(VICT) Introducing the Toileting Harness
- From: "Ann Edie" <annedie@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 16 Sep 2007 01:02:48 -0400
Below is a plan for introducing the toileting harness to a dog. I sent this
post to another list last March in response to a question. Please do let me
know if points are unclear, or if something does not work, or you just have a
better way of doing it.
------
Clicker Lesson Plan: Introducing Your Dog to the Use of the Toileting Harness
I know a few people who have used the relieving harness with their dogs, mostly
for reasons of easier, more efficient clean up. They have had good success by
introducing the new equipment to the dog in a systematic and positive way.
1. At first, I would just let the dog sniff the new harness, and I would click
and treat each time he does this. Repeat this several times, first inside your
house, then outside, in the place where you regularly relieve your dog.
2. Then I would just drape the harness over the dog's back, again first in the
house and then in his relieving place, and click and reward, for his acceptance
of the harness.
3. Once he indicates that he understands that the harness is a good thing and
that accepting it earns him treats, then I would move on to loosely buckling
the harness around his waist, without a bag attached, and reward him for
ignoring it for a few seconds. I would gradually fasten the harness so that it
fits more snugly, and gradually lengthen the time he wears the harness before
giving him the reward, until he can comfortably wear just the harness for long
enough to relieve himself.
4. Then I would begin putting the harness on the dog--again without bag
attached--before taking him out to relieve, and leaving it on him while he
relieves. When he relieves himself while wearing the harness, I would make a
fuss over him and give him a special treat.
I would repeat this several times. At some point in this process, the harness
itself will become part of the cue that tells your dog that it is time to
relieve himself, which may make relieving time a quicker, more efficient
process.
5. Once he is accepting the harness, I would do some desensitization to the
type of plastic bags that you will be using. First I might just have the
handles of a bag around my wrist as I take the dog out to relieve, so that he
gets used to the sound of the bag rustling and flapping around.
6. Then I might run the bag over his back, and click and treat for his
accepting and ignoring it.
7. After several repetitions of this, I might put the harness on the dog and
attach the bag to the top hooks and just let it hang there while he relieves
himself.
8. Then I would do the same thing, but also put his tail through the handle of
the bag which I clip to the top of the harness.
During all this introductory process, you will need to continue picking up
after your dog as you always have.
9. Once he is comfortable relieving with the bag attached to the top of the
harness, then I would attach the bag to the bottom and the top of the harness,
as it is meant to be used, and let him walk around and find his place to
relieve as usual. Reward successful relieving with the harness on, at first
with praise and treats, and later with praise and pats.
After a systematic introduction, the relieving harness will probably become
just part of the dog's regular "wardrobe", and he will think no more of it than
he does of his collar or leash.
You might not have to go through all the steps outlined above with your dog.
Guide dogs in general are not too body sensitive, after all, they have to be
comfortable wearing a guide harness, leash, collar (or two,) etc. Many of them
have also worn a cape when they were puppies. So if your dog seems unconcerned
about the harness after a brief introduction, you could try skipping a step or
two. But if he seems concerned or refuses to walk or to do his business with
the harness on, then you know that he needs the task broken down into more
small steps to understand what you want him to do.
As always, when we introduce new equipment to our animals, we want to be sure
to make the new experience a very positive thing.
As for the problem of the dog urinating on the bag, the people who use the
relieving harness usually let the dog urinate before they put on the harness,
so that the problem will be avoided.
Hope this helps. I'm sure Julie J., who sells the harnesses, can answer any
questions you may have about how it can be used and how to train your dog to
accept it. But feel free to contact me on or off list, too.
Best,
Ann
e-mail: annedie@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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