Mobility Work
Mobility work is a broad category of service dog work in which the service dog is trained to safely assist his handler with balance and movement while the handler is standing or walking or changing positions. Some people include wheelchair work in the category of mobility, but this post will only cover aspects of wheelchair work that relate to mobility. Like with all types of service dog work, each team does some things the same and some things differently, doing what is best for mitigating the disability of the handler and ensuring the safety of the dog.
A few notes of caution/rules for using a dog for mobility work. Mobility work is strenuous. It puts stress on joints, muscles and ligaments. It also has an element of danger to it. Doing mobility work in the wrong way can severely injure or cripple a dog. It may seem fine at first, but the strain of doing mobility work on a dog that is not fit for it can cause long term lasting problems. At the bare minimum for light work a dog should be over 55lbs. For heavy work 65lbs. There are some variations based on the type of dog and the height and weight of the handler as well as the type of equipment used. Heavier or taller handlers should use larger dogs. Dogs that are used for mobility should be fully adult (over two years old), be conditioned, and have passed medical evaluation of hips, knees and elbows. They should also be structurally sound with a strong, level back, be able to stand squarely without turn in or out of feet, and move smoothly with good extension.
A dog is not a cane. Applying momentary downward pressure on a dog that is bracing in order to stand up or sit down, transfer into or out of a wheelchair, get up off the ground or regain your balance is fine, but applying downward pressure on a moving dog can cause severe harm. What follows is a video of Billy helping me up from the ground with a bit of an error.
Notice that I give the cue to "Brace" but I did not wait for him to position himself correctly (all four feet square) so that he needed to take a step into me to correct his balance. Total user error and the wrong way to use a dog to get up from the ground. The correct way is to move the dog into position, ensure the dog is standing square and 'bracing' or tensing his muscles to prepare, and then only apply enough downward pressure to help yourself up. You should spread the pressure out across the dog by placing one hand on the withers, directly behind the shoulder blades and one hand on the rump. Different teams may do this differently depending on the limitations of the handler. The important safety components are the same though. The dog should be standing squarely and not move at all during the procedure and the handler should spread the downward pressure across the dog's frame.
Broken down, there are a few components of mobility work that I will be talking about. Balance, counter-balance, bracing, orientation, and forward momentum. Balance work is used when the handler has trouble maintaining balance while moving or standing still. The dog is trained to freeze and remain rock-steady when the handler begins to sway to allow the handler to regain his or her balance. Counter-balance work requires the dog to lean into the harness against the pull of the handler, so when I sway right, my dog would lean left. Counter-balance can be done while standing still or while moving. The handler pulls up and away from the dog and uses a soft handle. Bracing we have already started to cover. It is like balance, but it is cued by the handler for use when getting up off the ground, changing positions or reaching for something high or low. Orientation is a part of balance work, when the handler becomes disoriented, the dog freezes and remains in place while the handler reorients up/down left/right front/back. It can also be a part of guide work, but we won't get into that here. The final component I want to cover is forward momentum. The dog pulls into the harness, providing a constant steady forward thrust to help the handler orient to the environment and maintain balance.
There are various type of gear that are used in mobility work depending on what functions the team focuses on most. Harnesses can have a rigid fixed handle, soft fixed handle, rigid non-fixed handle or soft non-fixed handle. Handles are either perpendicular to the spine or parallel. A handle that is parallel to the spine provides less torsion on the structure of the dog during balance work but causes more direct pressure on the spine during brace work. A handle that is perpendicular to the spine is more common, and spreads direct pressure out more, but care must be taken for the safety and health of the dog.
Handles that are parallel to the spine.
Handles that are parallel to the spine can be used for heavy or light balance work but generally don't work well for forward momentum. When used for bracing, these handles do not spread direct pressure out well and concentrate it on the spine, over time this can lead to problems.
