Therapy Dog Training?

[Solomon]

Anyone's rott trained as a therapy dog? What did the training entail, etc.

Thanks

[mmgy]

My therapy dog is a beagle mix, but we work with a therapy rott at a home for severely handicapped children and adults. I'm sure you'll get some more qualified answers, but the first thing is to get your CGC (Canine Good Citizen). You can look that up on the AKC's site. The next step is certification by a group such as TDI or Delta. My dog is not certified, never will be at her age, but I'm interested as well in which group is preferred by this list.

M2

[kaylynn143]

Both of my dogs have been recently certified with TDI. Merlin just passed December 23rd.(what a Xmas present :D We do therapy in conjunction with the local humane society and all their dogs are TDI certified. I think the reason they went with TDI instead of Delta is because there is no local Delta examiner.

The TDI test is basically the CGC test with two additional tests (Leave it and reaction to a wheelchair or such equipment). When Merlin and I tested, the trainer also had us go through some additional tests (reaction to a 'drunk' person, reaction to person on crutches, reaction additional loud or unexpected noises and movements). Of course he handled it all with great style & wiggling of the big bumm.

The pet therapy director is so glad that we are going to be part of the group since most of the dogs are small or toy breed. She hasn't been able to visit some facilities (Lively children with learning/behavior problems) where 'most' smaller dogs are overwhelmed and not robust enough (her words) to handle the situations they can be but in physically.

[RottiMomCT]

Ben and I were certified through Delta Society on 9/15/01. Talk about stressful!

He loves doing the therapy work...actually he sits or stand there while people pet him and talkto him (he's a good listener). He and I spent a weekend at Paul Newmans 'Hole In The Wall Gang Camp' this past summer (he didn't understand how excited I was to get to meet Paul Newman...he got to jump in a lake with alot of kids...that was his fun!).

Anyways, through Delta Society, it is basically the CGC test, with several other 'clinical setting' distractions tossed in. Evaluators want to see how both handler and dog interact and how dog reacts to distractions. TDI and Delta Society both evaluate you and the dog as a team to see how you work together.

I think I was more nervous than Ben!!

Alot of people are a bit put off by Rotties doing Therapy work...but those that accept the dogs are excpetionally blessed by a calm happy well adjusted canine who just wants to give some love to people and help reduce stress.

First step for TDI and Delta Society is the CGC test, although some TDI evaluators offer CGC and/or Therapy Dog evals at the same time.

Check the AKC (www.akc.org) for details. I forget the links for TDI and Delta Society but they'll be able to tell you exactly what is expected.

Keep in mind that Therapy Dog work is stressful...for you and your dog, so don't overdo it. Ben and I visit twice a month maximum, and he's exhausted afterwards...it's like he absorbs the stress of the people he visits with...

[kaylynn143]

The link for Delta Society is:

http://www.deltasociety.org/

The link for Therapy Dog International is:

http://www.tdi-dog.org/

Hope these help.

RottiMomCT, were do you guys go? I am still trying to think of different places that will fit each of my dogs and myself.