Collar Question

[Diana Erhart]

Charlie is in a therapy dog training class and we go on our trial therapy visit this Tuesday.  This is for a test called therapets run through a very large rescue here in Pittsburgh.  Charlie is doing great and is turning out to be the "hit" of the class.  He has his CGC so I knew he would do fine with the obedience portion.  The instructors think he is "so cute" but I am sometimes embarrassed by his antics.  The first time he was introduced to a wheelchair, the goal was to make the dogs comfortable around the equipment.  Charlie just jumped up and sat in it like he was the king of the class.  When we did a simulated visit the instructors wanted him to jump up in the chair beside the wheelchair to be petted.  He jumped right up to get petted (good) but then wouldn't leave.  And now every time we go into the room for class he jumps up on any chair and just sits there waiting for attention.  For the simulation of reading with children programs, he went right up to the bean bag, crawled in and cuddled up with the person (good).  But then again, refused to willingly leave.  Guess I need to work on that "come" command a little bit more.  Anyway, I digressed….  One of the things the instructor mentioned was that we may want to consider having a collar and leash that we only use for therapy visits.  That way the dog may start to associate the collar with his "work".  Also, the collar would stay cleaner.  Do any of you do this?  I am thinking it is a good idea even if just for the sanitary part of it but wondered if the more "standard" therapy groups require this.

[BG and Gavin]

Your story about Charlie is making me giggle.  What a precious clown he is!

Re:  collar - Yes, I have a "fancy" collar and leash that I use only for therapy work.  That combined with his therapy bandana and special treats that I reserve only for therapy work combine to create a routine I think that lets him know what we are going to be doing and the heightened expectations on him.  I can't say scientifically if it makes a difference, but I would like to think it puts us both in the proper frame of mind, plus I have his special tag and a nice name tag on that collar that I don't have to switch out.