Kaycee's Custom Guide and Grounding Handles

24/11/2018

NEW!!! FOR COLLARS AND LEASHES ONLY, 1" wide holiest webbing!!!! I love all of them!!

23/11/2018

I now have the ability to embroider directly onto the bridge of your handle (or a collar)!! These are my available fonts. Please ask me about embroidering, as we will have to be sure your word(s) will fit on your bridge!

27/12/2017

My first square top handle going to New Hampshire :)

PLEASE NOTE: New design does NOT make my handles safe for CB or heavy mobility. They are still to be used only as a more solid version of a pull strap. :)

27/12/2017

Just finished my first square top handle. This handle will be tested for durability by a team in New Hamshire! I love this handle!

10/02/2017

Check out all the awesome custom handles I have created! Each time I make a new handle you can find it here! Each handle is custom made to order to fit each handler and service dog perfectly!

01/02/2017

Sneak peak of my newest handle! Had to make this one extra special because her guide harness requires a very specific type of attachment. A buckle instead of a clip! (the ring on the far left will be the ring on her guide handle, that ring is only temporary to show her how to attach the clip to her harness). If you have a special custom need, feel free to ask and I will do my best to create a handle that will work best for you and your service dog!

31/12/2016

Just ordered supplies for a very unique custom guide handle! Pictures to come!!

18/10/2016

Finished a new handle for Kaycee last week and got to try it out today. It doesn't quite lay flat on her back, but that just makes it easier for me to grab! Still working on training finding the exit (you can see she gets a little bit distracted) but she's doing great with this type of handle. It gives much better input for her to really be able to guide where the soft "pull strap" type handle didn't work for us. I will post better pics of the handle alone for my custom creations album later! :)

18/09/2016

PLEASE NOTE: I have gotten many questions about my new square top handle design. Core material remains the same, a lightweight, hollow plastic. This shape of handle does NOT mean it can be used for heavy mobility or CB. ALL of my handles are ONLY safe for use for grounding or momentum pull (think of it as a more solid version of a pull strap). Thank you!

Welcome! I have been getting a lot of questions lately about my handles, so I decided to copy and paste my "About" section to a post to make it easier to access. (I know that on a mobile device, the longer About section cannot be accessed). This post will very likely answer any questions you may have, so please take a few minutes to read it over and check out my photo albums before asking your question. Chances are it can be easily answered by reading this post. Thank you for your interest in Kaycee's Custom Guide and Grounding Handles!

WELCOME!
Welcome to Kaycee's Custom Service Dog Handles! If you have found this page, you are probably in the same frustrating situation as I was. Kaycee is my first service dog, and as I continue to work with and train her, I began to realize just how helpful a grounding/guide handle would be for me. After a quick online search I found that most grounding handles and "pull straps" are made from paracord or a similar soft, rope-like material. After using a handle like that for a few weeks, I realized that it just wasn't cutting it for me. I needed a firm handle, and Kaycee needed more feedback than a soft handle can offer. She just wasn't understanding the guide work training with the soft handle. After a search online I came up short, as you likely have. There is no place (that I have found) to buy a rigid grounding or guide handle that isn't fixed and is custom sized to fit me and my dog. I don't need a mobility harness, nor can I afford one, and I don't need a guide harness either because I only need occasional guide work. All I need is that simple grounding through a firm handle, and some occasional light guide work. So I decided to try my hand at making my own handle. And it turned out so much better than I could have imagined. So here I am today, and here you are! Let me tell you a bit about my custom handles.

HANDLE USES:
These handles are best utilized for simple grounding purposes and/or guide work (with the correct, sturdy harness built specifically for the purpose and the correct clip choice) if you prefer a non-fixed guide handle. I do not make guide harnesses, that is something you must already have. These handles ARE NOT made to be used for ANY mobility work at all beyond guide/momentum pull. They are not fixed and do not necessarily require a sturdy harness for simple grounding purposes, and they are made of a narrow, flexible plastic. Using them for any type of counter balance work or downward pressure could injure you or your dog.
DISCLAIMER: If you purchase one of my handles, I am not responsible for the misuse of the product or any injury to you or your dog that may occur while using the product.

CUSTOM MADE TO ORDER!
When you place an order for a handle, every single aspect of the product you purchase can be customized to fit your needs. The core of each handle is made of a light weight, durable, hollow plastic piping, much like PVC pipe but on a smaller scale. The pipe is flexible, which allows for the shape of the handle during the making process, but with the bridge piece on the finished product the handle will not flex unless used improperly. In addition to being the exact length and shoulder width you and your dog need, customization can include choice of color or pattern for the main handle and bridge, choice of added velcro to bridge (for easy patch placement), several different clip options for all preferences and desired use, and even the ability to choose the color of your metal clips!

PRICING:
Handles start at $40, with which you can choose any solid color for the handle and bridge, as well as 1 of 3 clip choices. Patterned handles, a fourth clip choice, embroidered bridge, and color choice (powder coating) for clips each add minimally to the total cost and may add to shipping time. (See photo albums for more pricing info). Shipping is free within the continental US. I will not ship outside the US. Shipping time from order to delivery averages 3-4 weeks. I accept payment through Paypal only.
Payment will be due at the time of your order.