A Rigid Handle Harness
A rigid fixed handle is most often used for heavy mobility work. It is perhaps the most dangerous handle to use, particularly if it is perpendicular to the spine. Even when used safely it acts as a lever, putting stress and torsion on the dog's structure. This is the handle that Billy and I use. Some safety notes. The longer the handle, the more torsion and stress you are applying to the dog with each small movement. If you are using a dog with this type of handle, the shorter the handle the better. For reference the harness handle pictured is set at 5.5 inches. I really don't like seeing them any higher than 7 inches, but the shorter the better. (I take that measurement from the center of the dog's back to the center of the handle.) It should never be used for strong forward momentum or for counter balance.
A Soft Fixed Handle
A soft fixed handle is most often used for light mobility work. It can be safely used for most types of balance work and forward momentum. Again it is best for both dog and handler if the handle is on the short side, though there isn't as much risk.
A Soft Non-Fixed Handle (the handle with clips on either side in the center of the harness)
A soft non-fixed can be used for light mobility, forward momentum, counter balance and orientation.
A Rigid Non-Fixed Handle
A rigid non-fixed handle is basically the same type of harness and handle that a guide dog would use. This can be used for forward momentum and orientation work, but isn't useful for any type of balance work. It provides the best biofeedback to the handler of all the types of handle I have mentioned here, meaning that the handler can sense through the handle the minute movements of the dog and even gain information about the surface the dog is moving over.
Mobility work isn't just about the harness, handle and safety factors. A good mobility team works together in harmony moving through crowds and across various surfaces as a single unit. This requires excellent training for both members of the team as well as excellent communication. Most teams use a combination of verbal cues, hand signal and harness cues to communicate. Each team has their own working position, which is the place the dog is trained to stay in relation to the handler. A dog who primarily does forward momentum work might work mostly in front of the handler, while a dog that does primarily balance work might work closer with his shoulders even with his handler. The dog might work on the left or the right, or switch back and forth as the handler needs. The actions and terms below are written as if the dog is working on the left side. They are reversed for dogs that work on the right.
Common Cues
Verbal Cue
Hand Signal
Harness Cue
Action
Forward/Walk on
Sweep hand in a forward direction
Push forward gently on handle
Walk forward at a normal speed, maintaining working position
Get up/Hurry
Sweep hand in a forward direction while moving
Push forward gently on handle while moving
Move forward faster/pull
Easy/Slow
-
Tap/jiggle harness handle
Slow down, walk slower while maintaining working position
Back
Bring hand in a sweep back towards chest
Pull gently backward on harness
Move backward slowly, maintaining working position
Left
Sweep hand left
Slight tug left
Prepare for and execute a left turn, maintaining working position. (Dog shortens stride and pivots on front foot.)
Right
Sweep hand right
Slight tug right
Prepare for and execute a right turn, maintaining working position. (Dog lengthens stride and pivots around handler.)
Turn/Pivot/About Right
-
-
Turn completely around (180 degrees), to the right, maintaining working position. (I have to take a step back with my right foot and pivot on my left foot while my dog pivots around me)
Turn/Pivot/About Left
-
-
Turn completely around (180 degrees), to the left, maintaining working position. (Halt, step back and pivot on front feet)
Come'round/Here/Heel
Pat hip
-
Return to working position
Go Through/Walk on
Release harness and gesture forward
-
Walk forward between me and something else, moving out of working position. Turn back to me when clear of object
Post
-
-
Take a few steps backward, pivoting around me. Harness handle by left hand and rump by right, standing behind me.
Front
-
-
Move forward of working position, standing at a diagonal with head by right hip, harness handle in front of my left hip.
Stand/Wait
-
-
Stand still and stay until released, even if I walk away.
Brace
-
Any sudden movement of the harness
Stand four square and tense muscles. Prepared to help handler stand up, sit down, bend over, reach or maintain balance and orientation.
And finally Stairs. Different teams tackle the stairs differently. Some teams have trained the dog to stop at the first up or down step or curbs until the handler instructs the dog to move forward. Some teams move together up or down stairs, some teams take each step one at a time. Still other teams have the dog take each step first, while in some teams the handler take the step first. Some teams do both, one for going up, the other for going down.
