Training Your Balance Dog

A man with balance problems trains his German Shepherd to assist him in walking around
town and country. Topics include: harness and leash, word commands, choosing a suitable dog, early training with a helper, visiting public places, negotiating stairs and slopes, and
dealing with doggy distractions.

[@maryestheraustin2505]

My heart goes out to this man, as his condition progresses, I hope he considers a different type of harness with more stability for him and his service dog.

[@vvalle3318]

I KNOW THIS IS A OLD VIDEO...BUT THIS GENTLEMAN IS SO KIND WITH HIS DOG......I HOPE HE DOING FINE. GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS THIS MAN ALWAYS.

[@nicanfhilidh]

I am sorry this gentleman only ever uploaded one video as his specific disability nearly mirrors my own, right down to having most of his issues on the left side. Plus I like his laid-back approach to animal handling and the way his dog is obviously devoted to him. I hope Ocean Moon is doing well.

[@danit5146]

I'm training my own service dog. I was getting worried about how to train mobility. This is the best instruction I've found. I'm definitely going to follow all your steps and hopefully remember to be patient and go slow. Thank you.

[@atyourservicedog]

This was such a beautiful video, thank you. I’m from New England, and you were very comforting to listen to. I appreciate that you used upward force to brace, instead of downward force which can be hard on the dog. You also have a great attitude about letting your dog enjoy his surroundings. Many trainers can be too strict, dogs need to stop and smell the flowers from time to time. 😊 My mobility dog has changed my life, and I encourage anyone who needs help to ask.🐾

[@lynnharr8953]

This was a nice gift to leave. Inspiring. Thoughtful man.

[@janflix8304]

Kudos to this man. He's a natural teacher. Excellent video! Good production values too.

[@happyzombiikitti]

This is so New England it makes me smile. I’m in NH, have fibro and mobility issues..this was informative and inspirational! Thank you!

[@atyourservicedog]

I know this is old, but I’m similar on the VT NH border. I hope you’re doing well!

[@26snoopy82]

This is the best training video on balance service dog. I’m learning a lot!

[@tedtrainer6302]

marvelous training video: great script, beautifully filmed and featuring an experienced dog lover and a loving dog.

[@DarleneK9Behave]

Thank you so much for your courage and hard work in filming this video. As a trainer I am always looking for a variety of resources and I found your video very very helpful. Thank you.

[@jadescott538]

Im 27 i have MS as well i was diagnosed in september of 2011 at the age of 19 i didnt used to have so many problems with balance but now i do. I just got a puppy and i figured as well as havring a companion i would also be able to use this dog for balance and a little added mobility. I am so happy i ran across this video

[@Desanirain]

Thank you for sharing this video and your knowledge. You have greatly helped with ideas on training my Mom's dog to help her with her balance and memory issues. Bless you!

[@poppydarling86]

I can't thank you enough for filming this inspiring video! I have MS and just rescued a Great Pyrenees to train as my balance dog. He's young and energetic but coming along well, and you've reminded me to be patient and relax -- we'll get there!

[@avivamae5171]

Wish this lovely fellow had more videos!

[@marychristina1961]

My Emmett DDR GSD is a brace dog. This is seriously the best, best video I have seen on training and use of a brace dog. All the best to you and Ike! Thank you for sharing!

[@MG-bq1uk]

Thanks for posting and recommending the books! He's adorable! I'm suddenly having mobility issues, including balance. Your video is a big help and provides good tips since I will be training my dog to be a mobility and guide dog. He has all the good characteristics of a potential service dog.

[@mistet7938]

Thank you for making this video. It helps to see an owner trained dog in action. I have MS also and so I have balance issues. I've found the right dog and have started training him. Soon we will be going everywhere together as well!

[@HeyJoeHaze]

This is a very informative and wonderful video. Thank you so much.

[@hopegoerner7395]

Thank you both of you!

[@estherriddle3879]

Upload more! This is a great video. I too have MS and want to train my own balance/mobility service dog.

[@freija5671]

Thank you very much for this.. the best information I have found

[@sabrinasadeghian5950]

Thank you. That was very helpful and inspiring

[@3RK9Obedience]

Wonderful video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge sir!

[@poposatticdesoto3868]

Thank you for this excellent informative video

[@tissue_issues710]

There are much better counterbalance harness out there. This harness is seriously lifting off the dog's back. It needs to be tighter, and you need a better harness in general. :)

[@animeobssesent101]

However this is a better and safer way for balance for both the person and the dog. Pull, don't press.

