First let me say that I am new to this, so I will be explaining it as I understand it.
There are probably others that will be able to explain it much better than I. I am not an assistance dog trainer by profession, I am doing this with the help of one, for my own child.
Once the dog understands the targeting I can move it on to take/hold/give. The light spot target will be the non-verbal way to show the dog or 'mark' the item to be retrieved. Teaching take/hold/give is the retreive training. As long as the retreive is proofed and calm, a retrieve is a retrieve. The target training is also used to target a light switch at stand level and then the light switch has to be gradually raised to the level of a regular light switch and then the generalisation training comes in. I am also using the target training to teach him to hit a buzzer. This will be paired with a seizure. Eventually he will be able to hit the buzzer when my son has a seizure. There is much more involved, because there is an access test that he must complete as well. It is all done slowly and methodically. Mixed in with all of this is his socialization in the community. He has to learn to ignore others, and focus on my son and me. I am wondering about the new video that Ed has been talking about for the focus, but I don't know as I am not going to be doing any bite work. Any opinions on that?