Each team will find what works for them, keeping in mind the disability and ability of the handler as well as the safety and well being of the dog.
A few notes of caution/rules for using a dog for mobility work. Mobility work is strenuous. It puts stress on joints, muscles and ligaments. It also has an element of danger to it. Doing mobility work in the wrong way can severely injure or cripple a dog. It may seem fine at first, but the strain of doing mobility work on a dog that is not fit for it can cause long term lasting problems. At the bare minimum for light work a dog should be over 55lbs. For heavy work 65lbs. There are some variations based on the type of dog and the height and weight of the handler as well as the type of equipment used. Heavier or taller handlers should use larger dogs. Dogs that are used for mobility should be fully adult (over two years old), be conditioned, and have passed medical evaluation of hips, knees and elbows. They should also be structurally sound with a strong, level back, be able to stand squarely without turn in or out of feet, and move smoothly with good extension.
A dog is not a cane. Applying momentary downward pressure on a dog that is bracing in order to stand up or sit down, transfer into or out of a wheelchair, get up off the ground or regain your balance is fine, but applying downward pressure on a moving dog can cause severe harm. What follows is a video of Billy helping me up from the ground with a bit of an error.
Click to viewNotice that I give the cue to "Brace" but I did not wait for him to position himself correctly (all four feet square) so that he needed to take a step into me to correct his balance. Total user error and the wrong way to use a dog to get up from the ground. The correct way is to move the dog into position, ensure the dog is standing square and 'bracing' or tensing his muscles to prepare, and then only apply enough downward pressure to help yourself up. You should spread the pressure out across the dog by placing one hand on the withers, directly behind the shoulder blades and one hand on the rump. Different teams may do this differently depending on the limitations of the handler. The important safety components are the same though. The dog should be standing squarely and not move at all during the procedure and the handler should spread the downward pressure across the dog's frame.
Broken down, there are a few components of mobility work that I will be talking about. Balance, counter-balance, bracing, orientation, and forward momentum. Balance work is used when the handler has trouble maintaining balance while moving or standing still. The dog is trained to freeze and remain rock-steady when the handler begins to sway to allow the handler to regain his or her balance. Counter-balance work requires the dog to lean into the harness against the pull of the handler, so when I sway right, my dog would lean left. Counter-balance can be done while standing still or while moving. The handler pulls up and away from the dog and uses a soft handle. Bracing we have already started to cover. It is like balance, but it is cued by the handler for use when getting up off the ground, changing positions or reaching for something high or low. Orientation is a part of balance work, when the handler becomes disoriented, the dog freezes and remains in place while the handler reorients up/down left/right front/back. It can also be a part of guide work, but we won't get into that here. The final component I want to cover is forward momentum. The dog pulls into the harness, providing a constant steady forward thrust to help the handler orient to the environment and maintain balance.
There are various type of gear that are used in mobility work depending on what functions the team focuses on most. Harnesses can have a rigid fixed handle, soft fixed handle, rigid non-fixed handle or soft non-fixed handle. Handles are either perpendicular to the spine or parallel. A handle that is parallel to the spine provides less torsion on the structure of the dog during balance work but causes more direct pressure on the spine during brace work. A handle that is perpendicular to the spine is more common, and spreads direct pressure out more, but care must be taken for the safety and health of the dog.
Handles that are parallel to the spine.
Handles that are parallel to the spine can be used for heavy or light balance work but generally don't work well for forward momentum. When used for bracing, these handles do not spread direct pressure out well and concentrate it on the spine, over time this can lead to problems.
A Rigid Handle Harness
A rigid fixed handle is most often used for heavy mobility work. It is perhaps the most dangerous handle to use, particularly if it is perpendicular to the spine. Even when used safely it acts as a lever, putting stress and torsion on the dog's structure. This is the handle that Billy and I use. Some safety notes. The longer the handle, the more torsion and stress you are applying to the dog with each small movement. If you are using a dog with this type of handle, the shorter the handle the better. For reference the harness handle pictured is set at 5.5 inches. I really don't like seeing them any higher than 7 inches, but the shorter the better. (I take that measurement from the center of the dog's back to the center of the handle.) It should never be used for strong forward momentum or for counter balance.
