Make your dog's equipment work for you.
Equipment Adaptations
Everyone has their own abilities, and what works for one person may not work for another. This includes when working with an assistance dog. Here are some helpful equipment adaptations to give you ideas of what can be changed on your dog's equipment and what might work for you.
Leash clips | Collar buckles | Leash styles | Waste clean-up tools
All images are for example purposes only.
I do not endorse any specific brand, nor am I sponsored by any of the above brands. These images are purely for visual aid, used to enhance understanding of various styles of equipment available to you.
Leash Clips
Depending on your hand dexterity, standard clips on most dog leashes can be challenging to open. Test out which types of clips work best for you. A few options are presented below.
To test what works best for you, go to your local hardware store. They typically have a few different types you can try. Then find a leash with that type of clip. Alternatively, you may need to make it by adding the clip you like to the leash you like.
Standard Clip
This is the standard clip that most dog leashes have. You traditionally need the ability to pull down with your thumb to open the clasp.
Magic Latch
A Magic Latch uses magnets to attach and a dual pushing motion to detatch. If you are able to push forward with a finger and thumb, this device may be helpful for you.
Trigger Style
This type of clip is similar to the standard clip. However, this one has a larger area to place your thumb so it doesn't slip off as easily.
Carabiner
A carabiner style clip can be easier as other fingers can open the latch or it can be pressed onto the D ring of the collar to be attached.
Double Pinch
This style clip has a double pinch mechanism so you can pinch together with two fingers to open the clip.
Pinch Clip
This is another type of clip that you need to pinch with your fingers or press the D ring on the collar through. As this one has a lip for the D ring to rest on it can be easier than the carabiner but it has a smaller opening.
Collar Buckles
Depending on your hand dexterity and finger strength, standard clips on most dog collars can be challenging to open. Test out which types of buckles work best for you. A few options are presented below.
To test what works best for you, go to your local pet store. They typically have a few different types you can try.
Standard Pinch Buckle
This is the standard clip that most dog collars have. You traditionally need the ability to pinch together with thumn and forefinger. These clips often come in metal or plastic, so test which material is easier for you to open.
Buckle Clip
This buckle is like a standard belt buckle clip. This style needs more dexterity and precision to secure.
Martingale Collars
Martingale collars can have buckles or no buckles. Martingales are good for slipping the collar over the dog's head rather than buckling and buckling them.
Pinch Buckle
This is another style of pinch buckle. The part that you pinch on this buckle is smaller than a standard pinch buckle collar.
Leash Styles
Leashes come in many styles. Beyond the style element, you need to make sure that the leash you choose helps you maintain control of your dog. Depending on your balance and coordination, certain types of leashes may be easier or more difficult for you to use. Test out which types of leashes work best for you and your dog. A few options are presented below.
The great thing about leashes is that they typically come in different styles (flat vs round), thicknesses, materials, length, etc. Go to your local pet store to find what works well for you. Then, to get all the qualities in a leash you like, you may need to search online or have one custom-made for you.
Standard Leash
Standard leashes come in various lengths, thicknesses (flat vs round) and hand grip textures. Make sure to test out various types to see what works for you.
Cross-Body/Euro Leash
This type of leash is considered "hands-free," meaning that you don't need to hold the leash with your hand. However, you will need good core strength and balance if the dog were to pull.
Hand Leash
A hand leash is similar to a standard leash but instead of you holding the end of the leash, it wraps onto your hand like a glove. This is a good option if you also need to hold a cane or walker for example.
Waist Leash
This is another style of "hands-free" leash, meaning that you don't need to hold the leash with your hand. However, you will need good core strength and balance if the dog were to pull.
Retractable/Flexi Leash
This style of leash is generally NOT recommended for assistance dog handlers as you do not have good control over your dog when on this type of leash.
Leash Tips for Wheelchair Users
For power or electric wheelchair users, Cross-body/Euro leashes are often a great option. These leashes have a lot of extra clips or rings that can be attached to your wheelchair at various points, allowing the leash length to be longer (for toileting, retrieving, etc.) or shorter (while walking). I do not recommend wearing a cross-body leash, as you could be pulled out of your chair. Instead, attach it to your chair.
