One of the questions that I enjoy the most is when people ask me how they go about getting their dog started as a therapy dog. Being a therapy dog is not only a very rewarding experience for your dog but it is also a very rewarding experience for you as a dog owner and it enables you to give back to your community but that being said, how do you begin?

The first step in determining whether your dog is suited the therapy dog life is to assess his personality and character, if you have a high energy dog with a high prey drive then he is most likely not suited to being a therapy dog; however, if you have a dog who thrives around people then the chances are that he could make a very good therapy dog. You should also realize that being a therapy dog “handler” is going to demand more from you than just a visit once a week to a local hospital or nursing home, it takes dedication and most of all a love for what you are doing.

Once you have determined that you and your dog are ready to embark on the journey of becoming a therapy dog and a therapy dog handler you want to contact various agencies that offer therapy dog services and determine which is suited to you: do you prefer elderly people, are you uncomfortable in hospitals, does your dog prefer children etc. When you have settled on a program it is time to begin the training process. Training programs for therapy dogs are specially suited to the needs and demands of being a therapy dog, they will train your dog to understand his new environments and to behave well around strange, elderly or even sick people and get him used to being touched and even manhandled (especially if you will be working with children.) Finally once you and your dog have completed the necessary training to be certified you will be certified as a therapy dog and handler and matched up with a program close to you!

Being a therapy dog handler can be a lot of work but it is also one of the most rewarding things you can choose to do with your dog!

Dog bites are a serious problem in the United States. Each year, an estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Around 17 percent of these people require medical care. And in approximately 10-20 tragic cases per year, the bite victim is killed. The CDC has labeled dog bites in America an “epidemic.”

In response to this growing problem, some communities have banned ownership of certain dogs that are perceived as dangerous, particularly pit bulls and rottweilers. Are some breeds really more dangerous than others?

Breed characteristics

It’s difficult to determine just how much a dog’s genetics determine his behavior, just like it’s hard to know how much of a person’s personality is nature and how much is nurture. It’s true that some breeds simply have more ability to injure people than others do. Though it’s no more likely to bite than a smaller dog, if it does bite, a Great Dane can do much more damage than a Maltese, for example. (Even very small breeds can be dangerous to children, however.)

A study performed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the CDC, and the Humane Society of the United States, analyzed dog bite statistics from the last 20 years and found that the statistics don’t show that any breeds are inherently more dangerous than others. The study showed that the most popular large breed dogs at any one time were consistently on the list of breeds that bit fatally. There were a high number of fatal bites from Doberman pinschers in the 1970s, for example, because Dobermans were very popular at that time and there were more Dobermans around, and because Dobermans’ size makes their bites more dangerous. The number of fatal bites from pit bulls rose in the 1980s for the same reason, and the number of bites from rottweilers in the 1990s. The study also noted that there are no reliable statistics for nonfatal dog bites, so there is no way to know how often smaller breeds are biting.

Owner responsibilities

This study supports what many veterinarians have believed for years: nearly any dog can be aggressive or nonaggressive, depending on his training and environment. Owners play a big part in making sure that their pet is safe around other people. There are several steps you can take to help ensure that your dog isn’t dangerous.

• Restrain your pet. Unrestrained dogs cause about 82 percent of all fatal bites. Keeping your dog on a strong leash whenever you’re in public is a big first step toward preventing bites. Strangers and a strange environment may startle your pet. Extra precautions should be taken to make ensure your pet is at ease. If you leave your dog alone outdoors, your yard needs to be enclosed with a six- to eight-foot fence, depending on your dog’s size.
• Socialize your puppy. Puppies are more open to learning between the age of 8 and 12 weeks. This is the opportune time to start puppy classes and begin socialization with other pets. It is important to introduce the puppy to animals with a known vaccination history. Talk to your veterinarian about the proper time to take your canine friend to puppy classes, the park and the pet store. Socialize your puppy by taking him anywhere where he can interact with people and other dogs in a nonthreatening environment. Be sure to praise him when he interacts well with others.
• Spay or neuter your dog. Intact (non-neutered) male dogs are responsible for approximately 80 percent of fatal bites. When dogs are altered, they lose some of their territorial instincts, including a lot of their territorial aggression.
• Train him not to bite. Dogs will mouth, chew and bite everything from your hands to your furniture until you teach them that it’s inappropriate. If your dog is biting or growling at you or other family members, distract him with a quick sound, such as a clap or a sharp “ouch!” Then redirect his attention to a chew toy. Remember, timing is everything. Make sure your noise is heard at the exact moment the dog is biting. The dog will not understand what is going on if the noise occurs after the bite (they cannot make that connection). Also be sure to reward him when you catch him chewing on the right things.
• Watch your dog’s behavior. This may be the most important part of preventing your dog from biting. It’s easy for owners to be in denial that their sweet, furry Fido may be a threat. But if your dog exhibits any of the following behaviors, it’s time for your veterinarian’s help: growling at, snapping at, or biting family members; growling or snapping at strangers; or extreme fear of strangers.

