I use a wheelchair to get around. Will the Focused Heeling with Michael Ellis DVD work for me?

Dear Cindy,

Wow great web site and great information. I have read, watched and learned so much from all of you. Thank You! I have most of your videos in my collection and watch them over and over. Because of your company I felt confident enough to take on the task of training my own Service Dog. In the past I got Service Dogs from a company that trains them but I never felt that they were the dog they could have been. I use an electric wheelchair because of Muscular Dystrophy. I have very limited strength. However, with your videos, web casts, and articles I have been equipped with the knowledge to purchase my own Doberman and train him to be my assistance dog. All is going well. Boomer is two now (I got him through a great breeder when he was 8 months old). We work every day with clicker training. He is picking up all kinds of items for me including retrieving the telephone when it rings. We are always working on engagement every day which is something I never really had with my other Service Dogs. This makes such a difference and a stronger bond between me and my Service Dog.

I have purchased over eight of your videos. The last one was "The Power of Training Dogs with Food." Refer to it several times a week! I did not purchase "The Power of Playing Tug with Your Dog." The reason is because of my physical weakness. I knew that I would not be able to play tug with my dog Boomer. However I did learn other games to play with him that strengthen our bond but also teach him that I say when the games begin and when the games end.

My question is I am interested in the latest one coming out "Focused Heeling." However, I am in an electric wheelchair so having the dog focus on lining up with my leg is not an option. However, I am hoping that I can achieve the positioning at a certain point along side my wheelchair. Boomer currently walks well on a leash next to me but at times pulls gently ahead. I have taught him the word "back" which means to step back one step. This helps reposition him where I want him. I visualize the day that Boomer will walk next to my wheelchair without always holding the leash. Do you think that I can take the information provided on this video and adapt it to meet my unique situation?

Thanks again for everything!

Janis and Boomer