All Dogs Need Jobs! Pibbles Are GREAT Therapy/Service Animals

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Getting Your Dog Started On The Path To Becoming a Therapy Dog
by Patch O' Pits Therapy Dogs on Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 12:13pm

If you'd like to have your dog become a therapy dogs it all revolves first around a dog that has a good "rock solid" temperament, working ability, and a great love and tolerance for all sorts of people. After that, it's a ton of socialization and basic obedience and then from there a lot distraction training work and exposing her to many different types of equipment, environments, and situations.

Some orgs require a CGC and some don't. But is is always nice to have a CGC especially with a bully breed like the APBT just to show what great dogs they are. Some insurance companies will also give you a discount if the dog has one which is another plus. Just remember the CGC is NOT a therapy dog test. Some dogs who pass it actually may not be able to pass therapy dog testing. It is just another tool along the way.

Here is a link to info about it:
http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm

When you think your dog is ready you can choose to test from one of a variety of different orgs.
I have links to a few organizations on the links part of my Patch O' Pits Therapy Dogs facebook page. On there, I also have a TON of stuff written up in older posts if you have time to scroll down and in the notes section. Feel free to drop by the page to ask more questions.

Here is a note on what it takes to be a therapy dog/handler team:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Patch-O-Pits-Therapy-Dogs/109667229071922?v=app_2347471856&ref=mf#!/note.php?note_id=141516862531458

You can also post any questions you have here and I'll gladly answer. Another option is to go onto APBT Network University where I put a lot of that same info in easier format, but you have to make a quick account to sign into the site. Here is the link: http://www.ukcpitbull.com/edu2/

Look around and ask questions I'm here to help and there are a lot of other knowledgeable people on this page who are very helpful too. Let me know if you need more info or specifics on any aspect of it.