Customer Reviews
Great Groundwork for Service Dog & Basic Training! 
2006-03-04
This book and it's companion are wonderful books on dog training using positive reinforcement (operant conditioning) techniques. This book covers basic obedience training and the groudwork training for service dogs and does it in such a way that anyone can train their own dog - either to be a very well mannered canine or to prepare the foundation for service dog or more complex training.
For those of us that can't run backwards to teach "come" or bend over repeatedly to teach sit, this book offers genuine workable solutions. The training exercises were compiled from various self-trained service dog teams that have completed training and uses real world experience and solutions - not only for dealing with physical difficulties but also dog training difficulties and stumbling blocks. The book is also well written with understandable explainations for the average person that isn't a dog training expert but a beginner.
Teamwork I is also great for and provides valuable insight for those that aren't disabled and are training service dogs for others; although it does point out the value of the bond you can forge doing the training yourself. Paired with Teamwork II, the complete package will give instructions to train a service dog in basic assistance tasks from start to finish, as well as supplying the reader with the ability to create their own solutions for training other necessary behaviors to meet their individual needs that aren't covered.
All in all, Teamwork I is a priceless training resource for those that aren't as mobile and limber as the average person -ranging from the person with mild arthritis to those of us in wheelchairs or with paralysis. While Teamwork I doesn't cover service dog exercises, the exercises covered are necessary to be able to teach the more complex ones, and it does give an overview of the whole process and where it is going.
VERY VERY HELPFUL 2006-02-28
I haven't finished it at the time of this writing, but I have already put many of the training tips into use. Well worth the money. It is the first book that I have found that deals with the subject of disabled dog owners, without being condescending, or assuming that the disabled are helpless. Again, well worth it.
Service Dog Training for the Disabled 2005-09-25
Teamwork and Teamwork II by Lydia Kelley are excellent resources for disabled people who need a service dog and have the need and desire to train their own. The system is based on that used by Top Dog, a nonprofit service dog training organization in Tucson, Arizona. They would also be extrememly useful for someone who wanted to train a service dog for a disabled friend or relative.
All methods have been adapted for use by people with varying degrees of disability. For example, some people don't have the dexterity to put on their dog's collar and harness; the books explain how to train a dog to assist in tacking up.
Teamwork addresses the obedience skills needed by a service dog who will be taken into public place (restaurants, malls, shops, grocery stores, etc) Teamwork II addresses special skills that the dog will need to help his disabled partner. Pulling a wheelchair, picking up dropped items, helping a fallen partner to rise, fetching help when needed and many other skills are taught.
I am a disabled person who is teaching her own service dog and these books have been invaluable to me. I highly recommend them.
Teamwork 2004-09-19
This book focuses on rewarding the positive and ignoring the negtive responses toward our canine friends. There's no hitting with a newspaper, no yelling & screaming, no negative or hurtful reactions. The authors show us that we can be more successful with positive reinforcement coupled with rewards. This is so much more humane: your dog will bond with you out of love and affection not out of fear and anxiety. It's the best way to make you and your helping dog a dependable and committed team. The book is clear, insightful and a wonderful contribution to those of us who thought we couldn't have a helper dog.
Finally, a dog book for ALL people. 1999-03-24
This book truly covers many different ways to train your dog, disabled or not. Easy to read and understand too!
Great Basic Training Book 2008-04-09
I originally purchased this book to train one of my dogs as a service dog for myself, but, the basic obedience methods have been working on my one year old puppy, Max. I'm not joking when I say Max has changed overnight from unruly to disciplined. There aren't many photos in the book, but the instructions are easy to follow. Excellent!
good for beginner 
2007-11-24
This book has very basic beginning obedience exercises. If your dog already has basic obedience, Teamwork II is a better choice. If this is your first dog, the tricks for getting your dog to do these things are great!
Training an asistance dog yourself for physically disabled 
2007-02-11
This is only book I could find with specifics on teaching tasks for assistance dog for people in wheelchairs. A very valuable tool!
Barbara Graham, Cloverdale, CA
Good info on basic training for all 2007-01-27
This book is helpful for both the disabled and those who are not. I believe even those who have had a service dog trained for them could benefit from the information in this book.
Useful for people with impaired mobility 
2007-01-26
It is very breif, and lacks a lot of detail, which I would personally have found helpful. It would be useful for those with impaired mobility to find ways to achieve basic obedience skills for their dogs.
