10 Simple Ways to Train Your Dog to Become A Mobility Assistant

Caring for elderly, sick, and people with mobility challenges can be overwhelming. They often feel helpless because they are dependent on round-the-clock human services. However, a furry friend can provide valuable assistance. Dogs are excellent mobility service animals when adequately trained. Here are ten simple techniques to train your dog to become a furry mobility assistant.
Playing Fetch

Teaching your dog to fetch objects on command is the simplest skill for mobility assistance. Start with easy fetch games using their favorite toy and gradually progress to retrieving specific objects like a remote or keys. Doing this ensures your dog can help pick up dropped items, reducing the need for you to bend down or strain to reach items.
Tug-of-War

Playing fun tug-of-war games with a sturdy rope toy can teach your dog to pull with controlled force. This game can be adapted to train your dog to open drawers. Consistently reinforce and teach steady pulling to ensure safety, and watch them use this skill in mobility services, such as pulling a wheelchair to a bedside.
Button Tricks

Buying or modifying your dog feeder to include a trigger button can train your dog to press it with its nose or paw for a reward. Starting as a ‘food-for-work’ task, the need for treats gradually reduces as the dog learns the behavior. This can help your dog operate automatic doors, light switches, or even alarm systems.
Direction drills

Directive games, such as walking your dog beside you on a short leash, can enhance its stability skills. These exercises help your dog learn to provide balance and prevent falls. Start by walking slowly, making deliberate turns, and practicing stops. Reward your dog for maintaining a steady pace and staying close by your side to encourage it to maintain balance in all situations.
Lifting challenges

Introduce your dog to carrying lightweight items in its mouth, beginning with soft objects like plush toys. Gradually increase the weight and complexity of the items it carries, such as bags or small grocery bags. Soon enough, your dog would get the hang of helping pick up clothes on the floor or even handing you your cane.
Obstacle Adventures

Set up an obstacle course with cones, tunnels, and low jumps to teach your dog to navigate around objects. Use positive reinforcement to guide them through the course. The upside is that your dog will learn how to help you safely maneuver around obstacles in various environments or even work around various obstacles to get to you in times of need.
Tippy toes

Gradually condition your dog to stand on its hind legs and reach high surfaces or objects by using treats to encourage it to stand up. Guide it to reach higher by placing treats or toys on increasingly elevated surfaces. Doing this consistently teaches it to help retrieve items out of reach, and voila! You can have them bring your pill boxes from the countertops.
Bark Programming

Role-play with your dog to bark and seek out another person when you give a specific command or give a specific sign. Use treats and praise to reinforce accurate barks and use the third party to dramatize your dog, alerting others if you’re in distress or need human assistance.
Pushing Play

Staging activities with a lightweight box, such as having your dog push it to specific spots, can teach your dog to use its snout to move objects. When the item is in the specified position, reward it with treats and praise. This skill can enable your dog to adjust chairs so that you can sit at tables.
Calm Composure Challenges

Expose your dog to various public places and practice obedience exercises in these settings. Provide rewards for maintaining calm and focus despite distractions. Mastering this will guarantee that your dog is focused on assisting you anywhere, whether in busy stores or peaceful parks.