The TEAMWORK series of books by Tucson trainers/authors Stewart Nordensson and Lydia Kelley are available through TOP DOG Publishing Company. The non-fiction books are dog-training manuals for people with physical disabilities.

Teamwork I Training Manual $19.95 BUY NOW FROM OUR ONLINE STORE	Teamwork II Training Manual $19.95 BUY NOW FROM OUR ONLINE STORE

Nordensson, Kelley and three others founded the TOP DOG training program in 1987. TOP DOG teaches people with physical disabilities to train their dogs to be service dogs. Nordensson and Kelley have been instructors and directors of the TOP DOG program since its inception. Nordensson trained dogs for over 50 years, and Kelley has been training dogs and teaching classes for almost 30 years. She has had numerous articles published in Off-Lead magazine. TheTeamwork books are the result of their knowledge and experience.

Nordensson and Kelley knew there were many good dog training manuals out there. The problem is they all assume the reader is physically able to follow instructions. Someone in a wheelchair, someone with muscle spasms, someone with limited arm strength and mobility needs a different approach to many of the exercises. The assumption seems to have been that an able-bodied person should train the dog first and then turn it over to the person with the disability. How can someone in a wheelchair, with muscle spasms and limited strength be expected to do the complex work required to train a dog?

Since Nordensson is all three of these--in a wheelchair with spasms and very limited strength-and since he has achieved several obedience degrees in the show ring and certified four service dogs for himself, clearly this is something which is possible. TOP DOG students have been benefiting from this knowledge and experience for years. It seemed time to share it with the rest of the world.

The Teamwork series is unique. Both books give the reader wonderful insight into dog behavior and understanding. They are well written, easy to read and easy to follow. Relying on years of experience, both personal and professional, Nordensson and Kelley explain clearly and concisely the best ways to approach each exercise and each problem, and offer as many solutions as possible.

The hope is that more and more people with disabilities will realize that they can share the companionship and joy of owning a dog, and with a little work and dedication, they can learn how to make that dog a better behaved friend and companion. They don't have to rely on someone else to do it for them, they don't have to forego the pleasure of canine company. It is all within their grasp. The end result of Teamwork is TEAM-a person and dog who understand one another and bond strongly together.

TEAMWORK concentrates on understanding your dog and learning to teach basic obedience exercises, such as sit, down, come and heel. Each exercise is explained clearly, step by step, and includes tips for people on crutches, in manual wheelchairs or power chairs. Praise and food reward are explained and emphasized. Equipment is discussed so that the novice trainer will have a better idea of what's available.

TEAMWORK II builds on this foundation. For the serious student who wants his or her dog to be more than a companion and friend, service exercises are explained and taught. This is done primarily through true case histories of how people with various disabilities have taught their own dogs these helpful exercises. Picking things up-anything from a dime to a crutch-is one of the most useful ways in which your dog may be of help. Retrieving your shoes, phone or wheelchair may be very valuable. Turning lights on and off, opening doors, helping you up from the floor or a chair, helping you dress--all of these skills, and more, are explained in detail in Teamwork II.

Both books are liberally illustrated with color photographs showing people with many different disabilities training their own dogs. No matter your level of disability, no matter what breed of dog you own, the Teamwork books can help you learn to understand and train your dog, taking that training just as far as you want.

Now, Teamwork is available in video, both DVD and VHS formats.  These  wonderful videos demonstrate all of the exercises taught in the books. Interviews with people who have taught the exercises help the viewer to understand and visualize the training. There is valuable information on understanding your dog and his behavior, excellent training tips on each exercise, and advice for preparing for changes in your life and your dog's life. They are very professional videos, which bring the Teamwork books to life, and allow you to see each exercise step by step.

Teamwork I DVD/Video $25.00 Now with closed captioning! BUY NOW FROM OUR ONLINE STORE	Teamwork II DVD/Video $25.00 Now with closed captioning! BUY NOW FROM OUR ONLINE STORE

View a Sample of Teamwork I:

View a Sample of Teamwork II:

Teamwork and Teamwork II Books, DVDs and Videos are available from TOP DOG Publishing Company, 5049 E. Broadway Blvd, #102, Tucson, AZ 85711. Telephone (520) 323-6677.

Order online at the TOP DOG Store or download the PDF Order Form by following this link!