If you see signs that your dog could be aggressive or dangerous, you can ask your veterinarian to refer you to a veterinary behavioral specialist. While your dog is being treated for aggression, be careful with him in public. Be sure to warn strangers to use caution if they interact with him. It may be important to wear a basket muzzle while out in public until the aggression is managed properly. A gentle leader may also be very helpful in controlling your pet when out in public.
Following these directions won’t guarantee that your dog won’t bite, but they’ll certainly make it less likely. Any dog that is well restrained and well trained can be perfectly safe, regardless of breed. The truth is, an irresponsible owner is much more dangerous than any dog.

Article Courtesy of HealthyPet.com

Not many people want to adopt older dogs from the shelter, especially older dogs who are not already trained whether it be house trained or obedience trained; however, the fact remains that senior dogs can be taught new tricks and are usually more eager to please than younger puppies who don’t particularly know the meaning of having an owner.

The thing to keep in mind when bringing an older dog in to your home is that that dog is more aware of how lucky he or she is to be in your home and have you as his owner. While training your older dog isn’t going to happen overnight it is going to happen with a little patience on your part and a few treats don’t hurt either.

Training your older dog is not much different than training your younger dog, take things in your stride and remember to reward good behaviour – older dogs are particularly receptive to praise reward as well as treat reward and will progress at their own pace just as any dog will.

There are many different approaches to dog training and many different ways of implementing each of those approaches. Most techniques utilized today however, are premised upon the idea that positive reinforcement is likely to create the best results. Virtually every truly functional dog training system is outgrowth of positive reinforcement thinking.

Regardless of which specific program a dog owner may choose to adopt, there are common pitfalls that can be avoided. Dog owners are particularly susceptible to making three critical errors, which if avoided will make the training process far more enjoyable and effective. Three of the most common mistakes are inconsistency, impatience and treating the dog as a subject instead of a training partner.

Inconsistency

Consistency may be hobgoblin of little minds in terms of the need for human creativity. With respect to dog training, however, inconsistency is the quickest way to reduce the experience’s effectiveness.

Dogs thrive on predictability. In fact, their ability to grasp cause and effect is at the very root of training. Operant conditioning is predicated on the fact that dogs will begin to associate events with consistent outcomes. This notion of consistency’s importance must be extended to the overall process of dog training.

A dog is likely to best respond to a system in which regular actions produce regular results. Too often, dog owners fail to be entirely consistent. In the dog’s mind, these lapses in regularity convey a sense of randomness to the process and make it difficult for the pet to associate his specific behaviors with specific results-the key to training. Dogs will excel when they are taught that things happen for specific reasons. When surprises occur it undermines the whole of the training process.

A successful trainer will retain consistency and will not deviate from an established course.

Impatience

There can be a great deal of frustration in dog training. Concepts we believe dogs should be able to grasp easily often escape them completely for quite some time.

We live in a world that is so often focused on immediate results. We learn to expect that our actions will be met by prompt, anticipated responses. Dog training runs counter to this societal trend toward speedy, immediate gratification. Training is an extended process that can require a great deal of patience from the trainer.

Impatience results in unpredictability on the part of the owner as they hastily cease a training session or abandon positive reinforcement techniques in hopes of finding a shortcut to desired results. Patience is, indeed, a virtue when one considers the role of the owner in a dog training situation.

A successful trainer will master developing a patient outlook throughout the extended process of dog training.

