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Therapy dog - Puptown Dog Training Houston

Tag: Therapy dog

The Role of a Dog in a Family

Posted on by Gideon

Dogs have been called “man’s best friend” for centuries, and for good reason. They are loyal, loving, and often considered a member of the family. The role of a dog in a family can vary depending on the household, but there are some common themes that most dog owners would agree on.

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Companionship

One of the most important roles a dog plays in a family is that of a companion. Dogs are social creatures and enjoy spending time with their humans. They are always happy to see us and are eager to be near us. This companionship can be especially important for people who live alone or those who have lost a loved one. A dog can provide comfort and help alleviate feelings of loneliness.

 

Physical and Mental Health

Dogs also have a positive impact on our physical and mental health. Studies have shown that owning a dog can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and increase our activity levels. They also provide emotional support, which can be helpful for people with anxiety or depression. Additionally, taking care of a dog can provide a sense of purpose and routine, which can be beneficial for our mental health.

 

Protection

Another important role a dog can play in a family is that of a protector. While not all dogs are bred for protection, many breeds are naturally protective of their families. They can bark to alert us of potential dangers or intruders, and their presence alone can deter criminals from targeting our homes. This can provide a sense of security for the entire family.

 

Teaching Responsibility

For families with children, owning a dog can be a valuable opportunity to teach responsibility. Children can learn how to care for another living being by feeding, walking, and grooming their dog. This can help instill a sense of empathy and responsibility in children, which can benefit them in other areas of their lives.

 

Bringing Joy

Perhaps one of the most obvious roles a dog plays in a family is that of a joy-bringer. Dogs have a way of making us laugh and smile, even on our toughest days. They are always excited to see us and are often eager to play. Their unconditional love and affection can bring a sense of happiness to our lives that is hard to replicate.

 

Choosing the Right Dog for Your Family

While dogs can bring many benefits to a family, it’s important to choose the right dog for your household. Different breeds have different temperaments and activity levels, so it’s important to do your research before bringing a dog into your home. Some things to consider include:

  • Activity level: Do you want a dog that is high-energy and requires lots of exercise, or would you prefer a more low-key companion?
  • Size: Do you have enough space in your home and yard for a larger dog, or would a smaller breed be a better fit?
  • Temperament: Do you want a dog that is good with children or other pets, or do you have a specific temperament in mind?
  • Grooming needs: Some breeds require more grooming than others, so consider how much time and money you’re willing to invest in grooming.

 

The role of a dog in a family can be multifaceted. From providing companionship to teaching responsibility to bringing joy, dogs can have a positive impact on our lives. However, it’s important to choose the right dog for your household to ensure a successful and happy relationship. With the right breed and proper care, a dog can become an integral part of any family.

Lastly, dogs are intelligent animals with complex social and behavioral needs. While they are often referred to as “man’s best friend”, dogs are not born knowing how to behave in human society. Just like humans, dogs need to learn and follow social rules to live successfully and safely in their environment. This is where Lodge & Learn Training becomes crucial.

Basic Therapy Dog Requirements and How to Meet Them

Posted on by WebDev2021

Therapy dogs are not service animals but instead dogs who accompany their owners to settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.  Service dogs are specifically trained to perform specific tasks to help a person with a disability.  For example, a service dog might be a blind owner’s “eyes” or assist a person with a physical disability.  Therapy dogs bring comfort, affection, and happiness to people in confined situations such as hospitals and/or nursing homes.  They are also brought into schools after a crisis, as demonstrated by a fleet of Golden Retrievers being brought to Sandy Hook Elementary after the devastating shooting which took place there.

Roles of a Therapy Dog

Service Dog TrainingOne of the key roles of a therapy dog is to bring comfort to people recovering from a crisis.  They also assist those with learning disabilities, assist medical professionals in their practice, and serve as a calming element to those with mental disorders.  Therapy dogs are especially known for comforting those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.  In fact, there are several therapy dog programs which train and donate these exceptional animals to veterans.

Dog Power

These pups improve people’s physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.  Visits from therapy dogs can reduce anxiety without medication and have even generated positive responses and reminiscing from those with dementia.  Cancer patients have had their blood pressure brought down to an acceptable level to receive chemotherapy thanks to visits with service dogs.  Other healing affects associated with these amazing animals are decreases in stress, decreases in depression, decreased aggression, increased socialization, a greater sense of happiness and well-being, increased mental stimulation, and increased self-esteem.

Therapy Dog Training

Believe it or not, therapy dog training is fairly simple and easy to seek out.  For those interested in seeking out this certification, the dog must be at least one year old, healthy, the handler must have good character, and service dogs cannot be registered as therapy dogs.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends the best starting points being the AKC STAR Puppy Training Program followed up with the Canine Good Citizen Certification.  Both of these programs teach basic obedience, socialization, good manners, and being adaptive in a wide array of situations.

The therapy dog test itself is fairly simple and consists of two phases and thirteen tasks called tests.  Phase I covers the entry table or “dog reception”, check in and out of sight, walking around people, group sit/stay, group down/stay, recall on a 20-foot leash, and visiting with a patient.  Phase II consists of testing reactions to unusual situations, leave it part 1 and 2, meeting another dog, entering through a facility door, and reaction to children.

How Puptown Fits In

Therapy DogIf you live in or near The Woodlands, TX, you have the good fortune of being able to bring your dog to Puptown Houston to start their training.  We start off by teaching future therapy dogs basic obedience with fundamental commands like sit, stay, come, and leave it.  We also offer private classes, group classes, and “doggy day camp”.  With your permission, our expert trainers expose your dog to a wide array of environments and other people and animals by taking them for walks, to dog-friendly spots, hiking, outings in the park, and interaction with other dogs to develop socialization.

We understand that this crucial first step means a future therapy dog will be well-prepared for and comfortable in nearly any situation thus focused on preforming its job and taking care of its human.  Puptown’s professional dog trainers use programs that are in direct accordance with AKC obedience recommendations thus offer your pooch a great start if you want to get him or her certified as a therapy dog.

Good canine manners and obedience training are only part of having a future therapy dog.  The third piece of the puzzle is socialization and while this is easiest to teach a puppy of young dog, it can be learned by dogs of any age.  As you can see from the therapy dog tests, socialization is a huge part of the certification process and critical when introducing a dog to different individuals and environments.

Your dog will most likely be facing a multitude of people, places, and situations in their life and needs to be prepared for the outside world.  Once more, entrust your pup to our training specialists to familiarize your dog with a variety of scenarios and distractions.  This also helps our trainers to identify any fears or phobias and help your dog overcome these obstacles.  So if you are interested in training your pooch to be a therapy dog, contact Puptown Houston today to begin your fulfilling journey.

 

What You Need to Know About Service Dog Training

Posted on by WebDev2021

A therapy dog is an entirely different animal (pun intended) and in order to truly perform its job, a therapy or service dog needs to undergo extensive training to be properly registered and ensure it provides the necessary assistance to its owner.  The training is a two-fold phase as it involves good canine citizenship in nearly every scenario possible and being attentive to owner needs. Continue reading “What You Need to Know About Service Dog Training”