​​Even with a good fit and a gentle introduction, some pets need a little extra help learning to use their wheelchair. Here are the most common issues - and how to resolve them.

1. My pet won’t move in the wheelchair

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This is very common in the first few days.

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Possible causes:

• The wheelchair feels unfamiliar

• Anxiety or uncertainty

• The pet doesn’t understand the expectation

• Harnesses feel snug or unusual

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What to do:

• Keep sessions very short and positive

• Use treats, praise, or guiding food lures

• Try starting on grass or carpet (more traction)

• Ensure the cart is not too heavy or too low

• Return to a calmer earlier step for 1-2 days

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Most pets begin moving once they realise the wheelchair helps them feel stable.

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2. My pet tries to reverse or panics

 

Reversing is difficult for most pets in wheelchairs, and panic often comes from feeling “stuck.”

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What to do:

• Stay positioned in front of your pet for reassurance

• Use gentle forward encouragement

• Avoid tight indoor spaces early on

• Practice near a wall or barrier to prevent reversing attempts

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If panic occurs, remove your pet calmly and go back one step in your introduction plan.

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3. My pet sits down in the wheelchair

 

Sitting usually means:

• Fatigue

• Confusion about how to stand

• A poor fit (especially if the saddle is too wide/narrow)

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What to do:

• End the session immediately and allow rest

• Shorten future sessions

• Check saddle position, leg ring tension, and wheel height

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A quick reassessment often fixes this immediately.

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4. My pet seems unbalanced or tips to one side

 

Possible causes:

• Wheel height mismatch

• Uneven strap tension

• Asymmetrical muscle strength

• Uneven ground

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What to do:

• Check wheel height on both sides

• Ensure both harness sides are adjusted equally

• Start practice sessions on flat ground

• Increase support (you can guide lightly at the chest)

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If the problem persists, a fitting adjustment is necessary.

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5. My pet drags their rear feet under the cart

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This happens in neurologic pets who lack proprioception or strength.

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What to do:

• Use stirrups or rear leg loops to prevent dragging

• Adjust wheel height upward slightly

• Shorten sessions

• Add targeted strengthening exercises in your rehab plan

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Dragging can cause abrasions, so address early.

6. My pet moves too fast or becomes overexcited

This is common in confident, high-energy dogs.

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What to do:

• Start in a quiet, low-distraction area

• Use harness control to moderate pace

• Avoid downhill slopes

• Keep sessions ultra-short but frequent

• Reward calm walking

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Fast movement increases tip risk, so controlled pacing is key.

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7. My pet develops redness or skin irritation

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Redness means a pressure point is forming.

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What to do:

• Stop wheelchair use until the area settles

• Add or reposition padding

• Loosen straps slightly

• Review fit (saddle, leg rings, or chest harness)

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Persistent redness is always a reason to contact your rehab provider.

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8. My pet seems tired after using the wheelchair

 

This is normal early on but should not be extreme.

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What to do:

• Shorten sessions

• Increase rest breaks

• Reassess weight distribution

• Ensure pain is well-managed

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Wheelchairs support mobility, but still require effort - fatigue is a sign to slow down.

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9. The wheelchair veers left or right

 

This almost always indicates:

• Mismatched wheel height

• Side-to-side strap imbalance

• Pet leaning due to weakness

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What to do:

• Re-check all adjustment points

• Switch practice surfaces (grass → concrete or vice versa)

• Use mild guiding pressure at the shoulders during early training

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Persistent veering means a fitting adjustment is needed.