How to Train your Dog to be a Therapy Dog
Is your dog friendly calm and patient? If yes, then he might be the best therapy dog! Therapy dogs help mentally and emotionally ill people support them. These dogs go to hospitals, schools, and elder facilities and help people improve their mental health. In therapy dog training, you must be patient, dedicated, and follow proper steps. Let’s start, with how to train your dog to be a therapy dog.
Table of Contents
What is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a trained dog who helps people improve their mental and emotional health. These dogs are well-trained to be relaxed and calm in different situations so that they can give comfort and companionship to people. Therapy dogs are registered with their owner and trained specially to work in various environments.
How to Start Therapy Dog Training?
1. Assess Dog’s Personality
First of all, assess your dog’s natural personality and behavior. Therapy dogs must be friendly, calm, and patient:
- Friendly Behavior: Therapy dogs should always be friendly and gentle.
- Calm Attitude: Therapy dogs should be relaxed and calm in high-stress situations.
- Patience: Should be patient during long interactions and responses.
If your dog is fit for those qualities, then he can become a great therapy dog.
2. Importance of Basic Obedience Training
Basic obedience training is a necessary foundation for therapy dog training. You have to ensure that your dog understands some basic commands like:
- Sit and Stay: These commands are helpful for calmness around people.
- Leave It: In therapy settings, these commands are very important so your dog doesn’t consume or touch anything.
- Come: This command is necessary when you want your back from any situation.
These commands are very helpful in therapy dog training.
3. Work on Socialization
Therapy dogs must be comfortable in every situation and around every person for this you have to introduce your dog to every situation like:
- Different People: Strangers, children, friendly behavior with elders.
- Unusual Environments: Hospitals, schools, and nursing homes where they encounter different smells and sounds.
- Other Animals: Therapy dogs should be calm and relaxed around other animals.
With socialization, your dog will become confident and non-reactive, which is essential for therapy sessions.
4. Get Admission to Special Therapy Training Classes
Today’s organizations and training centers especially in therapy dog training provide sessions where professionals train your dog:
- Professional Guidance: You get proper therapy techniques and scenarios.
- Certification Prep: Proper certification and proper guidance are given to therapy dogs.
- Practice Exercises: How to behave in therapy situations, they give guidance with specific exercises.
These classes are necessary for overall training and certification.
Therapy Dog Certification Process
To become an official therapy dog certification is necessary. Certification proves that your dog is properly trained for therapy environments.
Certification Requirements
- Basic Obedience Test: This test confirms if your dog follows your commands properly or not.
- Behavioral Assessment: Therapy dog should be friendly, calm, and comfortable around new people and environments.
- Health Check: A health check-up is necessary for therapy dogs for safe therapy settings.
How to Follow the Steps to Make Therapy Dog
- Patience Develop Karein: It might take time in therapy dog training, but patience and dedication are necessary.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: With regular practice, your dog will become comfortable with the therapy environment.
- Use Positive Reinforcement: With Reward-based training, you can improve your dog’s behavior.
Common Challenges in Therapy Dog Training
Therapy dog training is a demanding process. Some common challenges that you might face:
- High Distraction Environments: Therapy dogs should be calm even in busy and loud settings.
- Stranger Anxiety: Some dogs might feel anxiety with strangers, which can be overcome with socialization and training.
- Behavioral Issues: Barking, jumping, or aggressive behavior is not suitable for therapy dogs.
To solve these issues professional help might be helpful.
Therapy Dog Training Tips
- Train with Small Steps: Teach every step properly with patience.
- Make a Routine: Regular training and patience can become easy with consistency.
- Maintain Health and Fitness: Being healthy and active is necessary for the therapy dog.
FAQs
How long does it take to train a therapy dog?
Training duration depends on the learning speed and personality of the dog. Generally, it can take 6-12 months.
What is the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog?
Therapy dogs provide emotional support while service dogs assist with specific disability.
Is there an age requirement to become a therapy dog?
Yes, usually should be 1 year old for the dog to be emotionally and physically mature.
What does a therapy dog certification cost?
Certification program costs can vary on factors, average is $100-$200
What breeds are suitable for therapy dogs?
Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles are suitable for therapy dogs because they are calm and friendly.
Conclusion
To train a therapy dog patience, dedication, and correct steps are crucial. Therapy dogs help in providing comfort and happiness in life, which is a rewarding experience. Now you know how to train your dog to be a therapy dog, then start this journey and help people in improving life!
