Author

Deni D.

Position

Founder & CEO

This article will explore the world of therapy dogs, including training methods and the benefits they bring to various settings.

Why check out this article?

Our Top 10 Training & Benefits tips for therapy dogs

Selecting a Candidate: Choose a therapy dog with a calm and friendly temperament. Ideal candidates are sociable, patient, and comfortable with new people and environments. Consider the dog's health and behaviour history before beginning training.

Basic Obedience: Ensure your therapy dog has solid basic obedience skills. Commands such as sit, stay, and come are essential for managing behaviour in various settings. Consistent training helps build a reliable foundation for therapy work.

Socialisation: Socialise your dog to different environments, people, and situations. This helps them adapt to various settings they might encounter as a therapy dog. Positive experiences during socialisation build confidence and reduce anxiety.

Therapy Dog Training: Enrol your dog in a specialised therapy dog training program. Training includes desensitisation to medical equipment, maintaining calm in busy environments, and gentle interaction with people. Certification from a reputable organisation can validate their training.

Handling and Control: Teach handling techniques that ensure your therapy dog remains calm and well-behaved during interactions. Practice control commands and leash techniques to manage your dog effectively in diverse settings.

Therapy Settings: Understand the various settings where therapy dogs work, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. Each environment may require different approaches and behaviours from the therapy dog.

Benefits to Patients: Recognise the emotional and psychological benefits therapy dogs provide to patients, such as reducing stress, alleviating anxiety, and offering companionship. Therapy dogs can enhance the well-being of individuals in therapeutic settings.

Volunteer Work: Engage in volunteer work with your therapy dog to bring joy and comfort to various communities. Therapy dog teams often work with organisations that facilitate visits to hospitals, schools, and senior centres.

Regular Check-ups: Ensure your therapy dog maintains good health through regular veterinary check-ups. Keep up with vaccinations, grooming, and overall health to ensure your dog is fit for therapy work.

Maintaining Certification: Renew your therapy dog’s certification as required and keep up with ongoing training to address new challenges and maintain skills. Regular practice helps sustain high standards of behaviour and performance.

From the experts: Celebrate the positive impact your therapy dog has on the lives of those they interact with. Acknowledge their hard work and dedication, and consider sharing your experiences to inspire others interested in therapy dog work.

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