barry581 (10-19-2015), Charlotte K. (10-19-2015), Gibbysmom (10-19-2015), kimbersmom (10-18-2015), Labradorks (10-19-2015), MikeLynn (10-25-2015), Scoutpout (10-20-2015), WhoopsaDaisy (10-18-2015)
Well, I am a horrible photographer of my little black girl, but here is a shot from the first "field trip" she took for her therapy dog class. Though the youngest pup in the class, she did wonderfully! Even though she was surrounded by 8 or 10 other pups (including a few Labs, her favorites), she was calm as anything when the vest was on—we did elevators, stairs (she'd done both before, but not in a large public space), stopping mid-walk on stairs, visiting bathrooms and stores, loose leash walking—she rocked! She'll have several more classes, and can't be tested until she's a year, but this is a great start to her preparation as a Therapy Dog. She really seemed to enjoy it, as well. Was "all business" when the vest was on, but once off was back to her silly, funny, duck-chewing puppy self.
barry581 (10-19-2015), Charlotte K. (10-19-2015), Gibbysmom (10-19-2015), kimbersmom (10-18-2015), Labradorks (10-19-2015), MikeLynn (10-25-2015), Scoutpout (10-20-2015), WhoopsaDaisy (10-18-2015)
Good luck! Luna was certified a few months before her second birthday and she loves it.
Hidden Content
Sarah, human
Luna, born 6/14/13, gotcha 8/18/13 and TDI certified 5/12/2015
Comet, born 4/3/15, gotcha 6/9/15
Double Dip, 25 y/o Draft/Welsh pony
Gracie, 17 y/o DSH cat
Hidden Content
Hidden Content
She has a few more classes (and about half a year) before she could even take the test, but temperamentally it seems a good fit.
I won't be upset if it ends up not being her thing. But since a few people (her trainers) have suggested it, I thought we'd give it a go. It's such a fine thing for a dog to do, if the dog enjoys it.
WAy to go, sounds like a good start. Is the class also preparation for her CGN? Or if you are in the U.S. the CGC? That would be nice to have too.
Does she have to do escalators as well? There was a thread a while back about dogs doing escalators. I think that would be really tricky to teach.
Hidden Content
Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content
Abulafia (10-19-2015)
I think we'll also go for CGC—from what I can tell, the preparations are similar (and her current trainer can help coach for that, as well).
The vehemently do not want us to put the dogs on escalators. They had one—that was a therapy dog for the children's literacy program they work with—who came up on an escalator and sat down in the reading room only to have them discover that the escalator had torn most of one toe off. Poor dog just sat there (probably a Lab...).
There is no way I'll put her on an escalator. I don't even like my son on them.
Depending on which Therapy program you are doing, the CGC might be identical. Jagger just passed his CGC and his TDI test. And you can test the puppy as soon as she is ready. Grace got hers at 18 weeks.
Jen
Hidden Content
Abulafia (10-19-2015)
Ah! I thought they had to be a year for CGC. Theydo have to be a year for the Therapy Dog test she will take. Right now she's in a puppy-level "pre Therapy Dog" training class—for dogs 3 months to 18 months. After this (assuming she doesn't flunk out) she'll do a full Therapy Dog class and see if she can be certified (assuming she still takes to it).
Looking over CGC, I'd guess she's nearly there, though we haven't worked much on "Stay" yet. I've done it a bit, but nothing formal. She stars her next level of obedience class at the end of the month, however, and I know they do that there.
I'll talk to her trainer soon to figure out the next steps here.
Bruce did the STAR Puppy and CGC at 6 months old and he passed both. To my knowledge there is no age requirement.
Abulafia (10-19-2015)
She looks great AND is smart and biddable. Wonderful!
Abulafia (10-19-2015)
Sam had to do escalators for his therapy dog exam. I was terrified but after some hesitation, he rocked! For our group, the dogs also gave to be a year old. We had one 9 month old puppy who passed but she is considered "in training" until she's a year old. I waited to test Sam for the CGC until he was a bit older. He now has his CGC, his AKC Community Canine and is a therapy dog. I'm not a proud mom or anything 😉
Hidden Content
Sam and Frank
Abulafia (10-19-2015)
Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet? | |
|
|