Therapy Dog Training    

   Everything your dog does in therapy work revolves around a solid foundation in basic obedience training tons and tons of socialization.

   Practice sits, downs, stays, come, and develop a watch me and leave it  command.  Do this not only at your home, but in a variety of places and always on lead.  It is good to have lots of distractions around you. This way you know the dog has become reliable and understands what is expected.  

   Don't train for more then 10 - 15 minutes at a time without a break especially with dogs that are 6 months to 1 year of age.   When training dogs under six months for the best training results do it in 2-5 minute intervals.  They are still pups and you will both end up frustrated if you push them too hard!

   Train with a ton of praise!  Use food, toys, and clickers.  Whatever works best for your dog.  Find what works best for you and your dog.

   A 30 or 50-foot lead is helpful when training in areas such as parks or parking lots.

   After a couple of weeks of practice with the above skills add equipment and loud noise distractions to your obedience training. Walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, whistles, clanging pans, vacuum cleaners etc.  Your dog needs to be able to walk past and up to these items without pouncing on them, growling or acting afraid.   Many facilities are willing to loan out equipment for training purposes.

   Now you are on your way to becoming a Working Therapy Dog Handler and proud owner of a Breed Ambassador.   

   Good Luck 

How to Teach the Watch Me Command

This command becomes important to keep the dogs focus on you instead of elsewhere, and can be a big help in crowded elevators or halls where the dog may be overly excited or anxious.  This is the easiest way to teach the watch me command:

   Take whatever reward you are using.   Food is easiest to work with for this command.  Stick the treat either in your mouth or up by your face.
   Hot dogs work great.  Make sure NOT to use something that is going to get all squishy if you have it in your mouth, like cheese...Messy!

   Just say “watch me”, “look at me” or whatever command you want to use for this behavior.

   As soon as the dog looks ... treat and praise.  You can use the same concept when teaching basic healing.

   If the food is in your mouth spit it to him.   If it is in your hand feed it to him ASAP.   It becomes like a game.   If you are not great at treat-spitting, keep trying... It takes practice.

   After the dog has had some time to get this into his head and understands what you want him to do, start making him look at you for longer periods of time before treating.

   Next start weaning him off the treats a bit and just use praise.

Sample Therapy Dog Test

There are many different therapy dog organizations.  Below is a sample of some of the things that are usually required to be certified as a therapy dog. 

1.   ACCEPTING A FRIENDLY STRANGER
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation.  The Evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries.  The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the Evaluator.

2.   SITTING POLITELY FOR PETTING
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler.  The dog should sit at the handler's side as the Evaluator approaches and begins to pet the dog on the head and body only.  The dog may stand in place to accept petting.  The dog must not show shyness or resentment.

3.   APPEARANCE AND GROOMING
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit a stranger, such as a veterinarian, groomer, or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner's care, concern and sense of responsibility.  The Evaluator inspects the dog, then combs or brushes the dog, and lightly examines the ears and each front foot.

4.   OUT FOR A WALK (walking on a loose leash)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog.  The dog can be on either side of the handler, whichever the handler prefers.  There must be a left turn, a right turn and an about turn, with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops.

5.   WALKING THROUGH A CROWD
This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places.  The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three).  The dog may show some interest in the strangers, without appearing over exuberant, shy or resentful.  The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test.  The dog should not be straining at the leash.

6.   SIT AND DOWN ON COMMAND/STAYING IN PLACE
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler's commands to sit and down, and will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers).  The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to make the dog sit and then down. When instructed by the Evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of a 20-foot line.  The dog must remain in place, but may change position.

7.   COMING WHEN CALLED
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler.  The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog.  The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come.  Handlers may choose to tell the dog to "stay" or "wait," or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog as the Evaluator provides mild distraction (e.g., petting).

8.   REACTION TO ANOTHER DOG
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs.  Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 10 yards, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 5 yards.  The dogs should show no more than a casual interest in each other.

9.   REACTIONS TO DISTRACTIONS
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations, such as the dropping of a large book or a jogger running in front of the dog.  The dog may express a natural interest and curiosity and/or appear slightly startled, but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness or bark.

10.  REACTION TO MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
At the discretion of the Evaluator, this test may be included in any of the following portions of the test: 2, 3, 5 or 9.   The dog should be tested around medical equipment (such as a wheelchair, crutches, cane, walker, or other devices which would ordinarily be found in a facility) to judge the dog's reactions to common health care equipment.

11.  LEAVE IT
The handler with the dog on a loose leash walks past food on the ground (placed within a distance of three feet) and, upon command, the dog should ignore the food.

12.  ACCLIMATION TO INFIRMITIES
This test demonstrates the dog’s confidence when exposed to people walking with an uneven gait, shuffling, breathing heavily, coughing, wheezing or other distractions which may be encountered in a facility.

13.  SUPERVISED SEPARATION
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain its training and good manners.  Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's leash.  The owner will go out of sight for three minutes.  The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness.

14.  SAY HELLO
The Certified Evaluator will test the willingness of each dog to visit a person and that the dog can be accessible for petting (i.e., small dogs can be placed on a person's lap or can be held, medium and larger dogs can sit on a chair or stand close to the patient to be easily reached).