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Bow Wow Therapy Dog & Handler Training

Volunteering with your dog is a fun and rewarding way to give back to your community by helping others.

Description

This advanced training course will help you and your dog partner become a Bow Wow Therapy Dog team.  Therapy Dog teams visit hospitals, schools, nursing homes, libraries, and a variety of other environments where the calming presence of a well-trained and friendly dog reduces stress and brings joy.  

After successfully completing this course, you will be eligible to enroll for a Bow Wow Therapy Dog Evaluation.  

 

During the 6 session course, you will learn how to and be given an opportunity to practice the following therapy dog handling skills:

  • Understanding and responding to your dog's body language
  • How to greet a wide variety of people politely
  • How to avoid jumping up when approaching counters, tables, and beds
  • How to work around a variety of medical equipment
  • How to work one-on-one and with groups of young children
  • How to work with groups of strangers
  • Some basic tricks
  • How to settle quietly on a mat
  • Etiquette and skills needed to ride in an elevator
  • How to keep your dog focused and in control when working in close proximity to other dogs
  • How to keep your leash loose with your dog walking confidently by your side, even in distracting environments such as walking past an open container of cat food or through a group of people with happy voices.

 

Prerequisites

Age of Dog:  1 year and older

Prior Training Required:  Your dog must be able to follow your direction and perform the following cues in a new environment before enrolling. 

  • sit
  • down
  • come
  • stay
  • loose leash walking
  • leave it
  • following your directions when other dogs are within 3 feet

If your dog cannot meet these criteria, please enroll in Dog Manners 1, Dog Manners 2, or the Canine Good Citizen course first.  Therapy dogs need to be well-mannered and under control when working in new environments.  

The Temperament of the Ideal Therapy Dog:  Therapy dogs must enjoy meeting people of all ages, races, and sizes.  They must enjoy petting and hugging by strangers.  Therapy dogs must be able to focus on you when other dogs are nearby.  

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People Greeting and Distractions Workshop

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Are me and my dog ready for therapy dog evaluation?

Learn more about volunteering with your dog and run through all the exercises of the Bow Wow Therapy Dog evaluation to determine if your dog is ready for the therapy dog evaluation.

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Bow Wow Therapy Team Evaluation

You have worked hard to prepare your dog for visiting seniors, patients, stressed employees, and students.

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Working Dog Foundations 1

Building skills using games and toys to help your dog work with you, increase your bond as a team, and improve communication.

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Working Dog Foundations 2

Second class in the Working Dog Foundations series.

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