Training for Therapy Dog Work: Making a Positive Impact

You’ve probably seen therapy dogs in action. These furry frolickers are the trusted companions of humans who visit schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. In a nutshell, therapy dogs accompany their caring and socially responsible owners to places where they can make a positive impact.

If you’re looking to deploy in these settings with your canine commando, stick around. We’re giving you the definitive mission briefing on therapy dog training.

Qualities of an Ideal Therapy Dog

For starters, your dog needs to be healthy. After all, they’ll be around lots of people and in many settings where activity may be necessary.

There are also personality characteristics your dog must have. Because of the social demands of being a therapy dog, your pal must have a calm, even temperament and respond when called. So, make sure your furry friend has off-leash training down.

Basic Obedience Training

Before specialized training, be sure to check your dog’s obedience. Besides responding to your call, your pup must be able to follow basic commands like sit, stay, and come. Training your dog to perform based on these commands will take consistency and positive reinforcement if you want the behaviors to stick.

Socialization and Exposure

Getting your dog used to the unexpected is crucial, and that means spending time in all sorts of places with all sorts of people. Take them to hardware stores where carts make weird noises. You can also visit friends who use walkers or wheelchairs.

Once your dog can remain calm in these settings, let them get used to sudden movements and strange sounds. After all, the more they experience now, the less likely they’ll be thrown off later.

Specialized Therapy Dog Training

Once your dog gets through obedience and socialization boot camp, it’s time for specialized therapy dog training.

During training, your dog needs to learn unique skills like how to gently rest their head on someone’s lap on command. If your pup will be a therapy dog for hospitals, it must be able to navigate around medical equipment without turning it into a game of dodge-the-IV-pole.

Your canine commando should also be comfortable with being touched in strange ways and staying calm when people around them are stressed or emotional.

Certification Process

Has your pupper passed therapy dog training? Now, it’s time for certification.

Be sure to get certifications only from recognized organizations. Besides the American Kennel Club, you can also check out certifications offered by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

Expect your pal to be tested for obedience and skill. Evaluators will also check your ability to handle your soon-to-be therapy pupper.

Handling Techniques

When it comes to success in therapy work, it’s all about reading your dog like a book. You need to spot the subtle signs that they’re getting tired or stressed before anyone else notices.

Smooth leash handling and body language will also be vital. Done well, these skills will help you guide your dog without looking like you’re giving commands.

Health and Grooming Standards

Your therapy dog needs to be squeaky clean and healthy — no exceptions. That means regular vet visits, immunizations, pristine and regular grooming, and avoiding seasonal health hazards.

Think of it like maintaining military equipment. Except, in this instance, your equipment has a wagging tail, loves belly rubs, and can prompt you to call a local dog waste removal service.

The Importance of Emotional Preparation for Handlers

Here’s something almost nobody will tell you:

Therapy work can be emotionally heavy. You’ll see people on their hardest days. And your dog might spend time with kids who are seriously ill or elderly folks who are lonely.

It’s rewarding work. With that said, be aware that it can take a toll, so make sure you’re ready for that emotional weight.

Building a Routine

When you’re planning your therapy visits, remember that this is tiring work for your dog. Your canine companion needs downtime between visits to, well, just be a dog.

This means letting your pal run in the yard, play with their toys, and yes, doing their business (just in time for you to contact us for our poop pick-up services).

Legal Considerations

There’s nothing fun about paperwork — but like doing taxes or dog waste removal, it has to be done.

You’ll need insurance coverage, and you’ll need to understand the rules about patient privacy and facility policies. There may also be different requirements for each place you visit, so stay organized.

Make a Pawsitive Impact with Your Pal

As a therapy duo, you and your dog will be giving available services to people who need support. While you and your dog prepare for the rewarding journey of therapy work, let Scoop Soldiers take care of the messy details at home.

Visit us to schedule professional pet waste removal for a clean and hygienic environment for your therapy dog in training. Focus on making a positive impact while we handle the cleanup!