Treating The Dog As A Subject Instead Of A Partner

Dog training requires two participants: the dog and the owner. Frequently, however, owners tend to perceive the process as being uniquely about them. They fret over their techniques, equipment and strategies without giving real consideration to their training partner, the dog.

When an owner approaches the dog as a simple subject for experimentation, they lose track of what makes the dog unique and denigrate the always-important dog/owner relationship. Training becomes a chore, rather than a joint activity. What might have been a pleasurable chance for interaction becomes an un-enjoyable task.

Dogs are sufficiently intuitive to be attuned to a trainer’s attitude and are less receptive to learning when they are treated merely as a subject instead of as a complete being. Owners who fail to see their pet’s identity during training are unable to pick up on subtle clues and possible means to improve their techniques.

The successful trainer will treat his dog as a full partner in training, not merely as a subject.

By avoiding these three common pitfalls, a dog owner is more likely to be able to implement a training strategy that produces results. Additionally, the training experience is likely to be enjoyable for both the dog and owner, giving them a tremendous opportunity to build their relationship. Regardless of the exact methodology adopted by the owner, the training process will benefit extraordinarily from avoiding the mistakes of inconsistency, impatience and treating your pet as a subject instead of as a partner.

Dog Article courtesy of I-Love-Dogs.com

Children that grow up with dogs often time grow up with a better sense of responsibility as well as the knowledge of how to care for something living and a better appreciation of animal life; however, before you run out and pick up that perfect little puppy for your child there are certain things that you must know.

The primary mistake people make is believing that having a child grow up with a puppy from birth is a “cute” bonding experience. The truth of the matter is that your child as a newborn has absolutely no idea who this furry thing is nor does he/she have any concept of caring for or interacting with it. Having a dog already in the home that has been a part of your family is certainly different from this situation, however, we are talking about going out and purchasing/adopting a new puppy so your child and puppy can grow together. The main focus of this no-no is the fact that raising a human infant is hard enough and adding a puppy in to the mix always results in undue burden on the mother/father of the family in particular. Raising a new puppy is not much different from raising a human infant although the time frame goes a lot faster it is JUST as much work. Situations such as this almost always end up in “giving away” the dog or turning him in to a shelter because of the “inability to give him enough attention” which is simply a way to say “I made a mistake and took on more than I could handle” so the simple solution is to learn from other people making this mistake and just don’t do it.

Dogs are great companions for children when they are older; however, and only you can truly be the judge of how old your child will be before they can be held responsible for a pet; however, keep in mind that even as your child’s responsibility you are going to have to pitch in as well – walking the dog at night, taking him to the vet, taking on the financial burden of monthly heartworm/flea medications, yearly vet visits and kennel stays. Despite the fact that you may be buying your pet “for your child” the simple fact remains that a dog is a family member and he should be shared as a responsibility by the whole family. If one family member disagrees that a dog is a good addition to the family then the whole idea should be a no go, adding a dog to the family should ALWAYS be a group decision.

If you’re searching to add an older dog to your family in order to avoid the puppy days you would be best served going with a dog who has experience with children and is known to have a gentle temperament. You can find out these traits by talking with your local rescue organizations and shelters. Keep in mind that not all dogs are good with children as well, stereotypes generally throw people off when it comes to this topic. Generalizations such as “aggressive breeds such as pitbulls are bad dogs for children” and “labs are always good with children” are a TERRIBLE guideline for picking out your new pet. I can tell you from first hand experience that my Labrador (before behavioural intervention) was TERRIBLE with children, he hated them because he had never been socialized with them as a puppy (I accept full responsibility for this matter which is why we used behavioural interventions with him) and I have known a fair few pitbulls who had been the kindest and most gentle dogs with children – so you see it’s more the individual dog than it is the breed. Before you pick out your dog visit him a few times with your children, take your time and find out as much as you can about the dog as an individual (don’t forget to research the breed to see if yours is a suitable lifestyle for it as well.)

My final tip on dogs and children is to NEVER EVER EVER leave your child unattended with a dog, regardless of how long your child has known it or how old your child is, all it takes is one accidental step on a paw or one playful tug of the toy for your dog to be startled and nip at your child. Dogs rarely understand the division between human and canine siblings and as a result they nip at children much as they might with their canine siblings. It is easy enough to teach our dogs “no” but on occasion, just as we do, they are prone to getting carried away with the situation.