How To Train Your Dog To Be A Therapy Dog For Hospitals
Make sure your dog is trained to walk on a leash and wears a collar.
How to train your dog to be a therapy dog for hospitals. Some therapy groups require that the dog pass the canine good citizen test. A good knowledge of reward based training methods. After training the pets are evaluated by delta instructors to determine if they are controllable reliable and predictable with good manners in public places and the social skills to visit strangers. Pet partners lists local groups online with therapy dog training programs that typically last 5 to 16 weeks and cost 100 to.
If you want to be part of the therapy team with your dog you must both complete a thorough training process. The akc s canine good citizen test all therapy dogs need to be under control and have basic training. Dogs will nuzzle up to strangers if they know a treat might be in it for them. Once you have decided that your dog is a good candidate to be a therapy dog you will need to take steps to train them properly.
Given the requirement for the dog to be rock steady in a range of situations most hospital therapy dogs are adults in their middle or mature years who have matured and got over puppyish high spirits. Therapy dogs bring joy to hospitals classrooms and nursing homes. Many classes will include a therapy dog evaluation at the end of the class. As long as your dog is properly socialized it should take to therapy training fairly readily.
The optimism and happiness a therapy dog visit can provide to a patient is one that cannot be measured by a doctor s instruments or recorded on a patient s chart. Because therapy dogs work in various settings whether with their owner or in groups of people such as in nursing homes group home facilities hospitals schools libraries police stations and other facilities where they will come in contact with various people you will want to spend time training your therapy dog. The basic doggie manners of sit stay and lay down are important but their training needs to be more extensive than that. As an icebreaker bring treats and a grooming brush to therapy sessions.
To train the dog to an adequate standard of obedience you will need. This certification shows that your dog is socialized friendly and has adequate basic training. Training is provided through hands on workshops taught by delta society licensed instructors or through a home study course. A great way to begin is to participate in the akc canine good citizen program cgc.