Therapy Dog Training - A Healer-Dog's Training

Therapy dog training is given to a special kind of dog that provide company and warmth to the sick and the elderly. Seeing specially trained dogs assist the blind or do chores for the deaf or those who are disabled or in wheelchairs is no longer uncommon these days. Seeing eye dogs lead blind people walk the streets while assistance dogs or service dogs are trained to pick up light objects, open and close doors, push light switches and do other "small" tasks that disable persons can no longer do.

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The orientation given to a therapy dog is different from the ones given to seeing-eye dogs and assistance dogs. Therapy dogs are not required to do physical help to disabled individuals, but they are brought up to provide comfort and companionship to them. They are trained in specialized training classes. Many health professionals have learned to appreciate the contribution of therapy dogs to the emotional healing of disabled individuals.

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Common dogs are normally uncomfortable with strangers. Some may not like the presence of kids or rowdy children while some others don't like to be with people in wheelchairs, walkers or crutches. These types of canines do not qualify to become a therapy dogs. Dogs that are groomed to for therapy service are carefully selected, because they need to have the temperament to be able to be around different kinds of people with different kinds of clumsiness and awkward petting styles because of their disability.

One of the trainings given to a would-be therapy service dog is crawling up on laps or onto beds in order to provide "closeness" to their master who may be bedridden. For ordinary dogs, this act may seem abnormal as they are even taught not to climb on furniture. Ordinary pets which their master choose to become therapy dogs should undergo a reverse training to make them abandon past skills that are contrary to their upcoming duties.

The Selection Process

Dogs intended to perform therapy services are carefully and meticulously selected. Their jobs are very delicate that only the gentle, very friendly, calm and those that don't mind being with strangers are qualified. Most trainers prefer golden retrievers to because of their superb temperament.

There are also other animals that qualify to provide companionship, like rabbits, cats, and even ponies, but that's a different subject.

A disable person is not just physically sick. He is also wasting slowly emotionally. The mere companionship provided by a dedicated pet to a sick person is a good emotional mender and pain easier. The devoted companionship that therapy dogs provide their sickly master will be a priceless memory that his sick friend will carry to the end.

Therapy Dog Training - A Healer-Dog's Training

Training a dog to improve its behavior is not an easy task, but it is not an impossible one. Stan Beck is offering to help with his free Dog Training Guide. You can also get dog training ideas by visiting his free dog training website.

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