Date: Sat, 6 Jun 1998 19:51:50 -0700 From: Deborah Davis Subject: Re: Can't Use Clicker >>Message Sent by: Deborah Davis Kathy wrote: >> I have been chatting with someone via e-mail. She wants to use >> clicker training but she has MS and it is very painful for her >> to use the clicker. Any suggestions on other items that could >> be used in place of the clicker?<< Hi Kathy, I work with service dogs and am currently mentoring a woman living with MD, who cannot click a conventional clicker. However, there are several workable options. You didn't mention if she is a wheeler or ambulatory, and it can make a difference. For Laura, the woman I'm mentoring, we are using 4 different things, and she's trying them all out to see which works the best for her. 1. The Sound Leash--a $40 box about 4 inches long, 1 inch thick, with a big red button on the top that makes an electronic beep. It's a bit clumsy, but works fine for Laura because she uses a power chair and had a flat board on the top--similar to a child's highchair--and she can set it right there in her finger range. It takes no strength to hit the button, and it's easy and fast. 2. A child's toy plastic clicker--soft click, but easy to click, even for those with little hand facility. 3. A cut back clicker (cut box in half--through the top and bottom plastic) with the exposed entire metal plate edged in tape, with a popsicle stick taped on. 4. A bell like in old department stores, that you just hit the top of to get a nice ring. All these work pretty well, and give her options. We are also using "Yes!" for those times when she simply cannot get to another event marker quick enough. The dog will work for all the event markers with pretty much equal enthusiasm. Hugs, Wags, Smiles and Clicks! Debi Davis & the Service Paps, Tucson, AZ

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