How to Train Your Dog to Be a Therapy Dog
Training your dog to become a therapy dog is a rewarding journey that requires dedication, the right environment, and structured learning. Therapy dogs must possess calm temperaments, excellent obedience, and strong social skills to be effective in various community settings like hospitals, nursing homes, or schools.
1. Build a Strong Foundation with Basic Obedience
All therapy dogs must have a solid background in basic obedience. Enrolling in a structured program like PetSmart’s dog training classes is a great place to start. These classes typically last six weeks and are staged by experience levels—puppy, beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
- Beginner classes teach foundational commands like sit, stay, come, and leash walking.
- Intermediate and advanced levels focus on reliability, distraction-proofing, and impulse control.
PetSmart training programs use positive reinforcement methods, including clicker training, which helps encourage correct behaviors through rewards and praise.
2. Focus on Socialization Skills
Socialization is crucial for therapy dogs. During group classes at PetSmart, dogs interact in a real-world-inspired setting with distractions such as other dogs, human traffic, and environmental noise. This helps desensitize them to stimuli they might encounter in therapeutic environments.
Classes offer:
- Exposure to various people and dogs
- Practice in different environmental conditions
- Group work that fosters patience and cooperation
3. Work on Advanced Behaviors
Once the basics are covered, therapy dogs must be able to perform more advanced behaviors reliably:
- Impulse control to resist jumping or getting distracted
- Long-duration stays and recalls in distracting environments
- Polite greetings with strangers and restrained excitement
Therapy dogs need to adapt to unpredictable environments and new people, which is a skill that improves through exposure and consistent practice.
4. Understand the Limitations of Group Classes
While group classes provide a good foundation, some dogs may struggle with the pace or find the in-store distractions overwhelming. For dogs needing slower progress or focused behavioral work, consider supplementing with:
- Individualized private sessions
- Specialty classes targeting separation anxiety, aggression, or reactivity
- More specialized instructors or behaviorists if needed
Owners must also commit to practicing lessons at home to reinforce progress between classes.
5. Evaluate Your Progress Periodically
Each dog learns at a different pace. Some may master basic commands quickly, while others need more repetition. It's essential to assess your dog’s comfort, obedience, and responsiveness regularly.
Important checkpoints include:
- Can your dog remain calm around wheelchairs, medical equipment, or children?
- Does your dog consistently respond to commands in public settings?
- Can your dog stay focused amid loud noises and distractions?
6. Consider Certification and Testing
Once your dog demonstrates reliable behavior and a calm demeanor, you may proceed to therapy dog certification. Organizations typically require a behavioral evaluation and proof of obedience training. Requirements can include:
- Passing the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test
- Meeting specific age and health criteria
- A temperament review conducted by certified evaluators
PetSmart doesn’t directly offer therapy dog certification, but their courses can prepare your dog for these tests.
7. Be Realistic and Know When to Seek More Specialized Help
Group classes at PetSmart provide a cost-effective entry point but aren’t tailored to handle complex or severe behavioral issues. If your dog shows signs of anxiety, reactivity, or doesn’t progress as expected, it may be time to consider working with a more experienced or certified behavioral trainer.
Pros of Using PetSmart for Therapy Dog Training
- Structured and progressive curriculum
- Exposure to social and environmental stimuli
- Emphasis on positive reinforcement
- Convenient and affordable at $149–$155 per course
Cons of Using PetSmart for Therapy Dog Training
- Trainer experience can be inconsistent
- Curriculum may not cover complex behaviors in group setting
- In-store environment may be too stimulating for some dogs
- Limited customization based on individual dog needs
For dog owners seeking only basic manners and social skills, PetSmart's programs offer an accessible foundation. However, to fully equip your dog for therapy work, extended training, real-world exposure, and possibly working with specialized professionals are essential steps.
Final Thoughts
Training your dog to be a therapy dog is a multifaceted journey. It begins with obedience and socialization and progresses to patience, calmness, and responsive behavior. Programs like PetSmart's can kick-start this process, but achieving therapy certification and reliable service behavior requires persistence, evaluation, and adaptation based on your dog’s needs and temperament.
