By Jackie Murphy G. Dip AAB / A. Dip AAB (Canine) / MISAP (Beh) / MEST (QTLS)
Every dog is different
Dogs come in different breeds, shapes, sizes and ages, with different personalities, experiences and abilities. Some dogs may also live with a physical disability, sensory impairment, mobility difficulty or medical condition that affects how they experience the world.
At Specialist Dog Training Kent, we believe that being different shouldn’t automatically mean missing out.
Training, enrichment and fun activities don’t have to look exactly the same for every dog. With understanding, creativity and appropriate adaptations, dogs with different abilities can still learn, participate, build confidence and, most importantly, have fun.
Training the dog in front of us
There isn’t one training programme that will suit every dog.
Good training should consider the whole dog – their age, breed, personality, confidence, previous experiences, physical abilities and individual needs.
For some dogs, this means adapting an exercise rather than expecting them to complete it in the conventional way.
Instead of asking, “Can this dog do this activity?”, perhaps we should be asking:
“How can we adapt this activity so this dog can enjoy taking part?”
Sometimes the change needed is surprisingly small. Other times, we may need to approach things completely differently.
The important thing is recognising that every dog is an individual, and what works for one dog may not be appropriate for another.
Working alongside veterinary and physiotherapy advice
A dog’s welfare must always come first.
Where a dog has a medical condition, disability or mobility difficulty, training and activities should take account of any recommendations provided by their veterinary surgeon, veterinary physiotherapist or other relevant professional.
This is particularly important where there may be restrictions on movement, exercise duration or particular activities.
Training should complement the professional support the dog is receiving rather than working against it.
It may mean changing an exercise, reducing its physical demands, providing additional breaks or choosing a completely different activity.
For example, a dog with joint problems may benefit from gentle scent-based activities rather than exercises involving jumping, twisting or repeated physical movements.
The individual dog’s comfort, physical abilities and welfare should always be at the centre of these decisions.
Adapting activities rather than excluding the dog
Dogs don’t necessarily need to complete an activity in the traditional way to benefit from it.
For example, a piece of equipment normally associated with jumping might instead become part of a gentle confidence-building or targeting exercise, provided this is physically appropriate for the dog.
A tunnel might be explored slowly, investigated from the outside or replaced with another activity entirely, depending on the dog’s confidence and physical abilities.
An exercise involving lots of movement might be replaced with something that encourages the dog to use their nose or brain instead.
The equipment doesn’t dictate the activity – we can change the activity to suit the dog.
This doesn’t mean every dog should participate in every activity. Sometimes the most appropriate decision is to offer an alternative or recognise that a particular exercise simply isn’t suitable.
The important thing isn’t whether every dog completes the same exercise. It’s whether the activity is appropriate, comfortable and enjoyable for that individual dog.
Dogs with visual or hearing impairments
Communication can also be adapted to suit a dog’s individual abilities.
A dog with reduced vision may benefit from sound, scent, carefully introduced touch and predictable routines. Consistency in their environment can also help them feel more secure.
A dog with reduced hearing may learn through visual signals, body language or other appropriately introduced communication cues.
For example, a hand signal might replace a verbal cue for a dog with hearing loss, while a consistent verbal cue could help a dog with reduced vision understand what is being asked.
The principles of learning haven’t disappeared simply because the dog experiences the world differently.
We just need to think differently about how we communicate.
Giving dogs sufficient time to understand their environment, process information and make their own choices can also be incredibly important for building confidence.
Mobility doesn’t have to mean missing out
Dogs with reduced mobility may not be able to take part in some of the more physical activities enjoyed by other dogs.
But physical exercise is only one way of providing enrichment.
Dogs can gain enormous enjoyment from using their noses and brains. Scent-based activities, gentle problem-solving and appropriately adapted training can provide valuable mental stimulation without requiring strenuous physical exercise.
For example, a dog who cannot comfortably negotiate agility equipment might enjoy searching for treats in a suitable area, learning a simple targeting exercise or exploring different scents.
Sessions can also be adapted by adjusting their duration, the environment, the equipment and the type of activity offered.
Importantly, activities should be guided by the dog’s physical comfort and any relevant veterinary advice.
Sometimes slowing everything down allows us to discover abilities we might otherwise have overlooked.
Don’t forget our senior dogs
Adaptation isn’t limited to dogs with a recognised disability.
Our dogs’ abilities and needs can change as they get older.
A senior dog who once enjoyed energetic activities may eventually find certain movements more difficult. Changes in mobility, hearing, vision or stamina may also influence how they participate.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that training and enjoyable activities have to stop.
Instead, we can look at what that dog enjoys and is comfortable doing now.
Activities can become gentler, sessions shorter and mental enrichment can become a bigger part of the dog’s day.
For example, an older dog who previously enjoyed running around an agility course may now prefer a gentle scent-searching activity or a simple training game.
Any new or noticeable changes in a dog’s abilities should also be discussed with their veterinary surgeon rather than automatically attributed to ageing.
Older dogs can still learn, explore and have fun.
Age may change how they participate, but it doesn’t have to remove their opportunity to participate.
Emotional needs matter too
Not every barrier is physical.
Some dogs may be physically capable of completing an activity but lack the confidence to do it.
A nervous dog might be worried about unfamiliar equipment, surfaces or environments. Another dog may struggle when other dogs are nearby, while some simply need more time to process a new situation.
The answer shouldn’t be to force the dog to complete the activity.
Instead, we can change the environment, provide more space, make an exercise easier or find another way for the dog to participate.
For example, a nervous dog who is unsure about a tunnel might initially be rewarded for calmly looking towards it or choosing to investigate it from a comfortable distance.
There is no need to rush them through it.
Building confidence should be about creating positive experiences and allowing the dog to progress at a pace they can comfortably manage.
Success should be measured against that individual dog’s starting point, not against what another dog can do.
For one dog, walking confidently through a tunnel may be a small achievement. For another, choosing to approach unfamiliar equipment could represent an enormous step forward.
Both achievements deserve recognition.
Different doesn’t mean less
Perhaps one of the most important things to remember is that a disability or limitation doesn’t automatically define what a dog can enjoy or achieve.
A dog may do something differently.
They may need more time.
They may need an activity adapted.
They may communicate differently or require additional support.
And sometimes we may need to completely rethink what we originally planned.
That’s absolutely fine.
Inclusive dog training isn’t about expecting every dog to achieve the same outcome. Nor is it about encouraging a dog to participate in an activity that isn’t appropriate for them.
It’s about recognising their individual abilities, respecting their limitations and providing opportunities that are safe, comfortable and enjoyable.
Celebrating diversity at Specialist Dog Training Kent
At Specialist Dog Training, we work with the dog in front of us.
Whether we’re working on everyday training, behaviour, confidence, enrichment or simply enjoying some fun activities, our aim is to help each dog participate at a level appropriate for their individual needs.
Sometimes that means adapting an exercise, slowing things down or finding a completely different approach.
And sometimes the smallest achievement can represent the biggest success.
Different abilities don’t have to mean fewer opportunities.
Every dog is an individual.
Every dog deserves to be understood.
And every dog deserves the opportunity to learn, participate and have fun in a way that is right for them.
Specialist Dog Training Kent
Individual dog training, behaviour support and enrichment activities tailored to the dog in front of us.