Therapy Dogs

Comment

Comment by Winnie's Dad on April 22, 2009 at 10:15am

It is the same process with anything, you need to set up some controlled situations, and high value rewards for the behavior you want.

In this case, you could start with working on a "Leave it" command. Start with a treat on the floor, under your foot. When Dalai looks at you (not the treat) mark and reward that behavior (with a treat from your hand). Eventually, you build up to him leaving treats anywhere, and him ignoring them. For therapy dog work, it is also very important for you to not reward him by allowing him to eat the treat from the floor. Once you are strong with treats, start working on Leave it with tennis balls.
(This is all heavily compressed information, try reading "Control Unleashed" for a good discussion of Leave It: http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB943&AffiliateID=46147&Method=3)

Comment by Robin, dalai, and Parker on April 20, 2009 at 8:31pm

I would like to know how to desensitize dalai to tennis balls on walkers. How do you go about this. Dalai went after the balls on a neighbors walker during one of neighborhood walks.

Comment by Winnie's Dad on April 20, 2009 at 10:09am

Winnie is a little leary of balloons, and will sometimes growl. I've never seen them used during an evaluation, but it would be a good idea to desensitize your dog to balloons, because they are "one of those things" that you will inevitably encounter on a visit.

Another one that I have seen trip up a dog during an evaluation is if there's tennis balls on the feet of a walker being used. We didn't use that walker intentionally to mess with the team, but there it was... Luckily we had two walkers in the room, and the evaluator allowed the dog to try that part of the test again with the "ball free" walker. The team passed, but were given some strong advice to desensitize on balls.

Comment by fergie11 on April 20, 2009 at 10:06am

Jane - thanks for that thought. I'd never of thought of it either. I'm going to get some baloons and work with that. I know Fergie will think they are a big ball.

Comment by Sue Robin F on April 15, 2009 at 9:15pm

Congratulations on passing the CGC.
Moses took his TDI test about 2 years ago. The testing items I remember that differed from the CGC were that you have to walk through a narrow space between patients [actors] in wheel chairs and walkers causing a loud commotion and the dog must remain calm. In addition they throw something like a coffee can of pennies making a loud noise near you and the dog must remain calm. Moses also took the Bright and Beautiful test . In that test someone with a walker called us near them and then they suddenly threw their walker over in front of us. I did not expect it, and it truthfully startled me, but luckily Moses remained calm. However, a year later when my other dog got tested by an evaluator I knew she did not do that and the test seemed easier. It was in a classroom setting indoors. Both of Moses tests ..., TDI and Bright & Beautiful [also CGC] were given outside with crowds of people around and much more distractions.
Good luck on your TDI test. Zeke will do fine.

Comment by Winnie's Dad on April 15, 2009 at 8:40pm

Congrats on the CGC, as far as I know, the TDI test is not much more. Many places do both at once.

Comment by Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper on April 15, 2009 at 7:40pm

Zeke passed his CGC test tonight! It's on to the TDI test in May.

Comment by Linda and Hollywood on March 28, 2009 at 4:50pm

Well..we survived our 1st Therapy Dog outing....Hollywood was a little excited when we first arrived at the hospital by barking in the lobby after seeing one of her doodle friends, but then quieted down when we got to the rehab floor. She did very well and enjoyed visiting w/ the patients. She only gets overly excited when she sees another doddle. 2 more observatory outings to go!

Comment by Linda and Murphy on March 24, 2009 at 12:01pm

Thanks, Diane. I hope to tire him out a bit before we go. It is about an hour drive.
Saturday is "Murphy Day". Last Saturday we went to a garden show. We met lots of new people. He was very calm.
He seems to gravitate to older people, especially in wheelchairs and scooters. A few weeks ago when we were in the parade, he stopped at every wheelchair and sat for petting. They were pleased and so was I.
He USUALLY sits very calmly and because he is so big, his head is above the side rail of the wheelchair. The men seem to like him alot, They start petting him and talking about the dogs they had. Like most doodles, he feels so good to pet.
Thanks again.

Comment by Jersey, Jasmine, Jypsy and Diane on March 24, 2009 at 11:28am

Be care of having your dog "shake hands" unless it is very gentle. Older people have very thin skin that tears easily. Have a great time!

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