Harness Tasks
Introduction
Working in harness enables service dogs to execute a variety of essential mobility tasks with precision and efficiency. Through these tasks, service dogs equipped with harnesses play a crucial role in enhancing the independence and quality of life for their handlers.
Examples of finished mobility tasks
Proprioception >
Lead/Guide >
Counterbalance >
Momentum Pull >
Pull-up (rise to stand) >
Body Block >
Brace* >
Wheelchair Pulling >
Proprioception spatial awareness
Assist with spatial orientation
- Light contact with dog through harness handle
- Similar to touching a wall or table to stabilize
- Primary way mobility dogs can help their partner
- Occurs with most harness skills where partner is on their feet
- The person can “feel the ground through the dog”
- Harness handle is typically soft and flexible, but may be stiff in order to stay upright
Lead/Guide
Light to moderate pull forward
- Tactile feedback from handle for communication
- Directional cues
- Indicate elevation change
- Take person to a desired place, such as an exit, door, chair, vehicle
- Avoid obstacles and hazards
- Refuse to continue if unsafe
- Dog is further forward avoid tripping on each other and to allow time to respond
- Harness handle is typically long and rigid, with a pivoting or flexible connection
Counterbalance
Dog acts as a counterweight
- Pull up on the handle
- Pull back on handle
- While standing
- While in motion
- Change in pressure cues dog to stop, pull forward, or lean against the direction of force to help person stabilize
- Dog’s mass does most of the work
Momentum Pull
Dog assists by pulling lightly
- Keeps the person moving forward
- Combination of counterbalance and leading
- Helps with gait stabilization
- Provides rhythm/cadence
- Can help conserve energy
- Handle facilitates feedback so dog and person can feel and respond to each others’ movement
- Light but constant tension on the handle
Pull-up
Dog pulls to help person stand up
- Dog leans into the harness to provide momentum and/or counterweight
- Person can pull themselves up from a seated position
Body Block
Dog blocks the person’s path
- Physically stops them from moving forward
- Dog turns to cross in front of the person and holds firm
- Dog may lean into handler, handler may reach down to place hands on dog’s back
Brace*
Downwards pressure*
- Can assist with maintaining balance to transfer to/from a seated position; on a step/curb without a railing; to get up from the ground
- Dog stands square and is prepared for added weight
- Harness handle is vertical and rigid, usually made of metal and are for vertical pressure only – Lift up or press straight down
- Apply no more than a few pounds of pressure (1–1.5 kgs)
- Bracing should be infrequent and minimal – not to support each step the person takes
- The person may lightly rest their hand on the handle while in motion but apply no force unless the dog is at a halt
- Bracing should be done with an appropriate harness; placing a hand directly on the dog concentrates the pressure to a very small area and may cause discomfort and raises the potential for injury
Many people think they need bracing but may be better served with counterbalance and momentum tasks
*Precautions for brace work
- Bracing must be done conscientiously, briefly, and rarely as this is a high impact task
- Person is responsible for most of the work of getting their feet under them and aligning themselves to rise; the dog’s job is to assist with maintaining balance
- Brace handles apply torque and force directly to the dog’s body and can have a leverage effect that amplifies the force
- Rigid metal handles are not recommended for people who:
- have a tremor/palsy or uncontrolled movement
- are prone to misuse a harness or their dog
- There shall be no pressure on rigid metal handle while dog is in motion, and no more than a few pounds of pressure (1–1.5 kgs)
- Never lean on a dog – They are not a cane/crutch/stick/frame
- Never pull back, pull to side, push forward, or twist/rotate a rigid metal handle
- Do not steer, control, or correct the dog with the handle
Check out the link below for different options other than downward pressure with Brace:
Bracing with Your Service Dog: A Guide to Safer Mobility Assistance
Wheelchair Pulling
May be done occasionally and for short amounts of time
- The person must control their own chair’s speed and direction
- Dog can reasonably do the following:
- Maintain momentum (on a straight, hard surface, little pressure is required)
- Help when wheels are stuck or over a bump (provide a little boost to help get out of a rut, for example)
- Assistance up a ramp or steep incline
- Pull should come from dog’s center, with the dog alongside the wheelchair (not out front like a cart horse)
- Dog must move in a straight line
- Avoid crab walking and/or leaning to the side (this indicates too much asymmetrical force is happening)
- NOT for:
- All day, frequent use
- Work a powerchair or SmartDrive can provide (remember a dog cannot substitute for any other modality)
How to Properly Use a Balance/Mobility Harness
Handles are for the Human!
- Harness handles are for communication, tactile feedback, and physical support
- NOT for control of the dog!
- Learn to use your harness correctly
- Use equipment according to how it is designed to be used
- Only use a harness made for the specific task(s) required
- Never use equipment contrary to the design or intention
- How to safely perform tasks
- Where to be positioned for each task
Continue to use a leash
- A harness does not replace a leash
- If control/management is needed, use the leash and collar
- Use of head halters or training collars are acceptable but are not a substitute for training the desired behaviors
Train the dog how to behave in the harness
- How to respond to physical cues such as
- a change in pressure on the handle
- the person’s movement or physiological changes
- Where they need to positioned for each task
- Use verbal cues for specific actions (forward, left, right, halt, back)
- How to respond to physical cues such as
Never correct, restrain, or steer a dog with a mobility harness
- Do not use the harness handle to force a dog forward, to halt, or into any position
Do not allow the dog to pull you off balance –
- Permitting inappropriate pulling will reinforce the wrong behavior
- If the dog is out of position, let go of the handle!
- Ask dog to get into the correct position
- Cue to dog where and how to move
Get help!
- Support from a qualified person is needed to observe and help refine both training and use of equipment
Additional detailed information can be found in BLD’s BAH/MSH Harness Information Booklet and BLD’s MSH Owner’s Manual