Below is a Pre-release review of the DVD series "Clicker Train Your Own Assistance Dog". The review is written by Veronica Sanchez, M. Ed. Chair, Service Animal Consulting Division of IAABC:

Barbara Handelman's DVD series is groundbreaking. For the first time, professional trainers with disabilities demonstrate the use of contemporary clicker training techniques. These DVDs empower people with disabilities to train their own dogs basic skills like targeting as well as more advanced skills such as retrieving, scent discrimination, and assisting with tasks of daily living. Barbara's detailed, clear instructions on the training of various skills are relevant to animal assisted therapy handlers as well as assistance dog handlers.

This series is invaluable for people with disabilities seeking to train their pet dog or an assistance dog, and is equally important for the professional pet dog trainer who would like to more effectively work with clients with disabilities.

The user-friendly guide that accompanies the DVDs provides practical suggestions on ways to incorporate the training techniques into a daily routine.

Barbara Handelman has created a training package that not only makes complex training concepts understandable, but is also entertaining and enjoyable!

Review From the Producers of the Award Winning Bow Wow Video Series:

It’s great to know there is finally a SD-specific resource on the market to help people as they train their own SDs.  We especially liked how thoroughly you covered targeting and the advanced applications associated with that in your first DVD set. You broke the behaviors down into small and easy steps and your explanations are very clear.  The footage is clear, lighting is good, and the variety of dogs is nice to see.

Throughout the DVDs, you included some very clever training ideas.  For instance, we liked how you added a rope to a door knob to make it easier for a disabled person to re-open the door during the dog’s training sessions on door closing.  (There’s real added value to your work because you know first-hand what it’s like to have a disability and what it’s like to train your own SD.)  Teaching hand targeting, and then combining that with retrieve-to-hand is also excellent advice.

The final section (preview) on temperament evaluation was also very good, and we look forward to seeing the full DVD on that later this spring!  That is going to be a very useful resource.

The written material you supply on one DVD is wonderful, especially for viewers that are hearing disabled. Great idea!

Virginia Broitman and Sherri Lippman
Producers of the Bow Wow Video Series
http://www.takeabowwow.com/Howvideo.html


CONTENTS

Clicker Train Your Own Assistance Dog a Four-Part DVD Series

Produced by Barbara Handelman, M.Ed, CDBC

1) Ready Aim Touch: Basic Target Training and Advanced Applications (approx 45) min)

How to train nose targeting and foot targeting behaviors.
Using targeting to work with light switches, drawers and cabinet doors, and handicapped access doors.

2) You Want Me To Do What?!? (approx. 45 min)

Teaching position changes including: backing, turning in place, moving under, around and behind.
Helping with tasks of daily living such as taking off socks and jackets, brace and fall prevention and recovery from falls.

3) A Tale of Two Skills: The Marriage of Target and Retrieve: (approx 45 min)

All phases of training the basic retrieve PLUS:
Demonstrations of Sue Ailsby’s “Two Grab Method;”
Proofing the “HOLD” with Debi Davis.
Scent Discrimination using Kay Laurence’s Methods.
Using Scent Searching to find keys, phones and other personal items.

4) Part 1: Of Dogs, Doors and Self Control (approx 25 min)

Opening and closing interior and exterior doors, loading and unloading from vans and cars;
Teaching self-control techniques.
Line Farr’s method of training: “Wait at Doorways”.

Part 2: Preview of the DVD Series: Temperament Assessments With Dee Ganley, CPDT, CABC/CDBC (approx 30 min)

Evaluating temperament when selecting Assistance Dog and Therapy Dog Candidates.
Demonstrations and discussion of temperament assessments with puppies and older dogs.

Read Comments From Viewers of the DVDs

From Hermie Foster:

Thank you so much for taking the time to make such a fine training series.

I can't rave about it enough.  I'm so terribly pleased !

I feel the length of time you spend on each segment of a task is beyond marvelous.

 I love watching your dogs.  I love seeing that your dogs have exuberance ------- not the dull deadheads so often seen.

Channeling that joy can be quite the challenge, and you do so well at it.

Luca reminds me so much of Sarah, with his enthusiasm ----------- and that lovely, vocal Moon, whatta Aussie !

The section done in the loo was wonderful !  I loved it.

I can now begin to rebuild Sarah's retrieve, with a solid hold.  Thank you.

Being one of these *cross over* people, it's been quite the challenge to get things *just so* ------ but I love what I do, and will do and do, and do.

 One of the other things I love about your series, is it's being done alone --------- no helper.

I have to train alone, and I'm pleased to see that it's possible to do so for others.

I also love you being in and out of your powerchair --------- gives folks a new view of who might have need of a chair, and not be paralyzed.  Thank you for that.

I know that folks often do a double take, if I stand up --------- they appear to think I've just experienced a miraculous healing or something <grin>.

Again, thank you so much, for the wonderful job done ----------- you will serve to assist so very many with this training series ! 

Marvelous job, Barbara !!

Hermie, Sarah & Q

From Richard Lamberty:

My set of DVDs arrived today.

As I sit in front of the computer watching the

first one (Basic Targeting and Advanced Applications)

I am just stunned at how well done this training

tool is.

The clarity, focus, range of methods for accessing

the information, and especially, the attention

to detail is just wonderful.

Thank you for taking the time and effort to produce

this amazing product.

I look forward to watching the entire set over and

over as I learn how to train my dog to be an even

more wonderful companion that she already is.

Bless you and thank you.

Richard E. Lamberty

 

Hi Barbara,

I wrote early saying how thrilled I am with

the DVDs I received today.

As much as I appreciate the great production

value and all the work that went into it,

there really is no substitute for competence.

Clearly, you just KNOW what you are doing

and fortunately for us, you have figured out

how to communicate that knowledge in a way

that is accessible with great clarity.

 

Thanks again,

Richard E. Lamberty

As a blind person, the optimal way to benefit from these DVDs, at least the first one, is to sit down with someone who can describe them.  Because I have some knowledge of clicker training, I understood most of the text of the manuscript.  However, for example, I had no clue what the bedbugs toy looked like and was for until it was described to me.  Watching the dvd's with a sighted person interested in clicker training would be a great experience for both.  Also, the adobe format was very readable, and I was able to easily convert it to text to store on my braille pda. 

Lisa Salinger