How would I know if my dog would make a good therapy dog?

Question

1year old flat coated retriever?

Answer 1

Training a therapy dog is a lot more complicated than making sure they are sweet and good around children. Some dogs are awesome with kids, but wheelchairs or metal clanking can freak them out. They also need to understand basic commands and be rather docile. Many breeds (or nearly all dogs with the right temperment and training) can become therapy dogs.

So to avoid as many liabilities as possible, your dog will need to pass the good citizen test: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm
If they can pass that then they can work towards therapy dog certification: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/program.cfm?page=3 for info or http://www.tdi-dog.org/ for the actual organization.

I really hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 2

If your dog can't pass the Caine Good Citizen's test it doesn't have a chance. Another poster mentioned the test and gave the link. Just because the dog passes the CGC doesn't mean it will be able to become a therapy dog, it's just a good first step.

You really need to educate yourself about therapy dogs and what goes into training and handling a TD. Delta Society is a great resource and will give you locations where you can take classes. http://deltasociety.org/VolunteerAboutBecome.htm

Keep in mind that therapy dogs ARE NOT covered by the Americians With Disabilites Act (ADA) and, therefore, are not allowed in public buildings, etc unless they are doing therapy work.

Answer 3

he is not too old to begin training for it. but the training is extensive...your first question tho is does he have the right character for it. is he a calm dog or hyper? does he learn eagerly and well? is he friendly and accepting of strangers? he can not exhibit ANY protective tendencies, as they may show up later in unpredictable ways. your local county extension office should be able to point you in the right direction to getting involved in this area, perhaps you may even have a local trainer in this field that can show you the steps that need to be taken. you will have to have your dog complete a certificate, which means he will need to pass tests, because he will be considered a "citizen" of sorts. good luck

Answer 4

retrievers and labs are very good therapy dogs. I Sorry but i don't know who you can talk to about starting a program. But i know ALOT of therapy dogs are labs/retriever. They are very mellow, thats why most service dogs are retrievers/labs

Answer 5

Contact your local SPCA
If they don't have a therapy dog program, they will know where to find one. There are special classes you can enroll in and special tests the doggie has to pass, but it's all good.
Good luck

Answer 6

If he is very very tolerant and gentle with hyper childern, I think you may have a dog for the job. Look on the internet and see if you can take him somewhere to test him out. ;)