therapy dog

[kelina]

In about 6-8 more months" I'm getting shadow to be a therapy dog ! She is smart, obedient, caring and I know she can do it !

I decided this when I started training her, I seen her confidence build up especially after using the prong. As continuing to use the prong, in about a couple months she will be ready!

[jae]

My trainer certifies therapy dogs and CGC. You can test both at the same time but I am pretty sure CGC is a requirement as well as the dog being at least 12 months old.

She thinks that my dog is a perfect candidate for therapy as he is comfortable with every piece of equipment she has brought out during puppy class as well as loud noises and he does not jump or over react to strangers. Is friendly to every dog and human and has never shown aggression that I or she has ever seen. One thing she noted when I was trying prongs for trainin is that if you use a prong during the test, the score must e perfect or fail. I rarely use prong but just saying. Keep working on obedience and confidence and your dog will do well!

[Quinnsmom]

I don't know about the regulations surrounding use of the prong in CGC testing but I do know that therapy dog oranizations in Canada will not permit use of a prong during visiting for fear of the elderly injuring their hands while interacting with dogs. Their skin is very fragile and many are taking anti-coagulants which make them bleed easily.

[Kdrees]

I actually read the regs for the CGC test today and you are not allowed to use a prong collar, it must be a buckle or slip collar - FYI


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[kelina]

Im not gonna use a prong when gettin her certified. I have to wait until she knows how to walk better thats when I will take her to get certified..

My pup is already 6 months, so I said I have to wait 6-8 months.

And thanks a lot Jae! You should get your dog

[martemchik]

Just a note...TDI certification is more like an insurance policy than the title of "therapy dog." We have a lot of dogs at our club that go to schools and retirement communities without it because its like a $40 fee every year for pretty much liability insurance that your dog won't scratch someone.

I'm not trying to say you don't need to get the certification, but most places could care less and don't ask for those things anyways. They just kind of expect that you won't bring a dangerous dog into a group of children or elderly people.

[doggiedad]

do you think you need the help of a professional trainer? how
do you know your dog can be a therapy dog? do you know
what kind of training your dog needs to become a therapy
dog?

Originally Posted by kelina

In about 6-8 more months" I'm getting shadow to be a therapy dog ! She is smart, obedient, caring and I know she can do it !

I decided this when I started training her, I seen her confidence build up especially after using the prong. As continuing to use the prong, in about a couple months she will be ready!

[kelina]

Originally Posted by doggiedad

do you think you need the help of a professional trainer? how
do you know your dog can be a therapy dog? do you know
what kind of training your dog needs to become a therapy
dog?

Yes I know the trainings. I do know she can be. Im confident in myself, so unless I feel like I need one then sure.

[kelina]

Originally Posted by martemchik

Just a note...TDI certification is more like an insurance policy than the title of "therapy dog." We have a lot of dogs at our club that go to schools and retirement communities without it because its like a $40 fee every year for pretty much liability insurance that your dog won't scratch someone.

I'm not trying to say you don't need to get the certification, but most places could care less and don't ask for those things anyways. They just kind of expect that you won't bring a dangerous dog into a group of children or elderly people.

Seriously :O

[martemchik]

Therapy dog is just an obedient, calm, confident dog. It's just a certification that says your dog can go places like shelters, schools, retirement homes, ect. and make people feel better with its presence. I don't want to down play it but it's really something a well behaved, highly obedient dog can do. It is difficult to do it when the dog is young though so props to OP for doing it that young.

I'm pretty sure you cannot do the test with a prong collar on. Or pretty much any correction collar. It is usually done on a flat collar right along the CGC. Not sure who gave you the information that with a prong they would need a perfect score but its is pretty much like an AKC trial...no prongs allowed.