START EARLY!  Regardless of what goals or expectations we may or may not have for our dogs puppy training and socialization should begin as early as possible. Mothers set rules, boundaries and limitations for their pups right from birth and so must we to assure their happiness – always in a calm, consistent, pro-active manner – (see Leadership) regardless of size or breed. The earlier training begins the easier it will be (see our puppy section) but older dogs, even dogs with behavioral issues, with a little more time and effort to varying degrees, can be trained effectively as well. Habits, good and bad, form early and not all dogs, regardless of training, have the innate aptitude to be safe, effective and happy therapy dogs but it’s not always as difficult as many people think - IF the handler is willing to be consistent.

All Angel Paws/Pet Partners® TEAMS (1 animal, 1 handler) must pass a 22 part skills and aptitude test by a licensed evaluator. BOTH animals AND handlers are scored both separately and as a TEAM in terms of how they interact with each other at the same time they are interacting with others in a variety of situations. Dogs must be at least 1 year old and have lived with their owner for at least 6 months to be evaluated.  
 
While preparing your dog for Therapy Dog work it's very important to remember that this is the ONLY activity - including recreational sports or competitions - that requires your dog to be comfortable sustaining 10 to 20 minutes of personal and/or even intimate interaction with stranger after stranger for a prolonged period of time - usually 1 to 2 hours (2 hours maximum!). This is not natural for any dog no matter how friendly, well socialized or even well trained but when properly prepared our therapy dogs do enjoy and look forward to working in this capacity with great enthusiasm!

PROFESSIONAL HELP  (Please see our own Dog Training Position Statement & Angel Paws Therapy Dog Training Course pages too)  Appropriate clicker training - based on scientific research - is very effective (especially for the finer points of positioning, targeting, and other visiting skills) but it is important to learn these techniques from a reputable professional clicker trainer, practice them precisely as recommended and appropriately phase out both clicker and intermittent treat rewards ASAP. No clickers, toys or treats are allowed during the evaluation and treats or toys are only sparingly allowed on visits for social purposes only rather than for training, lure or control. (eg. client offers treat simply to bond, or throws a ball to play as part of therapy or recreation.)  It is also important to note that clickers are not mandatory even in clicker training classes.  Distinctive verbal markers reserved ONLY for the situations when a clicker would be used may be substituted for a clicker if dogs are overly sensitive to the sound of a clicker or handlers would prefer not to use them. 

Therapy dog training classes specifically tailored for Angel Paws volunteer candidates are offered periodically but volunteer candidates are ultimately responsible for their own dog training.   Although Angel Paws Therapy Dog Training classes are not always available our volunteer candidates are offered discounts on dog training with various local recommended dog trainers who are familiar with our requirements.   We encourage you to contact us for a trainer referral and advise on how to most appropriately start working with your dog (or at least be mindful of) right away rather than wait for one of our Therapy Dog Training classes to begin.  (Please see our own Dog Training Position Statement too) 

PLEASE SEE: ... 
AMERICAN VETERINARY SOCIETY OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR POSITION STATEMENTS ON THE USE OF PUNISHMENT & DOMINANCE

CANINE BEHAVIOR MYTHS (see Myth #9 about prong collars in particular) 
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/11_2/features/Canine-Behavior-Myths_16004-1.html

EXCELLENT FREE ON-LINE TRAINING TIPS CAN BE FOUND AT  http://www.halleballedog.com/positive-reinforcement-rules/ , 
and Diamonds in the Ruff http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/ (see Behavior FAQ's on the left of the home page)

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT   Although candidates are free to either train their own dogs or choose to work with whatever trainer they like, we highly recommend positive reinforcement/reward behaviorist based training methods with a flat buckle collar.  (Please see our own Dog Training Position Statement & Angel Paws Therapy Dog Training Course pages too)  This usually includes treats &/or toys AND immediate, consistent verbal praise as reward for desired behavior, balanced with a strong, calm and pro-active leadership role on the part of the handler – every day! In addition to learning to willingly respond to basic verbal &/or visual cues (sit, down, stay, heel &/or walk close by, wait, off or leave it) SOCIALIZATION; TRUST, LEADERSHIP  and RESPEPCT (STLR) are ALL equally important – and ALL take some consistent effort on the part of the handler. 

