Comment

Comment by Melissa and Franklin! on October 23, 2011 at 1:08pm

Hi guys, I'm brand new to this group but am wanting to start therapy training with my dog. He's going to be 3 in Feb. and I'm just wondering where do I start!? He has all his basic obedience down, I'm in the process of trying to set up a CGC test to see how he does. Any suggestions of who to contact in California (specifically Sacramento) to get therapy training started?

Comment by Krystle (Luna & Twinkie!) on October 20, 2011 at 3:59pm

Kristy,

  I am so sorry for your loss of your puppy.  I know how hard that must have been for you, as I lost River when she was very young.  It was a heartbreaking experience, but then I found Luna....  Luna brought the sparkle back into my life.

Good luck with Drew.

On a therapy dog note: Luna completed her second visit today.  She was a BIG hit and continues to do well.  They even had a fire alarm go off - and no reaction from her AT ALL! I'm so glad that she seems to be taking to it.

Comment by Kristy Watkins on October 20, 2011 at 12:08pm

I sincerely apologize to every member of this group. I have not been present in this group AT ALL, however, let me assure you that I receive emails regarding all activity and I have been reading them. Since the tragic, and sudden passing of my girl, I haven't been onto this site much at all. I was devastated, not only because I lost my therapy dog in training, but because I lost one of my best friends, my child, almost. I'm pleased that this group is still active despite the absence of it's leader. For anyone who is curious, I have adopted a new corgi, he is 6 years old, a neutered male named Drew, I'll put a couple photos of him up soon. Again, thank you so very much for keeping this group alive, and I'll try to become active again as well.

Comment by Geri & Sidney on October 20, 2011 at 11:45am

Mary, make sure you have a really good sharp "negative" sound down for when he starts going for the treat. Don't use "no", but something like "ack!", something that isn't used in normal conversation. And after he leaves it, don't reward with the same treat, or you are teaching then that they will later get what they left, which isn't good in the case of a dropped pill or other food that might be bad for them. You might tempt with a piece of hot dog, but then put it away (or pretend to throw it away) and reward with a piece of bacon, something like that.

Comment by Mary Nameth on October 20, 2011 at 11:06am

Alistair's not a toy dog.  He's a treat dog all the way.  That gives me the idea to try bacon though.  Thanks!

Comment by Krystle (Luna & Twinkie!) on October 20, 2011 at 11:05am

You have to teach "leave it" with something comparable or better than the treat. They need to want the item you're telling them to leave. Toys work too if it's a toy they absolutely love.

Comment by Mary Nameth on October 20, 2011 at 10:59am

Hi!  I just decided to train my 5-month-old corgi Alistair to be a therapy dog.  He learns fast and is so sweet.  I'm very excited because I know he'll love having a job like this.  He knows the basic required commands except I don't know how to teach him to leave it.  I've tried walking him past pieces of bread on the ground, but he doesn't touch them because he's way more interested in the treats anyway.  What was your method?

Thanks,

 

Mary

Comment by Denise Gilbert James on October 16, 2011 at 10:43pm

Congrats Krystle and Luna!!!  Thought would be so great to have a therapy dog..  

Comment by Jane Christensen on October 15, 2011 at 12:09am

Congrats Krystle and Luna! It's so fun and much less stressful once you get done with the testing:)

Comment by Krystle (Luna & Twinkie!) on October 14, 2011 at 8:49pm

Luna did the first of her supervised visits today at a VA hospital.  She did REALLY well - I am so proud of her!  And so glad that she seems to be taking to it.

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