Training Your Therapy Dog

Evolving Puppy to Therapy Dog

 

If you’re looking for a puppy to become a trained therapy or service dog for you or one of your loved ones, you’ve come to the right place. Puppies with the potential for therapy work is exactly what we breed for. 

Our goal in breeding is selecting for the genetic components of temperament and health that provides you with the very best potential in a puppy.

Okay, so we give you potential…but how do you turn that into your finished therapy dog? Well, you have options. It’s great having options, but it can also be confusing, below I’m going to share your options with a puppy, and also some trusted trainers we’ve worked with who can help you in the process.

It all starts the same…

I always felt there was a lot of mystery surrounding how dogs magically became therapy or service dogs. I found that in the end, all training starts the same, the puppies start with learning the same things any pet would do: house training, leash training, crate training, and normal manners. The key with dogs that do service work is that they need to be able to fully trust humans, so we need to be careful as possible to be reliable for our dogs, showing them that people are worth trusting and working with. 

Find a Trainer that Works for You

Each trainer does things a little different, they have different techniques, different ways of communicating, and they’ll have better results with different breeds or types of people. When you are looking for a trainer, it’s not always the one with the most extensive resume that’ll be best for you, rather, you want to find a trainer who you work well with. 

A big part of the process of training your therapy dog is training you! The trainer will help you understand how the dog is trained, what cues you can use with your dog, and how to work together as a team. When you find a trainer you enjoy working with, who understands your needs and communicates with you in a way you understand. 

 

Positive Canine Training and Services, LLC

Linda Keehn CDBC, CPDT-KA, ADT, DN-DBC, CSAT, LFDM

Cedarhurst, NY | www.positivecaninetraining.com
917.865.2609 | [email protected]

CDBC, CPDT-KA, ADT, DN-DBC, CSAT, LFDM
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant- IAABC
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – CCPDT
Accredited Dog Trainer IAABC  
Family Paws Educator FPPE (Dog and baby/child) 
Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer 
Certified Atlas Assistance Dog Trainer (Service Dogs) 
Certified Fear Free Animal Trainer
Licensed  Family Dog Mediator Training and Behavior 
Therapy Dog Evaluator and Trainer 
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

 

From the Trainer

“I love seeing the bond grow between a dog and their family.  Clear communication in a kind, humane manner will make your dog want to behave as you prefer.  Once we open up that line of communication, the real fun begins and the sky’s the limit.   
 
In 2010 I brought a puppy into my life hoping we would become a therapy dog team. I had seen the difference they made to a relative in a nursing home and wanted to do that with my dog.  That puppy changed my life. We became a Therapy Dog team doing almost 400 visits in a variety of settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries and in-home therapy visits..  I love knowing that I can help others provide this valuable service. 
 
The impact of the Therapy Dogs I have worked with led me to take my journey a step further into Service Dog training. I became involved with Atlas Assistance dogs as a volunteer and a certified service dog trainer. The Service Dogs I work with truly change the lives of their owners and help them live independently.”

Method of Training

Linda uses pure positive training, using positive reinforcement without coercion or punishment. She is a huge proponent of adding fun as a manner of engagement. 

What We Love About the Trainer

She is evaluator for the not only the AKC Canine Good Citizen Certification, but she is an evaluator for Therapy Dogs International. Even if you aren’t looking for a Therapy Dog, you would be in good hands working with her for your pup’s Canine Good Citizen Evaluation.

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Getting a great and thorough start with Linda will set you up for success on the long haul. She is thorough and patient and will help you navigate everything from basic manners and training to setting you on a path to assistance work. 

Centre Stage Dog Training

Jacqueline Lampert

Glastonbury, CT | centrestagedogtraining.com/
(203) 505-9149 | [email protected]

 

Jacqueline started her career working for a few training organizations. After gaining years of experience and expertise, she opted to start her own training business. 

She has options to train a therapy or service dog, contact her and she’ll help you figure out the best way she can help you.

 

Method of Training

Centre Stage Dog Training is a Pure Positive Dog Trainer. Using positive reinforcement and refraining from punishment in her training methods.

What We Love About the Trainer

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From the Trainer

At Centre Stage Dog Training, our mission is to help you create a well rounded, comfortable, and enjoyable dog. We use positive reinforcement, relationship-centered training that is focused on building a bond with your dog to work towards your specific goals. Whether you’re looking for an excellent family dog, a dog to accompany you on pet friendly errands, working with a service dog in training prospect, or are working through specific behavioral challenges, you and your dog will be centre stage!