Hunting Dog Training

Question by ACtimes3: I want to become a dog trainer, can I specialize in training puppies and therapy dogs?
I am looking into ABC (Animal Behavior College) to study dog training. I was wondering if I can specialize in training puppies and therapy dogs? Is there a demand for this?

Best answer:

Answer by Borders Rock
I would suggest that you first become a “regular” dog trainer. You need years of experiance in order to specialize, just like in any other profession. There are MANY MANY methods of training out there and you first have to choose the one that you feel is best for the dogs and yourself. There is the “correction method”, the “clicker method” the “purely positive method” and that is just to name a few. You first have to understand all the various methods and decide which you feel is most appropriate. Once you do that, teach dogs of all ages for a few years successfully and then specialize.
Puppies ALWAYS need training so there will be a never ending supply of students if you are good at what you do.
Therapy Dogs – that rather depends upon what you consider a “therapy dog”. Are you talking about the ones that visit hospitals and nursing homes and participate in the “read to children” programs? If so, there is no specialized training involved. Either the dog has the right personality and training through the regular channels or he/she doesn’t. My older Border Collie is a certified St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog up here in Canada. All that was required was “testing” – for temperament and obedience and reaction to “strange” circumstances and loud noises. Temperament cannot be taught. It’s there or not…behavior can be modified but not temperament….Also, most Therapy Dog programs do not want “young” puppies and dogs. I believe that here the dog must be a minimum of 2 years old before it can be tested. This does NOT fit in well with your “puppy” scheme – unless you continue on with older dogs once they are out of your puppy class.
If, by Therapy Dog, you mean “service dogs” to the blind, deaf, physically impaired…that is a different story. All the various agencies for these dogs will have quite strict requirements (I imagine – I have never needed to check) and will more than likely require years of proven experience before they will train you to train these special working dogs.
Good luck….I love to hear that someone is interested in making the dog’s life (and owner’s life) a most enjoyable experience!

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Question by Nicole: How do I go about training and certifying a dog to be a therapy dog?
Hopefully in the near future, my fiance and I are looking to get a puppy and I have always wanted to be able to go into hospitals, especially childrens hospitals, with my dog and give those kids a better experience.

We’re looking to get a Lab, Boxer, or German Shep. (Unless something else comes across out paths.) We live in SE Wisconsin, right around Milwaukee.

So basically, I’m looking for any and all information I can get about therapy dog training and certification.

Best answer:

Answer by YouHave2BeKidding
Visit a couple of the therapy dog websites.

Here are a couple of United States based groups.

Therapy Dogs International (TDI)

Love on a Leash

Delta Society

Therapy work is very rewarding.

Some hospitals have restrictions on breeds. I visit a major trauma center near Los Angeles, CA.
They DO NOT allow Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers of Dobermans, no matter what.

That is the only facility I have visited so far that had those restrictions.

Your dog will need to be able to get his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) as well as some additional requirements from the threapy groups.

My dogs are certified through TDI, who seem to be a little more costly with their membership fees and yearly veterinary tests.

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by Nicole: How do I go about training and certifying a dog to be a therapy dog?
Hopefully in the near future, my fiance and I are looking to get a puppy and I have always wanted to be able to go into hospitals, especially childrens hospitals, with my dog and give those kids a better experience.

We’re looking to get a Lab, Boxer, or German Shep. (Unless something else comes across out paths.) We live in SE Wisconsin, right around Milwaukee.

So basically, I’m looking for any and all information I can get about therapy dog training and certification.

Best answer:

Answer by YouHave2BeKidding
Visit a couple of the therapy dog websites.

Here are a couple of United States based groups.

Therapy Dogs International (TDI)

Love on a Leash

Delta Society

Therapy work is very rewarding.

Some hospitals have restrictions on breeds. I visit a major trauma center near Los Angeles, CA.
They DO NOT allow Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers of Dobermans, no matter what.

That is the only facility I have visited so far that had those restrictions.

Your dog will need to be able to get his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) as well as some additional requirements from the threapy groups.

My dogs are certified through TDI, who seem to be a little more costly with their membership fees and yearly veterinary tests.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Question by Nicole: How do I go about training and certifying a dog to be a therapy dog?
Hopefully in the near future, my fiance and I are looking to get a puppy and I have always wanted to be able to go into hospitals, especially childrens hospitals, with my dog and give those kids a better experience.

We’re looking to get a Lab, Boxer, or German Shep. (Unless something else comes across out paths.) We live in SE Wisconsin, right around Milwaukee.

So basically, I’m looking for any and all information I can get about therapy dog training and certification.

Best answer:

Answer by YouHave2BeKidding
Visit a couple of the therapy dog websites.

Here are a couple of United States based groups.

Therapy Dogs International (TDI)

Love on a Leash

Delta Society

Therapy work is very rewarding.

Some hospitals have restrictions on breeds. I visit a major trauma center near Los Angeles, CA.
They DO NOT allow Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers of Dobermans, no matter what.

That is the only facility I have visited so far that had those restrictions.

Your dog will need to be able to get his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) as well as some additional requirements from the threapy groups.

My dogs are certified through TDI, who seem to be a little more costly with their membership fees and yearly veterinary tests.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Question by Nicole: How do I go about training and certifying a dog to be a therapy dog?
Hopefully in the near future, my fiance and I are looking to get a puppy and I have always wanted to be able to go into hospitals, especially childrens hospitals, with my dog and give those kids a better experience.

We’re looking to get a Lab, Boxer, or German Shep. (Unless something else comes across out paths.) We live in SE Wisconsin, right around Milwaukee.

So basically, I’m looking for any and all information I can get about therapy dog training and certification.

Best answer:

Answer by YouHave2BeKidding
Visit a couple of the therapy dog websites.

Here are a couple of United States based groups.

Therapy Dogs International (TDI)

Love on a Leash

Delta Society

Therapy work is very rewarding.

Some hospitals have restrictions on breeds. I visit a major trauma center near Los Angeles, CA.
They DO NOT allow Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers of Dobermans, no matter what.

That is the only facility I have visited so far that had those restrictions.

Your dog will need to be able to get his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) as well as some additional requirements from the threapy groups.

My dogs are certified through TDI, who seem to be a little more costly with their membership fees and yearly veterinary tests.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!