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How to Train Your Dog to Help Others
Ms. Wendy
Star Educator
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(73)
In this course, learners will be informed how to prepare their dog to be a therapy dog.
Class experience
Have you ever petted a dog when you were upset and felt immediately better? Spending time with a therapy dog has a positive effect on people's pain and distress. Further, the presence of an animal can significantly increase positive social behaviors in people with emotional needs. In this class, learners will prepare their dog to help others. They will learn strategies in teaching their dogs to be calm, obedient and well mannered. Also, learners who have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) or...
Students will learn how to train their dogs how to be able to pass a therapy dog test or good canine citizen test. Students will receive instruction about the difference between therapy dogs, service dogs and emotional support animals. We will use positive reinforcement to train our pets. Each class will consist of 2 or 3 skills and students will practice in the class and during the week. At the end of the class, we will have a practice therapy dog test. Students will learn the qualifications to become certified as a therapy dog team and learn about therapy dog organizations.
I have been using my dogs as therapy dogs for 10 years. I am a Certified Dog Trainer, an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator and tester observer with Alliance of Therapy Dogs and Independent Therapy Dogs. In addition, I have trained and certified five therapy dogs of my own.
Homework Offered
Students will practice with their dogs the commands we learn in class at home individually. The students should practice at least 15 to 20 minutes per day with the dog.1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
The learners will be assessed informally by observation by the teacher. If dog teams are doing commands incorrectly, the teacher will model and reteach the correct procedures to do commands. In addition, there will be a practice therapy dog test on the last day of the class in which teacher will model skill and learner and dog will practice.Grades Offered
Dogs should have basic training previous to this course. The dogs should be able to sit, stay, come when called, leave it and loose leash walk. Dogs must be at least 1 year old to be certified for therapy dogs. Various therapy dog organizations do accept junior handlers but a guardian or parent must accompany them on their visits. Learners will need their own dog and delicious dog treats to participate in the class.
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Not all dogs are suitable therapy dogs or have the temperament to pass a CGC test or therapy dog test. They are unpredictable and may not always perform desired commands. Space is needed to do training. This class is not a guarantee for your child and dog to pass any therapy dog test of CGC evaluation. Also, an important note is that a therapy dog certification and Canine Good Citizen test has to be done in person and students will have to find an evaluator in their area.
These are for reference only. Alliance of Therapy Dogs website, Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs website, Independent Therapy Dogs website, International Therapy Dogs, Inc. website, CGC (Canine Good Citizen) website.
I teach great dog training classes such as basic obedience, therapy dog training, trick training, puppy potty training, and puppy training. I have fun classes such as Puppy Paw Training Camp and Play with Your Dog which learners learn how to...
Group Class
$40
for 5 classes1x per week, 5 weeks
50 min
Completed by 6 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
6-10 learners per class
