Types of mobility dogs

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Defining “Mobility”

Mobility is the ability to move freely. There are many ways a service/assistance dog can assist their partner with mobility so they can live independent and fulfilling lives. MDRG’s focus is on the third type: balance and stability.

The types of Mobility Dogs

Dog Guides or Guide Dogs

Dogs can provide greater mobility for people with vision impairment. Dogs that guide people with blindness provide tactile feedback to communicate direction, indicate steps or curbs, and otherwise avoid obstacles to keep their partner safe.

Fun fact! Dog guides may also be referred to as: Seeing Eye Dogs, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Leader Dogs. These titles refer to the name of the program that trained and provided the dog.

Service Dogs or Assistance Dogs

Service or assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities can help people with mobility in a variety of ways. For example, dogs that assist people in wheelchairs with their limited mobility can carry things, open doors, pull a wheelchair, or retrieve objects out of reach.

The terms Service Dogs and Assistance Dogs are generally interchangeable, and may vary depending on where you live. In the USA, “service dog” is the term used in the American’s with Disabilities Act that defines a person’s rights to public access. In other regions, “service dog” may refer to police or military K-9s, while “assistance dogs” help the disabled.

Mobility Assistance Dogs

AKA Balance/Support/Walker Dogs. Mobility Dogs are service dogs that provide balance and stability assistance to help people with balance or gait impairment to walk more efficiently. Mobility assistance tasks can include helping someone stand up from a chair, get up from the ground, or allow someone to maintain their balance to prevent falls.

Reasonable Expectations

A dog can assist someone with maintaining their balance; a dog cannot replace durable medical equipment such as a cane, crutch, walker, wheelchair, or blood sugar, heart rate, oxygen monitors, etc.
No dog is built for weight bearing or carrying heavy loads; dogs are not cart ponies or pack mules
Logically, the bigger the dog, the more work they can perform (physics); Care should be taken to minimize the pressure or load that is placed on a dog
Consult the person’s medical team to determine what is best for them and their treatment plan – physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, etc.
A service dog should increase a person’s functionality, not contribute to decline; don’t ask a dog to perform tasks they are able to do themselves

Characteristics of a good mobility dog

Meets the high behavioral standards required of a service dog

Sound temperament, good resilience
Appropriate behavior in public settings
Willing to think through problems, make decisions, and/or even refuse a cue if appropriate
Joyful when working

Physically sound, excellent health

Good confirmation and structure, good angulation
Absence of orthopedic or structural issues
Positive response to tactile stimulus and pressure
A dog that naturally seeks contact and leans into pressure is preferred
Stands steady; comfortable and willing to stand for long periods

A large dog with good confirmation and angulation*

Normal to excellent orthopedics – see the guidelines document for more details
- hips, elbows, spine, etc.
- *Chris Zink DVM PhD, DACVP ,DACVSMR, CCRT, CVSMT, CVA: *Working Dog Structure: Evaluation and Relationship to Function

Annual Veterinary Screening and Preventatives

CBC
Vector panel
Urinalysis
Fecal DX profile
Heartworm testing
Dental

* A dog trained to retrieve or assist in the manipulation or maneuvering of objects that will vary weight, texture etc. could most definitely be negatively impacted by a deformed jaw, significant over/under bite, or missing teeth.

Annual wellness examination requirements should also include:

Heartworm testing, vaccinations or titers, CBC, vector panels, dental care etc.

Learn More

Raising a Puppy?

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Risk Factors Associated with the Development of Hip Dysplasia

Avoid early spay / neuter**

gonad hormones necessary for normal growth
various joint issues and cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears have been linked to neutering in numerous studies

Chris Zink DVM PhD, DACVP ,DACVSMR, CCRT, CVSMT, CVA: *Working Dog Structure: Evaluation and Relationship to Function

**Spay/Neuter stats

Body Sensitivity

Harness aversion is a major issue for guide dogs and a frequent issue with any dog that works in a harness
Enjoys physical touch/tactile stimulus
Naturally leans into pressure; seeks physical contact
Responds favorably to objects on their body (vest, harness)
Counters hand pressing on their body
Body sensitivity be a deal breaker
Innate, how the dog is wired
Temperament tests evaluate tactile response

Body Sensitivity Resources

Early socialization Project
GDBART Puppy Test, 7.5-8 weeks old
The Guide Dog Behavioral Response Assessment Puppy Test (GDBART Puppy Test) best used when the puppies are around the age of 7.5 to 8 weeks; complete sample video; GDBart Puppy Test video at body sensitivity component The Guide Dog Behavioral Response Assessment Test (GDBART) best used at the point an adult dog enters training and 10 months of age or older
Harness Handle On Back Sensitivity Body Sensitivity To Object Contact
www.iwdr.org/master-knowledge-base/13-harness-handle-on-back-sensitivity/

Size Ratio “rule of thumb”

Dog is at least 50% of partner’s weight for heavy assistance where bracing is performed (e.g., a person that weighs 150 pounds or less partnered with a dog that weighs 75 pounds or more
No research or source to cite
Err on the conservative side in the dog’s best interest
Many factors to consider; people have varying proportions
Each partnership is unique