Training your puppy

To train a puppy to be an excellent therapy dog, you need to start with a strong foundation in basic obedience and socialization. Once your puppy has a good understanding of basic commands and is comfortable around different people, places, and things, you can start to introduce more specific therapy dog training exercises.

Here are some tips on how to train a puppy to be a therapy dog:

  • Start early. The earlier you start training your puppy, the easier it will be. Puppies are most receptive to training between the ages of 8 and 16 weeks.
  • Be consistent. Use the same commands and rewards every time you train your puppy. This will help them learn quickly and efficiently.
  • Keep training sessions short and fun. Puppies have short attention spans, so aim for training sessions that are no more than 10-15 minutes long. Make sure to end each session on a positive note, even if your puppy is struggling.
  • Use positive reinforcement. Reward your puppy for good behavior with treats, praise, or petting. This will help them associate good behavior with positive consequences.

Here are some specific therapy dog training exercises that you can teach your puppy:

  • Sit, stay, come, and down. These are the basic obedience commands that all therapy dogs need to know.
  • Leave it. This command is important for teaching your dog to ignore distractions and focus on you.
  • Watch me. This command teaches your dog to make eye contact with you, which is important for maintaining control in therapy settings.
  • Gentle. This command teaches your dog to be gentle when interacting with people, especially children.
  • Place. This command teaches your dog to stay in a designated spot, which can be useful for keeping them under control in busy therapy settings.

Once your puppy has mastered these basic commands and exercises, you can start to expose them to therapy settings. This could involve visiting a local hospital, school, or nursing home with your puppy. Start with short visits and gradually increase the duration as your puppy becomes more comfortable.

It is important to note that not all dogs are cut out to be therapy dogs. Some dogs are naturally more friendly and outgoing than others. If you are unsure whether your puppy is a good candidate for therapy dog training, it is a good idea to consult with a professional dog trainer or therapy dog organization.

Here are some additional tips for training a puppy to be a therapy dog:

  • Socialize your puppy early and often. Expose your puppy to a variety of people, places, and things from a young age. This will help them learn to be comfortable in different situations and around different people.
  • Be patient and consistent. Training a therapy dog takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if your puppy doesn't learn everything right away. Just keep practicing and be patient.
  • Make sure your puppy is having fun. Therapy dog training should be enjoyable for both you and your puppy. If your puppy is getting frustrated, take a break and come back to it later.

With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can train your puppy to be an excellent therapy dog. Therapy dogs provide valuable companionship and support to people in all walks of life. By training your puppy to be a therapy dog, you can make a difference in the lives of others.


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