I am interested in knowing if anyone has a dog that is particularly good with people who have problems walking. I have ataxia but am still able to walk with assistance (walking sticks, holding on to an arm). I would want a calm dog by nature that would not run off while on leash. Would anyone know if certain breeds of dogs are trained for walking with individuals who are unsteady?
Thank You!
Molly
Most guide dogs are Labradors so have to have that temperament. Over 40 years I had 7 on and off - all very calm
Jean
I have also had Labradors for 30 years. They can be boisterous when young.
I also found that as time went on, I was afraid that I was going to fall over the dog, if he got in my way when I was moving around the house.
Labradors are lovely but if I were to get another dog, as I am now, I would choose a smaller dog.
It is also possible to get assistance dogs but not sure whether Ataxians qualify assistancedogs.org.uk
well you can't expect a dog to know what it's not aupposed to do until you train iy a little. Try the RSPCA
We have always had Staffordshire Bull Terriers, but you have to train dogs to be calm, I doubt “Staffies” would be suitable as an assistance dog.
Our Sasha is nearly fourteen!
We had Samoyeds before I got Ataxia lovely calm and loving dogs but also big. We now have a west highland terrier and a jack russel both of which are lovely small dogs but I would suggest you googled various breeds and whatever dog you buy will have to be trained which can be a problem with Ataxia.
Good luck and enjoy the new member of your family
We down size from a English Bull Terrier after he passed away to a Yorkshire Terrier.
What a great breed they are.
Very calm and easy to train walks of the lead no problem and responds to all my commands.
We have a boxer dog and he is not the one u want to take for a walk for support. He was trained but there is not a chance I can walk with him without hubby support.
After many years of coming across many breeds of dogs I found there to be quite a difference in temperament between young, untrained dogs and older, trained dogs. Also I found there to be is a big difference in temperament between black, yellow and chocolate coloured Labradors. I found the black ones to be the quietest and the chocolate coloured ones to be very active. It is also important to see the temperament and intelligence of the parents of your dog. But training is most important.
Thank you for all your helpful comments and suggestions! I was looking online yesterday and found a website that trains dogs for people with balance issues. They feel a Great Dane is best because of its size. They stay right at your side and match your pace, and is trained to maneuver if you start to fall. The Great Dane is probably a good animal for some but I don’t know if I could afford to feed it!! ...and to clean up after it 🥴Anyway, I have more searching to do. Have a great day!
Don’t forget a dog may live for 15 years. During that time, you may deteriorate, go into hospital etc. Can you get to a vet easily in an emergency? Or train a puppy? Or pick up poo? Leads round ankles, tripping over moving dogs, can be a challenge for someone with Ataxia.
Why not try a site like ‘Borrow My Doggy’ first to see how you get on? Dog owners and people willing to walk and look after their dog are matched, and you can choose to have a dog for an hour or a day or a weekend etc, whatever you want. No money is involved. I ‘borrowed’ a lovely Cockapoo, who was car trained too, but I can’t manage now. It gives you a chance to ‘try before you buy’.
I would personally say you should resist owning a dog now, as I have done. But if you insist, maybe a small, well trained, quiet and obedient rescue or assistance dog would be best, not excitable or strong eg a Yorkie or a ‘sausage dog.’ Apparently there will be a lot of dogs for rehoming after the pandemic, though they may not have had the best start in life!
Good luck, and take your time. It’s a big decision!
I don't think it matters if you have ataxia it only makes a difference if you have a disability, if you look on a website for dogs for the disabled I think you can ask questions. They usually use labrador retriever because they are easier to train. They can be trained to unload your washing machine and other assistance. Ì did have their numbers I've thought about it myself but not gone any further as I've got two cats, and they wouldn't accept a dog. It's worth speaking to them, they train them through the difficult although cute puppy stage, it can take along time to match you with the right dog and train ìt. So it's worth contacting them soon. I knew a chap that used to train dogs for the disabled, he kept one and used to take her everywhere we had a coffee the once she payed down under the table, you wouldn't of known she was their. Carol☺
OK - everyone different needs, We have a rescue dog, Woody - mostly collie. Decided when our dog died, I would not cope with puppy - very old and deaf now needs grooming regularly- need help now.
Dogs great but he had problems - if older can ask kennels and return if does not work out for you x
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