Passed CGC today, what's next?

[fergie11]

Interested in therapy work with Fergie. We took the CGC today and she passed with flying colors. The evaluator that had the station on separation just loved her. He had to stay with her while I was gone and when i came to get her he said i should go further with her - probably look into Therapy stuff. I want to do that - so what do i do next?

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Zeke just passed his CGC this past Wed. What we are doing is scheduling to take the Therapy Dog International test in May. TDI is the testing group in our area, but there are several organizations all over the country. Delta is a group that several here on Doodle Kisses work through. Check the Therapy Dog web sites to see who is in your area. The organization you choose will test you and your dog and get you started. ( The TDI test is very similar to the CGC with a few added elements and should be no trouble if the CGC was easy for you ) Good Luck as you share your wonderful dog!

[fergie11]

Thank you for this info. I'm so pleased. I found out the next TDI test is very close to my house on May 2. I'm going to take Fergie to it. This has helped so much. I read the info for the TDI test and the only thing that might be a problem is the Leave It thing with food. She shows no aggression at all but might want to go get it. What did they use for this? We've got a little time to work on it anyway. Thanks again.
I suppose after we pass they will tell me how to go do visits and things. Do you go alone at first or with other dogs? I'm excited about all this - can you tell?

[Adina P]

Alone or with other dogs depends on if you have an active group. I would want to go in a group so you have support. Here in my town I was the only Delta registered therapy team...so we went alone. Since then I've encouraged a few others and we have more Delta dogs but we each do our own thing.

Rosco's biggest trouble was "leave it" with a toy...I thought he did AWFUL at that part and if it were me I wouldn't have passed him!

If you join our Therapy Group on here you'll read his story.

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

For the TDI test I observed they used a fairly large piece of cooked hamburger as the "leave it" lure. The good thing is that your can talk to your dog all during the test and give the leave it command way before she acts like she is interested in the item. After the TDI test you will be given information about how to register to get your credentials and possible visit sites. TDI requires 3 supervised visits, then you can either join a group to visit together or go it alone or any combination. Keep practicing, you and Fergie will do great!

[Winnie's Dad]

Find out if there is an active group of Delta Society, TDI, TD, Inc. or whatever near you. It is much easier if there's an established group because you can get some mentoring, plus you won't have to do the foundation work to get in the door of many facilities. Some groups even offer classes.

This is a pretty good book: http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTH121&AffiliateID=46...
although some of the things she teaches go against Delta rules.

In the meantime, keep socializing Fergie. One of my favorite places to socialize Winnie was outside of the public library. Strip malls are good too. Once you figure out which test you'll be taking, work on the items in the test.

[Eva]

Congratulations on Fergie! Even the person who tested for the CGC could point you in the right direction to get you tested out for therapy work. Read all the posting's on here, they have some trials and tribulations. The guy that tested me off, had me go with him to 3 visits, which were in a decrepid nursing home. It was horribly sad for me, and I thought my dog was too rambunctious to do that kind of work, so I was disappointed. Then I lucked into a situation and went to an assisted living home who always needs volunteers and we made up our own ball therapy, playing catch with the tennis ball. My dog will retrieve it anywhere and put it in their laps, do tricks, etc. She's not much of a cuddler. It's fun getting to know the residents there and to see how much they look forward to the visits is amazing. Before you go for therapy testing also do your vet check up, and updated vaccines, plus they require a stool sample to make sure she is worm free. Best of luck, looking forward to seeing how well you do and where you find a home.... Also if you read some of my earlier posts, some places like hospitals, or hospices, etc. take a long time with paperwork to get passed and approved and have sometimes up to 36 hours of training programs. Each place is different and here in Las Vegas, they go as far as a background check, fingerprints and sometimes drug testing. Eva

[Eva]

p.s. about the leave it, that was one thing they didn't test out with any kind of food or dog toy. she knows it, but wasnt' tested on it. If you get a chance to be around people in a wheelchair, or crutches, or kids in wagons. All active distractions are great like at a park, people skating by etc.