For manual wheelchair users, hand leashes can be a great option as they allow you to keep your hands free to propel yourself. Additionally, this can be safer than wrapping a leash around your wrist or body, as it can be easier to drop in an emergency.
Waste Clean-up
Cleaning up your dog's waste is not always an easy task. Depending on your abilities and limitations, picking up dog poo can often be challenging. Test out how you plan to pick up your dog's waste before getting a dog.
To figure out what works for you, determine
1. If you can reach the ground. If not, you will need a tool with some added length.
2. If you can you pinch a tool to open and close it.
3. If you can or need to use both hands to scoop it.
.png)
Hand Clean-up
Cleaning up your dog's waste by hand is the most common but not easy. To do this, place a plastic bag over your hand before picking up the poo.
Collapsible Pinch Clip
This waste clean up design requires that you can reach the ground and can pinch the clip to open and close the tool around the poo. It also allows you to add a bag for easy disposal
Pinch with Length
This waste clean up design adds extra length and requires that you can use hand grip strength to pinch the tool to open and close it around the poo.
Double Hand Scoop
This waste clean up design adds extra length but requires two hands to push the poo into the second bag for disposal.
.png)
Scissor Scoop
This waste clean up design adds extra length but requires two hands to collect the poo into the center to be disposed of.
Capes or Vests
Capes or vests, terms that are used interchangeably, visually indicate that your dog is an assistance dog (although not always required). There are many styles of capes/vests that organizations use and are on the market.
First, it is important to know what style of cape/vest your dog is most comfortable in. Then you need to make sure that you can easily and properly secure it on your dog. This often involves fastening it with clips, which you may need to adapt to make it easier for you to use. Some can use the same mechanisms mentioned for the collars above, as a bandana can attach to a collar to act as a cape/vest. This option is best for body-sensitive dogs.
Standard Buckle
This type of clip is most common. They typically come in plastic but sometimes also metal versions.
Magic Latch
A Magic Latch uses magnets to attach and a dual pushing motion to detatch. If you are able to push forward with a finger and thumb, this device may be helpful for you.
.png)
Velcro
Velcro can be added to the chest or belly strap of capes/vests. A tab at the end is helpful to make the velcro pieces easier to grab.
Tie
Some capes can be as simple as a bandana. These can be tied, slipped over the head or attached to any collar.
Treat Pouches
Many assistance dogs are very food motivated. Therefore, it can be beneficial to cary treats or their daily food around with you to use as a reward. Commonly, people do this by using a treat pouch. Treat pouches come in various styles so it's important to find one that works best for you. They commonly vary in their closure style and attachment points.
Closure styles: Treat pouches have various closure styles to keep the treats in. It is important to find one that will be easiest for you to reach into, get a treat out, and close.
Attachment points: Treat pouches can also be attached to different points of the body or your equipment. Therefore, you also need to determine whether you like one that attaches to your waistband, wraps around your waist, clips onto your pocket or you wear cross-body or secures to your equipment.
Tension closure
A tension closure requires some strength to open and will snap shut quickly when pressed. It does a good job of staying open for easy access to the treats and staying closed so treats don't accidentally spill out.
Velcro
A velcro closure can be tough to open quickly and can collect dog hair but it does a good job of keeping the pouch closed when you need it closed.
Magnetic
A magnetic closure can be great depending on the strength of the magnet. Often the pouch opens just by pressing your hand through the opening and will close itself after you have removed your hand.
Zipper
A zipper closure can be similar to using a fanny pack. They are not the quickest to open or close but will stay open and closed until you zip it.
.png)
Drawstring
A drawstring closure requires ability to pinch and push/pull the bead to open and close the pouch. These are good at staying open or closed.
Wraps around waist
A treat pouch that wraps around the waist can often be easily moved from one side of the body to the other. It is also secure, so you don't have to worry about it falling off.
Clips to pants
A treat pouch that clips to your pants is versatile in that it can clip to your waistband, pocket, or belt loop.
.png)
Cross-body
A cross-body treat pouch can keep the treats higher away from your dog but may have a higher chance of spilling if not closed.
All images are for example purposes only.
I do not endorse any specific brand, nor am I sponsored by any of the above brands. These images are purely for visual aid, used to enhance understanding of various styles of equipment available to you.