10 In-Depth Tips for Training a Therapy Dog
Training a therapy dog involves developing specific skills and behaviours that enable the dog to provide emotional support, comfort, and companionship to people in need. Therapy dogs must be calm, obedient, and socialised to handle a variety of environments and interactions.
Below are 10 in-depth tips to help transform your dog into the perfect therapy companion.
1. Start with Basic Obedience Training
Before advancing to therapy-specific training, your dog must master basic obedience behaviours such as sit, stay, come, heel, and leave it. These behaviours create a foundation to help transform your dog into the perfect therapy companion. They ensure the dog remains
calm and controlled in different settings.
How to Achieve This:
Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, to reinforce desired behaviours.
Practice obedience training daily in various environments to build consistency.
Gradually increase distractions during training sessions to simulate real-world situations.
2. Focus on Socialisation
Therapy dogs must be comfortable around diverse groups of people, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, as well as in noisy or crowded environments. Socialisation helps the dog develop confidence and reduces the likelihood of fear or aggression.
How to Socialize Effectively:
Introduce the dog to different environments, such as parks, shopping centres, hospitals, or schools.
Expose the dog to a variety of sounds, surfaces, and smells.
Arrange controlled interactions with strangers, ensuring the dog feels safe and supported.
3. Teach Calmness and Impulse Control
Therapy dogs must remain calm and composed, even in situations that might be stressful or overstimulating. Training impulse control helps the dog maintain a relaxed demeanour and respond appropriately to cues.
How to Teach Calm Behaviour:
Practice the “settle” behaviour by reinforcing the dog for lying quietly.
Teach the dog to wait patiently before receiving treats, toys, or attention.
Use desensitisation techniques to expose the dog to triggering stimuli (e.g., loud noises) in a controlled manner, rewarding calm behaviour.
4. Build Confidence Through Desensitisation
Many therapy dogs encounter unusual stimuli, such as medical equipment, wheelchairs, or loud noises. Desensitisation training helps the dog become accustomed to these stimuli and remain confident in their presence.
How to Desensitise Your Dog:
Gradually introduce the dog to the stimulus from a distance, rewarding calm reactions.
Slowly decrease the distance to the stimulus over time, ensuring the dog remains relaxed.
Pair the stimulus with positive experiences, such as treats or play, to create a positive association.
Dachshund with man in a wheelchair
5. Teach Gentle and Controlled Interactions
Therapy dogs must interact gently with people of all ages and physical abilities, avoiding jumping, mouthing, or other overly enthusiastic behaviours. Controlled interactions ensure the dog is safe and respectful.
Key Training Steps:
Train the dog to greet people politely by sitting instead of jumping.
Practice “soft mouth” exercises by teaching the dog to take treats gently from your hand.
Use the “leave it” cue to prevent the dog from grabbing objects or reacting to distractions.
6. Introduce Therapy-Specific Cues
Therapy work requires specific behaviours that are not part of standard obedience training. Examples include:
“Visit” Cue: Training the dog to rest their head or body gently on someone’s lap for comfort.
“Hug” Cue: Teaching the dog to place their front paws on a person’s lap (if appropriate).
“Find” Cue: Training the dog to locate a specific person or object, which can be useful in some therapy settings.
How to Teach These Behaviours:
Break each behaviour into small steps and use positive reinforcement to shape the desired actions.
Practice in controlled settings before introducing real-world applications.
7. Evaluate Temperament Regularly
Not every dog is suited to therapy work. The ideal therapy dog should be calm, friendly, non-aggressive, and adaptable. Regularly assess the dog’s temperament and ensure they remain suitable for therapy roles.
What to Watch For:
Does the dog show fear, aggression, or stress in certain situations?
Is the dog overly excitable or unable to settle in new environments?
Is the dog consistently friendly and gentle with all people, including strangers?
8. Maintain Health and Grooming Standards
Therapy dogs must be healthy, clean, and well-groomed to ensure the safety and comfort of the people they interact with. Regular veterinary care and grooming are essential.
Tips for Health Maintenance:
Ensure the dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and free of parasites.
Brush the dog regularly to reduce shedding and maintain a clean coat.
Trim the dog’s nails and clean their ears to prevent discomfort or injury.
Nice hair do!
9. Develop a Strong Bond with Your Dog
A strong relationship between you and your dog is the foundation of successful therapy work. Trust and communication ensure that your dog feels secure and is willing to follow your lead in all situations.
Ways to Strengthen Your Bond:
Spend quality time with your dog through play, training, and relaxation.
Use consistent cues to establish clear communication.
Pay attention to your dog’s body language and emotional state, adapting your approach as needed.
Participate in Therapy Dog Training and Certification Programs
Enrolling in a therapy dog training program can provide structured guidance and prepare the dog for certification. Certification is often required for therapy work in hospitals, schools, and other institutions.
10. Participate in Therapy Dog Training and Certification Programs
When selecting a program for therapy dog training, it’s crucial to choose a qualified, experienced professional within the field. Not all organisations are up-to-date with modern training practices or use science-based methodologies.
Here are a few key considerations to ensure the program you choose aligns with the highest standards of ethical and effective training:
Choose a Program with Qualified Professionals
Look for trainers or organisations that have certifications or accreditations from reputable institutions, such as the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) or the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) or the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Professionals with these qualifications are more likely to utilise the latest, science-based practices.
Ensure Training Is Based on Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement should be the only training method used. This involves reinforcing desired behaviours (e.g., with treats, praise, or play) to encourage repetition. Under no circumstances should punitive methods such as leash corrections, yelling, or physical force be used, as these techniques can cause stress, and fear, and damage the bond between you and your dog.
Why Positive Reinforcement Is Critical:
It fosters trust between you and your dog.
It increases the dog’s willingness to learn and engage.
It reduces fear and anxiety, which is especially important for therapy dogs who will be working in diverse environments.
Verify Annual Behaviour Evaluations
Therapy dogs should undergo annual behaviour evaluations to ensure they continue to meet the high standards required for therapy work. Dogs can experience changes in temperament, health, or behaviour over time, and regular evaluations allow for early detection and intervention if needed.
What to Look for in Behavior Evaluations:
Assessments of the dog’s comfort level in different environments.
Evaluation of temperament when interacting with people (including children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities).
Check for signs of stress, fear, or reactivity.
Avoid Outdated Training Practices
Some organisations or trainers may still use outdated methods that lack scientific backing, such as dominance-based techniques or "alpha" theories. Ensure the program you select is informed by modern research in animal behaviour and welfare.
Red Flags to Avoid:
Trainers who use punishment-based tools (e.g., prong collars, choke chains, or shock collars).
Programs that emphasise dominance or submission instead of mutual trust and cooperation.
Lack of clear, written training protocols that align with ethical standards.
By selecting a reputable, science-based training program and committing to ongoing behaviour evaluations, you’ll ensure your therapy dog is not only well-prepared for their role but also happy and healthy.
Final Note
Training a therapy dog requires patience, consistency, and a deep understanding of your dog’s unique personality and needs. By focusing on obedience, socialisation, impulse control, and specialised training, you can help your dog develop the skills and temperament needed to provide comfort and support to others.
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