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Post by Jenni on Aug 19, 2015 11:35:23 GMT -5
My SIL recently took her dog through obedience class and then passed the "Good Citizen" test. She was told by her obedience instructor that she could now take her dog to nursing homes, schools, etc. but when she posted this on facebook someone questioned her so she called AKC and they said he has to get therapy dog certification first.
My question ... Is there a difference between just taking them to visit and calling it therapy? I am wondering if she is ok to go to schools and such as a day brightener versus actually calling it therapy? For example a teacher I work with takes her cat to the library for kids to read to it - not really therapy just something to motivate them to read and bring a smile to there face. I am just thinking the obedience person was right if you were just going somewhere to visit.
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Post by Idaho Linda on Aug 19, 2015 17:30:13 GMT -5
I think there are also requirements for bathing, etc. I also think there are too many certifications and requirements and so on. Luckily, my dog lives in North Idaho and can pretty much go wherever I take her.
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Post by Kit on Aug 20, 2015 0:24:54 GMT -5
CGC (Canine Good Citizen) is a good stepping stone for therapy testing. The testing for a therapy dog is a bit more involved, where getting a CGC is pretty easy. To pass the TD dog test, they have to do all the steps for a CGC, plus accept people on crutches or in a wheel chair, ignore (or at least not dive for) food on the floor, wait politely at doorways, react calmly to a loud noise, and there are a couple others tests I'm forgetting.
With the CGC, they have to sit politely for a 'polite stranger' to approach and 'examine' them (act like they are going to brush them, and look at their paws & ears, like a vet, or groomer would) Walk on a loose leash thru a "crowd" (usually 2-4 people) demonstrate a sit & a down. Sit or down while the handler walks 10' away and returns, then sit or down while the handlers walks 20' away and comes when called. Then they have to stay with a 'polite stranger' while their handler goes out of sight for 3 minutes. MOST dogs with basic obedience training can pass a CGC test. Nick passed it twice. Rosie passed it 4 times, and recently got her advanced CGC. Frankie has passed it 3 times, the first being at 5 months old, and she also got her advanced CGC. Rikki has ALMOST passed hers, she can do everything, except the 3 minute separation.
I was going looking into certifying one of my dogs as a therapy dog when my mom was in the nursing home last year. Looking at all the requirements, I decided Rosie was the most qualified and most likely to pass the test. I even had her signed up to take the test just a couple weeks before mom passed away...so I didn't get down to do it.
By doing the testing, someone else is saying that, yes, this dog is well behaved, well mannered and safe to visit children, or nursing homes, or whatever. Rather than me saying "oh yeah, my dog is great"...and then something unwanted happens.
If the dog is registered thru AKC, they can also earn titles after so many visits.
There are other programs that aren't "Therapy" where dogs are often invited. There is one called "Reading with Rover" where the dog goes into classrooms and kids 'read' to the dog instead of people. Some kids are more relaxed reading to dogs than people.
But, just earning their CGC does not gain them access to anywhere or anything.
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Post by Idaho Linda on Aug 20, 2015 10:57:46 GMT -5
I knew you would have all the details. Thanks!
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Post by Jenni on Aug 21, 2015 11:22:10 GMT -5
I figured Kit would know. It sounds like different places have different rules. Locally, my SIL's school says it must be a certified therapy dog but another friend who works in a nursing home says they just have to be current on shots.
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Post by snelson on Aug 21, 2015 13:32:21 GMT -5
My dog Max could pass, mostly. I think his only issue would be staying with the stranger when I am out of sight. He keeps his eyes on me to see how he is supposed to behave. The little 2 yr old girl across the street loves Max and will tell him "down" so I will give him the hand command for down so she thinks he is listening to her. Then he will lay flat out while she is crawling all over him checking his ears and his eyes and his teeth...all the while he is watching me to be sure it is okay for the little girl to do that. She never hurts him or gets right in his face. As soon as she says she is finished and stands up away from him I give him the free command and he gets right up and stands next to me. So if I disappeared for 2 to 3 minutes he may forget he is supposed to stay there....although he is good with the stay command...
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Post by Frostym on Sept 5, 2015 12:46:53 GMT -5
So interesting to hear the different requirements and how your dogs do. Kit, you and your dogs are amazing.
I took my English cocker spaniel through a course of obedience training when I was eleven. It lasted six weeks. When it was over my dog would do all the commands, sit, down, stay, heel with either/or voice and hand signals. There was a little trial at the end of the class where the dogs had to perform well to get their Companion Dog (CD) certificate. My doggy, Brac, did everything perfectly except for a break he took from heeling to sniff and pee to mark his territory. Thank goodness he did get his certificate. Good Dog. We failed to get the next degree. I could command him to jump a hurdle or retrieve an object, but I failed to be able to teach him to jump the hurdle and retrieve the object. How would you experts do this with your dogs and how would you break him of marking his territory? Thanks for the info.
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