Unfortunately, the relaxed trust and confident, light hearted, spontaneous curiosity necessary for safe and effective therapy dog work is often sacrificed (particularly in unfamiliar circumstances with unfamiliar people) in favor of respect and control as a result of correction collar (aversive) “obedience” training methods or even the seemingly benevolent use of choke or pinch collars in combination with positive reinforcement. Similarly, deference or respect and control are often sacrificed in favor of spontaneity by inadvertently reinforcing undesired behavior, excessive unearned affection &/or lack of consistently enforced rules, boundaries and limitations. 

For the unique requirements of therapy dog work SLTR – SOCIALIZATION (on leash, AWAY from home, including public indoor settings other than the vet’s office), LEADERSHIP, TRUST and RESPECT are ALL equally important. The consensus among professionals with decades of experience - and scientific research - have found that quality, positive reinforcement/reward based training consistently administered by a calm, pro-active leader in a variety of unfamiliar venues with a variety of unfamiliar people (both in and AWAY from home) is most likely to produce the desired results necessary for safe, effective and happy therapy dog teams – regardless of size or breed. 

Contrary to what some believe, if practiced correctly and consistently, your dog’s training will be a game they enjoy playing with you, will only enhance their mannerly confident enthusiasm for interacting with strangers and will not “break their spirit” as some dog owners fear.  Positive Reinforcement Training is much more than treats and love so be sure to visit our Positive Reinforcement page and seek professional help ASAP. 

VERBAL/VISUAL CUES  Our therapy dogs must respect and willingly respond to US and the CLIENTS they visit NOT to their collars – this means having a consistent understanding and WILLING response to PLEASANT, VERBAL &/or VISUAL cues while on a leash. The leash and collar should be an insurance policy or momentary back-up rather than a handle, crutch, or steering wheel. Power struggles, no matter who is winning or how big or small the dog, are unacceptable.  As are harsh verbal commands or physical corrections. 

Off leash training is wonderful too, however therapy dogs must be comfortable walking close to their handler on a loose leash and it is not uncommon for some dogs (and handlers) who have been trained primarily off leash (without sufficient practice also on a leash) to be unexpectedly challenged while using a leash.

ABSOLUTELY NO choke, slip, metal, prong, pinch, shock or training collars are allowed (although Gentle Leader type head halters, nylon martingales and some harnesses are allowed - please see Equipment requirements if you are considering ANY alternative training equipment) either during the evaluation or on visits and can be a difficult (though not impossible) habit to break after years, months or even weeks of use so we STRONGLY DISCOURAGE their use for training purposes for many reasons – however, all training methods are acceptable as long as the desired results are achieved.  (Please see our own Dog Training Position Statement too) 

Another challenge to the use of correction collars (aside from the often hidden but suppressive and intimidating effect they have on many dogs and the lack of teaching appropriate behaviors) is that handlers often do not develop their own necessary positive reinforcement skills and habits of consistently using verbal/visual cues followed by immediate praise/reward for desired behavior and so can be difficult and confusing to both animal and handler down the line.

Therapy Dogs Today, Their Gifts, Our Obligation

***  "Effective visiting process consists of handlers who appropriately present their dogs and dogs who appropriately receive the people being visited.  Handlers must be familiar with ways to reward appropriate behaviors and redirect inappropriate behaviors of their dogs during visits without using noticeable techniques or corrections during visits. ... It is important to note that a dog’s perception can differ greatly from a human’s perception of the very same event. ...  All the screening and training in the world will not prepare a dog for the challenges of intimacy and emotion encountered in visiting animal programs.  ... Handler’s who protect their dogs from undo stress increase their dog’s confidence.  Success breeds confidence and confidence encourages continued growth.  A dog’s level of confidence in the handler is based both on their lifelong relationship and how the dog perceives the handler’s behavior in the moment."     

- Therapy Dogs Today, Their Gifts, Our Obligation