8
WHEELCHAIR USE
© 2011 Best Friend Mobility | www.bestfriendmobility.org | 503.575.9407
Introduction
Product Information
How to Measure
Parts List
Parts Identifi cation
Frame Assembly
Wheel Assembly
Wheelchair Use
Care and
Maintenance
Fitting the Dog
Troubleshooting
If your dog is completely non-weight bearing on the hind legs and will be using the leg straps,
then it is normal for the front legs to require some strengthening time for compensation of the
rear legs and full comfortable use of the Best Friend Mobility® wheelchair. Please allow about
2-weeks for full strengthening of the front limbs; you can strength train your dog with partial
weight bearing assist using a leash connected to the front harness.
Is you dog too weak to stay on his frotn legs while in the Best Friend Mobility®, from being
overweight or being inactive? You may need to attached a leash to the front harness to help
support his weight until your pet gets conditioned.
If your dog’s front legs do not get strong enough within a few short weeks, he may need
something other than what the Best Friend Mobility® can provide. Make sure your dog isn’t
always trying to lay down or not able to hold his own weight after a couplr of weeks. He may
even roll backwards, even with continued use. These are all signs that his front legs aren’t
strong enough to use the Best Friend Mobility®.
However, your dog may initially move backwards instead of forward in the Best Friend
Mobility®. This is an unfamiliar situation and your dog is “backing out.” Your dog will eventually
become comfortable and begin to move forward with some assurance and encouragement.
Get your Best Friend Mobility® wet! Your Best Friend Mobility® is mostly made of aluminum,
which will not rust. If you use the Best Friend Mobility® in salt water, rinse it off after use,
otherwise, getting the unit wet will not damage it. If you are near a beach, don’t forget to rinse
off the sand and dirt from moving parts of the Best Friend Mobility®.
If the traction on the heels of your dog’s Best Friend Mobility® are poor, there may be an easy
solution. You may want to check the tire pressure remembering to keep the pressure at slightly
below the required PSI. Make the wheels are also spinning freely.
If the wheels track to one side more than the other, it may simply be how your dog walks
naturally. You may notice his walk more due to his new wheelchair, however, he or she will get
used to the Best Friend Mobility® and be able to compenstate in due time. Also make sure that
your dog is centered from side to side and adjust straps if necessary.
Check your dog’s weight balance and height to see if the Best Friend Mobility® is suitable for
him or her to use (
See ‘How to Measure, page 3.
)
