Training a therapy dog

[StrongCoffeeAvalanche]

Has anyone taken their puppy for training to become a therapy dog for a family member? Is there any courses you'd recommend? We are in the West Sussex area.

We have had a puppy for about 3 weeks and it's going very well (standard puppy drama aside!).

I have a child with special needs. Non visible disability, he is not-neurotypial - sensory processing disorder, dyspraxia, speech disorder (he can't really talk) and learning difficulties. The transformation in him has been remarkable in this very short time. I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it myself with my own eyes. The only explanation is that having a puppy around is working it's own very unique magic. I'm keen to see if I can train my pup to be a therapy dog as this may make the relationship and transformation go even further....

Many thanks

Sorry, following out of interest…

Look up pets as therapy website they will have advice. They dont generally assess a dog as suitable for a therapy dog until they are over 1 so you have plenty of time to get the pup to the required standard. Even if you are just training for your own family pet and not for visiting children, elderly or hospitals, if you want them properly assessed they need to meet the requirements.

The main things are they need to be calm! No jumping up at all as they could knock someone frail over or injure someone. no licking/kissing/mouthing for hygiene reasons. No barking at loud sudden noises or strange people. Walking nicely beside you, sitting and letting you in the door/gate first, ability to stay and settle on a mat/bed.

So you need to get them used to being in all sorts of situations/environments from now, meeting all kinds of people, wheelchairs, pushchairs, walking sticks, bikes, scooters, skateboards, people with glasses, beards, hats, headscarves, umbrellas, masks etc you need them to be able to be unphased by anything.

Hope this helps. I'm hoping to get my puppy assessed when she's old enough as I also have children with additional needs too. We are going to kennel club assured training at the moment planning to work through the bronze, silver and gold awards and then if she's ready get her assessed as a therapy dog.

@Aria20

Look up pets as therapy website they will have advice. They dont generally assess a dog as suitable for a therapy dog until they are over 1 so you have plenty of time to get the pup to the required standard. Even if you are just training for your own family pet and not for visiting children, elderly or hospitals, if you want them properly assessed they need to meet the requirements.

The main things are they need to be calm! No jumping up at all as they could knock someone frail over or injure someone. no licking/kissing/mouthing for hygiene reasons. No barking at loud sudden noises or strange people. Walking nicely beside you, sitting and letting you in the door/gate first, ability to stay and settle on a mat/bed.

So you need to get them used to being in all sorts of situations/environments from now, meeting all kinds of people, wheelchairs, pushchairs, walking sticks, bikes, scooters, skateboards, people with glasses, beards, hats, headscarves, umbrellas, masks etc you need them to be able to be unphased by anything.

Hope this helps. I'm hoping to get my puppy assessed when she's old enough as I also have children with additional needs too. We are going to kennel club assured training at the moment planning to work through the bronze, silver and gold awards and then if she's ready get her assessed as a therapy dog.

Thank you! V.helpful

Dogs for Good are doing online seminars to help with this. I'm hoping to book in for one but so far none line up with my day off.