[@alexalove6243]

Wonderful video!!!

[@janisjoroledger391]

I understand this is old and he was doing the best with what he had. Prong collars are now illegal in some places because they are considered cruel. There is much better gear out there now. A martingale collar doesn’t matter which side it’s on if you need that kind of correction. A harness with a wider and longer chest pad is better for the dog too

[@Sandra-lu6zw]

Great video thankyou

[@dalepete2854]

Good video I find it useful to train my dogs right and left

[@imanewchick56]

Hey y'all most of you have trained a dog by now. I'm trying my girl right now. Something I have found helpful is using KZbin with sounds. I couldn't bring her out because covid hit and we were all in lockdown. Find videos on KZbin of sounds they will encounter in public. Play them all the time. Napping, when they eat and even when playing with you. This is called sound DESENSITIZATION. It gets the dog so bored and used to hearing those noises that when you encounter them in real life they are like ohh..... Meh whatever I've heard that. I did this for lightning storms and even fireworks. My dog just looks goes kewl and lays back down. There are many sound videos to look up. As soon as you get your pup or decide your going to go training start there. Start the volume on low and eventually go higher to the volume is at real life levels (or as close to it as possible).

[@rawrose8989]

Keepers hidden prong collars are absolutely amazing.they clip easy on/off . Plus you can take the prongs in and out if need be. Best investment I ever made. Also look at BLD mobility harnesses. They are amazing. Hope this helps God bless

[@ilovemyservicedog8862]

I believe that harness is not completely fitted right for that dog especially the way he’s pulling up on it there needs to be padding underneath the dog stomach to protect it. Some of the best Balance harnesses are ones that have padding for the dog and that usually have a fixed or slightly mobile handle they get that handle on that dog that forest is definitely not the right type.

[@tigertalks1567]

Get a handle that clips on the vest. It's about 6 inches and firm so you don't have to yank his vest up.

[@jollyroger2374]

Bridgeport Harnesses seem to be the best I can find and am ordering one for my Siberian Husky.

[@animeobssesent101]

@@jollyroger2374 I dont like Bridgeport just bc dogs tend to be injured with their gear.

[@deanngardyszewski7058]

Be sure to have your dogs joints tested prior to any mobility training

[@hgwilt1]

Hello my name is Hillary I have a mild cerebral palsy. We have a question for you where did you find the harness? I applied and got my service dog. I got him through a non-profit organization. And he's a yellow lab named Conner, we've been partnered ever since 2008.

[@poppydarling86]

Hi Hilary: Here's where I plan on getting my dog's harness: www.activedogs.com/product/2021/pulling-balance-harness/#.UwepnkJdWA8

[@allwerasking]

Where did you find that harness please?

[@varin409]

I am thinking about getting a dobermann do you think they might fit for this?

[@hannah09958]

They are very good for this x

[@susansadeghian7026]

yes a dobby with the right temperent and personality and 1 that is the right size. He needs to be at least half your size and have healthy bones and joints esp in his back, knees and shoulders and hips which can be determined with a ofa test done at a vets when they are about 2 yrs old. He or she can get hurt if used b4 than

[@tigertalks1567]

Or get a mobility harnass

[@animeobssesent101]

Still gotta train for it.

[@LanaBanana53]

I think the trainer can find a better harness - there is too much play in that handle, for helping with balance. I have used service dogs for counterbalance (that is actually what the dog is doing) from 1994 through 2012 with a break of a couple of years. Since 2012, I have been waiting for the right dog for me after letting my second service dog die peacefully and end his pain from an increasingly aggressive mast cell tumor.

[@lucythehorsegirl2052]

Elaine Elaine different vests work for different people, I know my sister works her dog naked because it's easier

[@sabrinawiltfong2851]

Bridgeport Equipment sells balance harnesses for a reasonable price

[@workingdog6511]

Thats not a balance harness but a bracing harness and should not be used in motion as it can tork the spine.

[@brainsmall]

@@workingdog6511 they have counterbalance harnesses with semi rigid flexible handles

[@oceanmoon2878]

Hi Hilary. The fellow in the video has the answer for you. He is at [e-mail] (same email as in the end titles of the video)

[@orange9258]

You look so familiar

[@newaygocounty7972]

video looked good but had no sound- my comp was not the problem

[@24nikita]

Quite honestly I think you`d get arround better on two walking sticks or a wheeld pusher. You have no problems with your arms or hands. Then the dog can have his freedom back as a pet.