Training a dog to use as a therapy dog?

Question

I have a 6 month old Black lab named Saghani Takoda. My dream has always been to have a therapy dog. I have started obviously with the basic training in obediance. What I am looking for now is what kind of specific training will she need other than obidiance in order to fill her roll as a therapy dog! There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a smile that a dog brings to a sick child's or person's face! Any ideas for a web site to go to or organization would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Ask your obedience instructor about the Canine Good Citizen information and or classes. Also depending on where you live the Delta Society may be able to help you with information on Therapy Dog Tests. I have only gone through The Delta Society Program with a cat (2nd cat in my county who passed) so I am sure the rules are different for dogs. Good luck to you and your doggie, it is a very rewarding opportunity. God Bless.

Answer 2

I once had an elderly lady for a friend. She had a wonderful little dog. A mix of some sort. She had the dog trained well and it behaved very well. Learn here https://tr.im/ZN0Vs

She kept an uncovered candy dish on her coffee table with candy in it. The dog was forbidden to eat the candy. When she was in the room observing the dog he did not even appear to notice the candy. One day while she was in her dinning room she happened to look in a mirror and could see her dog in the living room. He did not know he was being watched. For several minutes he was sitting in front of the candy bowl staring at the candy. Finally he reached in and took one. He placed it on the table and stared at it, he woofed at it. He stared some more, licked his chops and PUT IT BACK in the bowl and walked away. Did he want the candy, oh yeah. Did he eat it? Nope. They can be trained that well but most, I'll admit, are not trained that well. When I was a young boy, maybe 5 years old. We had a german shepherd. He was very well trained also. My mom could leave food unattended on the table, no problem. She would open the oven door and set a pan roast beef or roast chicken on the door to cool. No problem. He would not touch it, watched or not. But butter? Whole other story. You leave a stick of butter anywhere he could reach and it was gone. He was a large shepherd so there were not many places he could not reach. Really, I think the number of dogs trained to the point they will leave food alone when not being supervised is very small indeed.
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Now if we are talking obedience training, not food grubbing, that is a different story. Way back when I was first learning obedience training one of the final exercises was to put our dogs in a down/stay and not only leave the room but leave the building for 15 minutes. The only person that stayed was our trainer, not the owners. Most of the dogs in my class did not break their stay, which would be an automatic fail. I'm happy to report my dog was one of the ones that passed.

Answer 3

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aMQHB

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 4

Most pet therapy dog must pass the AKC's Canine Good Citizenship test or the CGC.
It is not really hard just requires a well behaved social dog.
Most dog clubs will give the tests at different times of the year.
If you have a therapy group ask them they will tell you what you need to do.
It is a wonderful way to spend time with your pet and it brings great joy to others. My dog did it for a time and he loved it. It is very rewarding.

Answer 5

AKC CGC TEST® / PLUS ADDED TDI REQUIREMENTS


http://www.tdi-dog.org/tditesting.html

This site has your answers to most questions, and if you contact them, they can tell you where is the closest class for you.

I have a therapy dog, a retired racing greyhound. He adores doing this. It's a great bond you'll receive working with your dog on the basic commands.

It's funny, because when I tell Cody to turn right or left, he knows which way to go. You'll here people say - that dog knows directions better then I do. You'll feel so proud of your dog too.

I also tell Cody, it's time to work when were doing this. Even when we practive.
Like a leader dog (for the blind) they learn when they are working and when their not.

Answer 6

Thanks for wanting to do such a great thing!

Here ya go:
CGC Testing
http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm

Therapy Dog Testing
http://www.tdi-dog.org/tditesting.html