A Soft Fixed Handle
A soft fixed handle is most often used for light mobility work. It can be safely used for most types of balance work and forward momentum. Again it is best for both dog and handler if the handle is on the short side, though there isn't as much risk.
A Soft Non-Fixed Handle (the handle with clips on either side in the center of the harness)
A soft non-fixed can be used for light mobility, forward momentum, counter balance and orientation.
A Rigid Non-Fixed Handle
A rigid non-fixed handle is basically the same type of harness and handle that a guide dog would use. This can be used for forward momentum and orientation work, but isn't useful for any type of balance work. It provides the best biofeedback to the handler of all the types of handle I have mentioned here, meaning that the handler can sense through the handle the minute movements of the dog and even gain information about the surface the dog is moving over.
Mobility work isn't just about the harness, handle and safety factors. A good mobility team works together in harmony moving through crowds and across various surfaces as a single unit. This requires excellent training for both members of the team as well as excellent communication. Most teams use a combination of verbal cues, hand signal and harness cues to communicate. Each team has their own working position, which is the place the dog is trained to stay in relation to the handler. A dog who primarily does forward momentum work might work mostly in front of the handler, while a dog that does primarily balance work might work closer with his shoulders even with his handler. The dog might work on the left or the right, or switch back and forth as the handler needs. The actions and terms below are written as if the dog is working on the left side. They are reversed for dogs that work on the right.
Common Cues
Verbal Cue
Hand Signal
Harness Cue
Action
Forward/Walk on
Sweep hand in a forward direction
Push forward gently on handle
Walk forward at a normal speed, maintaining working position
Get up/Hurry
Sweep hand in a forward direction while moving
Push forward gently on handle while moving
Move forward faster/pull
Easy/Slow
-
Tap/jiggle harness handle
Slow down, walk slower while maintaining working position
Back
Bring hand in a sweep back towards chest
Pull gently backward on harness
Move backward slowly, maintaining working position
Left
Sweep hand left
Slight tug left
Prepare for and execute a left turn, maintaining working position. (Dog shortens stride and pivots on front foot.)
Right
Sweep hand right
Slight tug right
Prepare for and execute a right turn, maintaining working position. (Dog lengthens stride and pivots around handler.)
Turn/Pivot/About Right
-
-
Turn completely around (180 degrees), to the right, maintaining working position. (I have to take a step back with my right foot and pivot on my left foot while my dog pivots around me)
Turn/Pivot/About Left
-
-
Turn completely around (180 degrees), to the left, maintaining working position. (Halt, step back and pivot on front feet)
Come'round/Here/Heel
Pat hip
-
Return to working position
Go Through/Walk on
Release harness and gesture forward
-
Walk forward between me and something else, moving out of working position. Turn back to me when clear of object
Post
-
-
Take a few steps backward, pivoting around me. Harness handle by left hand and rump by right, standing behind me.
Front
-
-
Move forward of working position, standing at a diagonal with head by right hip, harness handle in front of my left hip.
Stand/Wait
-
-
Stand still and stay until released, even if I walk away.
Brace
-
Any sudden movement of the harness
Stand four square and tense muscles. Prepared to help handler stand up, sit down, bend over, reach or maintain balance and orientation.
And finally Stairs. Different teams tackle the stairs differently. Some teams have trained the dog to stop at the first up or down step or curbs until the handler instructs the dog to move forward. Some teams move together up or down stairs, some teams take each step one at a time. Still other teams have the dog take each step first, while in some teams the handler take the step first. Some teams do both, one for going up, the other for going down.
Each team will find what works for them, keeping in mind the disability and ability of the handler as well as the safety and well being of the dog.