dog. You could put the leash and cane next to her on the floor, let her sniff it and get used to seeing it. Do that for a few days before even putting the leash on her and using the cane. If I can think of anything else, I will let you know. Good luck with your doggie. *Smile.
Ok, well those are some things I did plan on doing, but I hadn't thought about putting the cane next to her. I've been reading up & trying to get all the info I can, it's just that I haven't received much help yet. Thank you for giving me some advice!
Hi michelle,
A lot of trainers suggest that you slowly introduce new things to your pets. You don't want to try something new on them too quickly. Allowing her to see, sniff and be around the leash, cane, etc., will give her opportunity to get to know each item better. Once she feels comfortable being around them, and she knows that you aren't going to hurt her with them, then you can slowly try using them with her. For example, after she gets used to the sight and smell of her leash, attach it to her collar, and just let her walk around the apartment with it on, so that she can get a feel of how it'll feel while she's out walking with you. Then, after she gets used to that, then you can try walking with her in the apartment, while the leash is on. She'll begin to associate the leash with walking with you. Giving her lots of praise and treats are very good ideas.
As for the cane, I suggest doing the same thing as you would with the leash. Let it lie around on the floor where she'll be, and let her get to know it's appearance, smell, etc. Then, after she is used to the leash, walk around your apartment with the leash attached to her, and with your cane in hand.
Doing all these things in your home will help her to feel more comfortable, rather than trying it outside in a place that she may not be as familiar with. Once she gets used to walking around the apartment with the leash and cane, then slowly adventure outdoors.
I hope this helps.
Hi Gemini,
Thank you very much! I really appreciate it. (smile)
Michelle
Hi, Michelle. I'm not sure what to say beyond what Gemini said here already. Maybe get her used to other humans slowly, too. First you, then maybe have one other friend over or something, then maybe a couple more people, whatever. I'd get her used to other humans before you take her out walking where she's going to encounter lots of them. She needs to learn that other people aren't going to hurt her, either.
*agrees with other posts*. My great nan has 2 West Highland Terriers and I sometimes go for a walk with her, but she takes both dogs and I normally end up walking in front with my cane. They're used to seeing my cane because they've known me for the last 7 years, but they just ignore it. Normally dogs will be very interested in a moving cane, or at least that's what I've found when I went round the same animal shelter several times. As for getting used to people, try only having one or 2 people round who you see a lot at first, so she can get used to them. Hope this helps.