Therapy Dog Training
A therapy dog is a dog that is specially trained to have exceptional manners and a calm, soothing demeanor. This dog serves others (not it's handler) by providing comfort with it's presence. Some examples of a Therapy dog would be a dog that visits nursing homes, or hospitals.
​
​
These dogs are chosen out of the litter specifically for their purpose by conducting a temperament evaluation on the entire litter around 7 weeks of age. It is important to choose a dog that has a naturally calm and confident demeanor. A good therapy dog should be controlled, but also engaging and interactive. If we take a dog with a naturally excited and uxuberant temperament and ask him to be controlled, he will instinctively avoid eye contact and display other avoidant behaviors in order to help him control himself, effectively asking the dog to modify who he or she is, making therapy work not enjoyable but stressful.
When we choose a dog who is naturally suited for their job, the job seems easy and manageable to them, creating joy in their work!
Allison and "Ruby" the Therapy Dog acting as a distraction team during another dog's Service Dog Public Access Test.
Want to train your own Therapy dog? Scroll down for more details..
Once we choose the correct puppy, we must start with effective early socilization. Because a therapy dog upon completion will need to visit public locations, they require just as much effective puppy socilization as a Service Dog. This can be complex when puppies are not fully vaccinated and shouldn't be walking around in public locations, due to the risk of exposure. At this stage, we use puppy strollers and backpacks to provide superior socilization, with constant interaction to ensure that puppy isn't feeling fearful and if he/she does that we are ready to counteract the stimuli and help our puppy work through fear effectively.
​
Most puppies are ready to enter more formal leash work and obedience around 5 months of age and typically master this program in a month. Then, they enter the practical application stage of training- taking their obedience and using it in environments similar to their planned work space.
During this month we begin the process of transitioning the dog over to the owner, with weekly meet ups we begin to transition the dog into your home. At this point the dog is around 7-8 months of age.
​
For the next month we continue to meet up with the Handler and Dog to assist with the transition. At completion we help you fill out your application for therapy certification and your AKC Canine Good Citizen test completed, then assist you with your Therapy Test, the final step to certification!
We take you all the way through the process, from choosing the correct puppy, training and certification. This full service program takes all of the guess work out of raising and training an exceptional Therapy dog. And with our lifetime support, you can be certain that your therapy dog will be in tip top shape to serve your community- long term.
​
Interested in leaning more about our Therapy Dog training program? Please give us a call or shoot us a text at 512-786-5373!
​
​
Want to train your own therapy dog?
Did you know that the first 6 months of a puppy's life is the equivalent of the first 18 years of a person's life!?!? That means their habits, temperament, energy level and attitude are all solidified based on their experiences and interactions during those first 6 months! Did you know that by modifying their experiences you can actually mold and shape their personality, energy level, attitude and habits!?!
INTRODUCING the Service and Therapy Puppy Raising Program! Designed to produce high end working dogs, but also ideal for Hunting, Sporting dogs and Family Companion dogs as well.
This program sends you weekly emails with videos, product list and detailed descriptions of the professional training techniques that we use to build high end working dog puppies so that you can do it yourself at home! Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, but teach him how to fish and feed him for a lifetime! When you learn these puppy raising tools and begin to understand advanced concepts and terminology of the professional training industry you will not only produce a much more well rounded dog, but you will advance your knowledge and communication skills and take this forward into the lifelong relationship with this dog, other dogs you meet and any future puppies you raise!
Whether you are a self training a Service Dog candidate, want a superior Therapy Dog to volunteer with, a highly balanced and driven Hunting dog, or a calm and emotionally intelligent family pet, this program gives you the skills to mold your puppy into the best version it can possibly be! This program has two options- the do it entirely yourself version, or weekly meetups with the trainer to walk you through the process. Contact me by texting 512-786-5373 to find out more about this new program!
Puppy Training is only the beginning! We also offer an E-course for Therapy dog Self Trainers- This program includes:
​
1. Weekly homework emails with detailed instructions, videos and list of recommended products as well as explanation of terminology and training philosophy. This explanation helps you to read your dog and understand why he does what he does and know how to respond in the real world when new stimuli or situations are presented.
2. Weekly training appointments in person to help you work out any kinks or ask any questions you may have. Along with unlimited access to your Trainer via phone and text for questions that arise in between.
3. Weekly quizzes to help asses your knowledge of the material and determine if you need additional assistance with any of the material before you head to take your official tests to become certified as a handler team!
4. Assistance in training specifically to pass the Therapy dog Test! You must complete your AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing before you can go through the process of completing Therapy Dog Certification. We know exactly what is involved in these tests and can help to prepare you and your dog so that you can become certified on the first go around! No guessing or searching in the dark, we walk you through the entire process, from start to finish!