BeTrue
Trained
Banned
Posts: 217
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Post by BeTrue on Jan 19, 2005 13:21:15 GMT -5
I've always loved bringing service pups in training out to visit people, especially when you see an elderly person's face light up and smile or a young person in a wheelchair suddenly forgetting their disability. Its amazing, and something I'll always enjoy.
I'd like to someday have my own dog that I can register as a therapy dog. I know labs and newfies are great breeds for the job, but I also know not all of them enjoy it. Is there anything you can do while the dog is still a pup that might help it become a better therapy dog, aside, of course, from a lot of socializing with other dogs and people?
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Post by Laura on Jan 19, 2005 16:38:42 GMT -5
Find a nursing home that will allow a mellow puppy to visit, and to get the pup accustomed to strange noisy places, Home Depot is great! I started bringing Loki to Home Depot on Saturdays, the noisiest, most crowded day there. Between the forklifts, the crashing of stuff, the people, he doesn't blink an eye now at the hospital, which is relatively quiet in comparison. However, I will recommend you get some old crutches, a walker, maybe even a wheelchair, because those are the things that a pup needs to be desensitized to in a hospital setting.
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Post by sibemom on Jan 19, 2005 21:42:12 GMT -5
Laura is right a nursing home is the best place to start ;D I think there are alot of reasons for this. These people are in such a vulnerable state and I know the dog senses that, also there is alot going on at least where I work anyway There are wheelchairs, walkers, Gerichairs, Yelling, strange noises, etc etc... People are reaching out at the dog, petting the dog, all the things you want a good therapy dog to be able to deal with you will run into at a nursing home. This is where I started Blade and now am taking Willow. Blade loved it from the first time he stepped in the door, and was invited to make visits to hospice patients and a few other home bound people. Willow is going to take a bit more, because she is not the joiner like Blade was
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BeTrue
Trained
Banned
Posts: 217
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Post by BeTrue on Jan 20, 2005 13:16:19 GMT -5
Thank you both very much! Nursing home it is then. Are there are other places you can bring a pup to, as well? I'm so used of having a service dog that is allowed everywhere I can go, so having 'dog restrictions' is new to me. ;D I didn't realize Home Depot allows dogs...that would be a great place to socialize as well. You guys gave some great ideas of places and things to get him used to...thank you!
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Post by ladyarya on Feb 24, 2005 19:48:04 GMT -5
How do you get started in therapy work? I think my kids would love it, but I have no idea what I need to do. Are there any sites on this that are reputable?
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Post by Aussienot on Feb 25, 2005 20:55:38 GMT -5
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Post by DivineOblivion19 on Feb 25, 2005 21:01:47 GMT -5
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Post by maryellen on Sept 25, 2006 15:25:47 GMT -5
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Post by Nicole on Sept 25, 2006 15:50:48 GMT -5
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Post by Laura on Sept 25, 2006 16:46:32 GMT -5
Rufus is the most amazing, sweet pupper, a total credit and ambassador for pitbulls everywhere, and if anything ever happened to Maryellen (heaven forbid) I would take him in a second , my sweet fishbreath boy!
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Post by sibemom on Sept 25, 2006 17:12:51 GMT -5
Those pics are great Brody and I will be working towards that yet again hopefully this winter. He was doing so good, and still is but now we just have to get the STRANGE DOG issue in check and we have done really good so far We got side tracked with everything else that was going on but WE WILL be back in circulation VERY VERY SOON I would say that Rufus is a Pit that stole my heart What a wonderful sweet boy I miss doing this kind of work with a dog so much, but like I said WE WILL BE BACK
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Post by maryellen on Sept 25, 2006 20:21:57 GMT -5
awe thanks everyone, and yes laura if something happens to me rufus is yours. just be prepared to have him sleep under the covers at your feet ...
we have been doing therapy now for over 2 years, we average 86 visits a year, sometimes more, sometimes a little less..
the strange dog part, find something your dog goes NUTS over, like liverwurst, chicken, steak, work with that from a distance with someone else with their dog.. gradually over time increase the distance to get closer, rewarding for every time the dog looks at you (teach the Watch Me command so that he /she looks at your face) if you keep practicing it, and go slow, you will be able to get within arms reach of the other dog.. keep the treat that you use for ONLY this exercise.. this way the dog doesnt get used to that treat for other stuff..
you can also however request doing visits alone, with no other dogs too, there is a cocker spaniel that belongs to our group that is very dog aggressive, so he has to do the visits alone when we arenot there..
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Post by maryellen on Sept 25, 2006 20:25:08 GMT -5
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Post by sibemom on Sept 25, 2006 20:38:20 GMT -5
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Post by Richard on Sept 25, 2006 21:05:18 GMT -5
Excellent pictures. The work you do with your dogs can't be underestimated in how much pleasure and joy it brings people...I'm very impressed! Besides, there is nothing better to see than a dog bringing out the best in people and making their day just by a cuddle and a smooch!
That is just what this forum needed, a breath of fresh air...thank you!
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