6
www.WalkinPets.com
1. When starting this process we suggest that you use your pet's
favorite treats to reward your pet for walking forward. You won’t
need to keep using these treats every day, just in the beginning
of the training process. A hungry pet is a motivated pet! Work
witth your pet before you have fed him/her a meal. She/he will be
more eager to pay attention and earn the food reward if she/he is
hungry.
2. Do not immediately put your pet in the wheelchair. Assemble the
wheelchair and leave it in an area where your pet can see, smell,
and touch it.
3. Once your pet is comfortable near the wheelchair, put the front
harness on and leave him/her alone for a while. Let your pet get
used to the feeling of the straps.
4. When your pet is comfortable, try putting him/her in the leg ring
support system and attach the front harness to the wheelchair.
Give him/her a treat for positive association.
5. After your pet is in the wheelchair, hold the food reward right at
his/her nose level. Feed several pieces. Then you can step one
foot backwards, again holding the food reward in front of you.
She/he should then walk toward you to get the treat. Before you
know it, she/he is walking in his Walkin’ Wheels
®
! Again, give a
treat and positive praise.
6. Work in very short (5-10) minute sessions, several times a day. Give
your pet rest periods between each session.
Note:
Keep in control of your pet’s movement at first. Keep your pet in
a clear area and on a short leash. If your pet does become frightened,
then disconnect the harness from the wheelchair and try again later.
Until your pet gets used to the Walkin’ Wheels
®
, limit the amount
of time spent in it. The Walkin’ Wheels
®
is designed to allow your
pet to get exercise and physical therapy. Pets cannot lie down in
the wheelchair, but will be able to urinate and defecate while in the
wheelchair. Start with short periods and increase slowly. Make sure
you don’t overdo it the first day.