ORDERING A HANDLE:
When you contact me to order a handle, you can expect that I will ask you a few questions about what your service dog does for you in relation to how you would like to use one of my handles, as well as if you have any other specific needs with your handle. I will never inquire about your disability specifically. I will also ask that you share a current picture of your Service Dog wearing the harness or vest you plan to use with your handle. This will help me best understand your specific needs for the handle and be sure that your vest/harness will be safe for the use of my handle. Your dog's safety is very important to me! I will only sell guide handles to the handlers of fit, healthy Service Dogs that are the correct size, weight, and height for guide work. Strictly grounding handles (no guide work needed) will only be sold to the handlers of fit, healthy Service Dogs that come at least to the handler's knee in height at the dog's shoulder. This is to ensure that I am not supporting the use of overweight service dogs, something that I personally think is not only unsafe for the dog but unfair as well. When you know your measurements and custom choices, I will send you a PDF order form via email. Once I receive your completed order form I will send you a Paypal invoice for payment. From the time you order to the time you receive your handle should be roughly 2 and a half to 3 weeks.

OTHER INFORMATION:
You can find the answers to most questions you might have by reading the above and by checking out my photo albums.
Here is the link to my customization options album, which includes extra pricing for added customization: https://www.facebook.com/Kayceescustomhandles/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1235046866535788

And here is the link to my measuring guide, where you will find all the help you need to measure your dog for a handle!: https://www.facebook.com/Kayceescustomhandles/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1235005643206577

If you have any further questions please feel free to send me a message! I’d love to help you out however I can. Thank you for checking out my page, I hope to hear from you soon!

Check out all your options! The possibilities are endless!

12/09/2016

Hello everyone! Thank you all for waiting so patiently for me to open up shop! It's been a very stressful and hectic two weeks, but I am now ready to start taking handle orders for real! Yay! I have two people who requested handles before today, so they are first priority. I want to take these two orders and see how long my processing time will be before taking more orders. This will let me know how long it will be for you as the customer from the time of order to the time of delivery. Again thank you for your support and patience! I will make another post as soon as I know how often I can take orders and how many at a time. :)

13/08/2016

**Note that if you choose a patterned webbing for your handle and leash, the pattern on the 2" wide (your handle) webbing will be more detailed than the 1" wide pattern. By this I mean to say that the pattern is not decreased in size for more narrow webbing, rather the 1" wide pattern is exactly as if the 2" wide pattern were cut in half down the middle. This may not affect all patterns, but some patterns (such as the plaids or argyles) may be affected by this change.

19/07/2016

I am working on training Kaycee to give slight forward pressure to help me stay grounded so we can escape situations that put my anxiety over the top. This could be considered light guide work. I made this handle specifically for this purpose and it is working great!
I stopped the video just as we got through the door because that's when she gets her jackpot reward! ;)

PS the vest she is wearing is a River Dog Gear vest and I had her put D rings where the chest strap meets the vest so that I could use the vest for this light guide work and grounding. :)

05/07/2016

01/07/2016

If you have stumbled upon this page, I am currently in the process of Beta Testing and building my page. I am not open for orders yet! Please allow me a few weeks to get things started, but feel free to message me with any questions! I have found all the Beta Testers that I need. My shop should be up and ready for sales in the coming months. Thanks!

In the mean time, you can head over to Kaycee's page and give her a "like" to follow her progress towards becoming my service dog!

https://m.facebook.com/Kaycee-the-Service-Dog-in-Training-712977382146058/

01/07/2016

This is the handle that started it all. Slight modifications have been made from this original design to improve quality and durability.

01/07/2016

Photo description:
Image: On the left is the silhouette of a dog. A yellow line labeled "A" is drawn across the dog's chest, showing where to measure for your handle width. A red line labeled "B" is drawn, starting at the middle of the front shoulder of the dog and extending backward at an angle, showing how to measure for your handle length.
Text in photo: How to measure your dog.
Because your handle will not be flexible, it is best to use a solid measuring tool, like a ruler or yard stick, rather than a cloth measuring tape to measure your dog. A cloth tape may cause you to measure incorrectly. Before measuring, put your dog in the harness or vest that will be used with this handle. This will help you know where the handle will attach so you can get the most accurate measurements possible.
Measurement "A": With your dog standing facing you, measure straight across your dog's chest, from the widest part of the shoulder to the other shoulder. If you have existing D rings that the handle will clip to, measure the distance between these, straight across the dog's chest (without taking the measurement around the edges of the shoulders toward the tail). This measurement will be the width of your handle at the point it attaches to the harness.
Measurement B: It may be useful to have the help of a friend for this measurement. Have your dog, wearing the harness you'll use with this handle, stand in position next to or slightly in front of you (in guiding position). Stand up straight and relaxed; do not bend over or forward while taking this measurement. Place the end of your measuring stick at the point where the handle will attach to the harness. (If the harness has existing guide handle stabilizing loops, put the measuring tool through these loops). Make a lose fist with the hand you will hold the handle with and hold your arm at the angle most comfortable for you for guide work. Check on your measuring stick where the inside of your loose fist meets your measuring stick. This will be the length of your handle.

Side note: It is important to remember that, unless otherwise requested, handle length will include the clip length. Clip lengths (and widths) vary. If your harness has existing guide handle loops, be sure to measure the inside of these loops to be sure your handle clips will fit through the loops.