What this program is, and isn't
This track prepares a dog's temperament, manners, and handling responsiveness to the level most registered therapy dog organizations expect — it is not a certifying body itself, and we'll be direct with you early if your dog's temperament isn't a realistic match for this kind of work. Therapy work asks a lot of a dog: calm behavior around wheelchairs, unpredictable movement, unfamiliar handling, and sustained close contact with strangers, and not every well-trained dog is suited to it, regardless of obedience skill.
What we assess and build
- Baseline temperament screening, honestly evaluating comfort with strangers, novel equipment, sudden movement, and prolonged handling before investing further training time.
- Rock-solid impulse control, including settle-on-cue, loose-leash walking in tight and crowded spaces, and polite greetings with people who may approach unpredictably.
- Desensitization to facility-specific stimuli — medical equipment sounds, wheelchairs, walkers, and the general sensory load of a hospital or school environment, introduced gradually and never forced.
- Handler skills, since therapy visits depend as much on your ability to read your dog's stress signals and advocate for a break as on your dog's training.
- A realistic readiness assessment at the end of the track, with an honest recommendation on next steps toward whichever registering organization fits your goals.
Format
Eight sessions blending small group work — for proofing around distraction and other dogs — with private sessions focused on your specific dog's handling needs and any facility type you're aiming for.
A note on temperament
Therapy work is not a good fit for dogs who are fearful of strangers, easily overstimulated by novelty, or who show any bite history. We'd rather tell you that honestly in an early session than take you through eight weeks toward a goal your dog isn't suited for — and we'll always suggest a better-fitting program instead when that's the case.
