Dear John and Erin, I am a wheelchair bound person who owns a service dog. My question is how can wipe off his back paws after he comes in from doing his business outside in the mud? To clean the front paws, I put the dog in a sit position and have the dog hand me his paws one at a time. Since being in a wheelchair, I am unable to get down on the floor and clean the back paws. Presently, I just pull the paws to me. however, this way can be difficult and messy. Is there an easier way? I look forward form hearing from you. - Muddy on Mooney Mountain

Recently, I had the pleasure and honor of accompanying a buddy of mine, Larry, to the NEADS (National Education Assistance Dog Service) training facility in West Boyston, MA to visit the place where his service dog, Morgan, was so wonderfully trained. To say I was impressed, awed and inspired would be an understatement, What an outstanding and tremendous service these dogs provide to their handlers. (NEADS, by the way, relies on donations for support - please keep them in mind when looking for a very worthy charity.)
While on the five hour (each way) car ride, Larry and I came up with a very viable solution to your problem. Sitting and giving the front paw are natural acts, natural positions and natural movements. There is nothing natural in a dog raising and extending its rear leg straight out behind. For this reason, any training would be extremely difficult and time consuming, if possible at all. Sometimes training may not be the answer. Try this:
Get yourself an old coffee table and tack on a piece of rubber matting. The matting provides a non-skid surface. Place the table somewhere near the door the dog uses to come and go. Teach the dog to "hup" onto the table and stand still ("Stand Stay"). The height of the coffee table should allow you to readily handle the dog's rear feet, making it easier and less messy to clean. Mark this suggestion: "Larry Tested and Morgan Approved".

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