DS202: Therapy Dog
Purpose: This course will provide you with the skills necessary to train your dog to pass a therapy dog evaluation.
Learn the skills necessary to train therapy dogs or working therapy dog teams to work in the area of visitation and/or assisted activities. Learn how to train to pass a Therapy Dog Certification Course; understand what is a Therapy or Visitation Dog; learn the dog skill requirements and how to condition your dog to them; how to identify proper temperaments and aptitudes of dogs; identifying the unsuitable dog; how to be the dog's advocate; maintaining and troubleshooting the Therapy dog; and communication with facilities. Also, learn the various certifying organizations and where to go to be certified. Mixed or purebreds.
Prerequisites: Dog must be: Obedience Trained, people and other dog friendly, well mannered, and 1 year old to be evaluated. (Note: Dog does not have to be 1 year old to take this course.)
Positive Techniques Training Kit (highly recommended...see below).
Course Length: 6 one-hour sessions
Course Cost (Register above):
For Credit: Live and OnDemand=$236.25
Audited:
Live and OnDemand=$157.50
Live—You will speak to the instructor in an online “classroom” with other students. Choose from the listed times in the Course Registration box above.
OnDemand/Recorded—Watch classes "OnDemand"- at your own pace. Click on "OnDemand/Recorded Session" under "Register for Recorded Class" above.
Certification/For Credit-You will participate fully in the class with required homework and tests. You will send in homework (may include video) to learn "hands on" with the instructor examining and providing individualized feedback, attention and assistance on course material.
Audited-You will participate fully in the class with no required homework or tests.
The instructor will not provide any assistance out of class such as viewing your videos in order to be able to give you individualized feedback.
Recommended Text: CULTURE CLASH by Jean Donaldson
What you can expect to learn from the therapy dog training course:
- All the skills required to pass a Therapy Dog Certification Course
- Understanding what is a Therapy or Visitation Dog
- Becoming familiar with equipment, and learning to read canine behavior
- Learn the skill requirements for your dog and how to condition your dog to them
- Identifying proper temperaments and aptitudes of dogs and identifying the unsuitable dog
- Learn to be your dog's advocate
- Maintaining and troubleshooting your Therapy dog
- Communication with facilities
- Learning how to deal with people
- Learn where to go to be certified
- Passing your evaluation
NOTE: There is an additional $130.00 cost for a Positive Techniques Training Kit that is highly recommended. The proper tools are essential for the proper results. This cost is way below what you would pay retail.If you have previously taken a course in the Positive Reinforcement Series, you will NOT need to buy the Kit again. You will, however, need to order the Therapy Dog -Instruction Manual ($20). The Kit includes the following training tools to be shipped to you after you register:
- 2-clickers
- 1-training lead
- 1-harness
- 1-limited slip collar
- 1-stuffable food toy
- 1-Therapy Dog I-Instruction Manual
Cost includes sales tax, shipping and handling. You will recieve instructions on how to order this under "Course Materials" when you register. You will be expected to have the materials by the second session. If you are taking the Recorded Sessions, order now, click HERE to order and specify the class you are taking, and where you want the materials sent.
Instructor: Susan Sharpe, A.P.D.T; C.P.D.T.; CA-1 is co-owner and head instructor for Canine Companion by Certified Trainers. She has over 20 years of experience in dog training. Her background includes obedience, article search, tracking, obstacle course, drug detection, personal preotection, and family pet manners. Susan offers group classes, private instruction, and 
behavior modification from minor issues, such as unwanted barking, through more severe behaviors including separation anxiety and aggression. She also instructs therapy dog courses and trains service dogs for individuals. Susan is an instructor for the American Red Cross (#12642), including being an instructor for emergency pet first aid. She is a graduate of the Purdue University DOGS! course, a certified Tellington Touch CA-1 practitioner and is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Susan is an evaluator for Therapy Dog Inc. as well as a Canine Good Citizen evaluator for the Amerian Kennel Club (#8968). She is the developer of the famous anxiety wrap. She and her dog Skye Ladd hold duel registries with Delta Society and Therapy Dog Inc. Susan spent 17 years in the corporate world before leaving it to work with animals as a full time career.
Student Information
This course requires participation in the Orientation Class at E-Training for Dogs, Inc. This short class will help make sure you are prepared to participate fully in the online Webinar class environment. Register HERE.
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You must also read and agree to the E-Training for Dogs, Inc. Standard Terms and Conditions prior to taking a course: Click here to read these. You will be asked when you register if you have read them and will not be allowed to take the course if you do not agree to the terms.
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