Therapy Dog Training
Warm Hearts requires new teams to have obtained a Canine Good Citizen test certificate.
This requirement can be satisified by passing a therapy dog class through PetSmart or taking a CGC course from a certified trainer. The AKC Canine Good Citizen™ (CGC) program provides a perfect framework for training your dog to become a polite member of society. The 10 test items on the CGC test are practical, functional behaviors that every dog should have to be welcomed in the community. Click for a video of skills needed to pass CGC |
What are some things I should know to help my dog and I succeed in the Warm Heart’s test?
(Please note that our use of “he” in no way means that we expect all of your doggies to be male.)
Interest in Humans. Because you and your buddy will be visiting a variety of places and meeting many new people, Warm Hearts wants to be sure that both of you are relaxed when you are in new places and are interested in meeting new people. When either a single Warm Hearts member or several members approach you, they will want to see that your dog can both control his behavior and is friendly/ interested in meeting new people. He might be wagging his tail, his ears might be perky, or he might be wiggling happily. Warm Hearts expects that you can control your dog and not allow any jumping or hyperactivity.
If several Warm Hearts members approach you, talking loudly, commenting on “what a beautiful dog” you have, and starting to pet your friend, we will be interested in seeing how both you and your dog respond. Are you each apprehensive or welcoming? Can you control your dog appropriately (i.e., no jumping)?
Loose leash walking. Warm Hearts members would like to see that you are comfortable walking with your dog with a loose leash. You will be asked to walk along an ‘L’ shaped path in the room. First you will walk straight, then make a left turn and walk to a specific point, make a U-turn, and then retrace your steps and return to the starting point. You will both be asked to stop twice—once during the walk and again at the end of the walk. Your dog does not need to sit when stopping, but he must stay by you.
Basic skills. You, the handler, may use words, hand signals, or both, to direct your dog to sit, stay, or go down. Do not touch your dog to reinforce these commands or excessively repeat the commands. You will be asked to put your dog in a down/stay, leave your dog, and walk about 30 feet away. Your dog should stay both when you walk away and when you return. At some point, you will be asked to walk away again, turn, and call your friend to come. He should come to you and not wander about the room alone.
Examination and Hug. One volunteer will approach your dog and quickly but closely examine his coat, paws, ears, and teeth. After this close examination, the volunteer will give your dog verbal encouragement and a brief hug.
Reaction to an unfamiliar dog. As you and your dog are seated visiting with a volunteer, another dog and his handler will enter the room. This neutral-dog team will visit with a different volunteer about 10 feet away from you and your dog, The visit will last 30-45 seconds. If your dog shows excessive interest in the neutral dog, you may redirect him, but you may not use physical restraint—only your voice or petting.
Leave it. For the final test, a Warm Hearts member will place a small piece of attractive food on a plate in the middle of the floor. You and your dog must walk within six feet of the food with your dog being between you and the food. The dog must see the food, but he cannot approach it and eat it. If necessary, you may ask your dog to leave the food as you continue walking past it. (At the conclusion of the test, your buddy will be able to eat the treat, of course.)
Thank you for wanting to train with Warm Hearts. We have wonderful visits with many organizations and people in Albuquerque, and we look forward to having you and your buddy join us.
(Please note that our use of “he” in no way means that we expect all of your doggies to be male.)
- Training treats during testing not allowed
- No prong/ choke/ electronic training collars or gentle leaders
- If a potential dog therapy candiate eliminates indoors, this is an automatic failure
Interest in Humans. Because you and your buddy will be visiting a variety of places and meeting many new people, Warm Hearts wants to be sure that both of you are relaxed when you are in new places and are interested in meeting new people. When either a single Warm Hearts member or several members approach you, they will want to see that your dog can both control his behavior and is friendly/ interested in meeting new people. He might be wagging his tail, his ears might be perky, or he might be wiggling happily. Warm Hearts expects that you can control your dog and not allow any jumping or hyperactivity.
If several Warm Hearts members approach you, talking loudly, commenting on “what a beautiful dog” you have, and starting to pet your friend, we will be interested in seeing how both you and your dog respond. Are you each apprehensive or welcoming? Can you control your dog appropriately (i.e., no jumping)?
Loose leash walking. Warm Hearts members would like to see that you are comfortable walking with your dog with a loose leash. You will be asked to walk along an ‘L’ shaped path in the room. First you will walk straight, then make a left turn and walk to a specific point, make a U-turn, and then retrace your steps and return to the starting point. You will both be asked to stop twice—once during the walk and again at the end of the walk. Your dog does not need to sit when stopping, but he must stay by you.
Basic skills. You, the handler, may use words, hand signals, or both, to direct your dog to sit, stay, or go down. Do not touch your dog to reinforce these commands or excessively repeat the commands. You will be asked to put your dog in a down/stay, leave your dog, and walk about 30 feet away. Your dog should stay both when you walk away and when you return. At some point, you will be asked to walk away again, turn, and call your friend to come. He should come to you and not wander about the room alone.
Examination and Hug. One volunteer will approach your dog and quickly but closely examine his coat, paws, ears, and teeth. After this close examination, the volunteer will give your dog verbal encouragement and a brief hug.
Reaction to an unfamiliar dog. As you and your dog are seated visiting with a volunteer, another dog and his handler will enter the room. This neutral-dog team will visit with a different volunteer about 10 feet away from you and your dog, The visit will last 30-45 seconds. If your dog shows excessive interest in the neutral dog, you may redirect him, but you may not use physical restraint—only your voice or petting.
Leave it. For the final test, a Warm Hearts member will place a small piece of attractive food on a plate in the middle of the floor. You and your dog must walk within six feet of the food with your dog being between you and the food. The dog must see the food, but he cannot approach it and eat it. If necessary, you may ask your dog to leave the food as you continue walking past it. (At the conclusion of the test, your buddy will be able to eat the treat, of course.)
Thank you for wanting to train with Warm Hearts. We have wonderful visits with many organizations and people in Albuquerque, and we look forward to having you and your buddy join us.