FAQs — Straight Answers to Your Top Questions
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Can I really train my pet dog to be a therapy dog?
Yes! With the right support, almost any friendly, confident dog can learn the skills to become a certified therapy dog apart from UK banned breeds and dogs that need to be muzzled.
How long does the course take?
Most people complete it in 8–12 weeks. But you have lifetime access to learn at your own pace.
What do I have to do to become certified?
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Complete online workshops 1& 2 which will bring you and your dog to a silver level of training easily if you put in few minutes of fun practise with your dog every day. It takes commitment but all of our students tell us how great the video tutorials are. We certify dogs from all over the UK every week who had little training at the beginning.
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We will arrange a temperament and training needs assessment with a TDT UK Trusted Trainer in your area. At this informal session we check that your dog’s temperament is happy and confident to work in environments away from home with a suitable result.
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We will arrange your final dog training award assessment and help you achieve your Dog Training Award to the recommended Silver Level. This training helps to keep everyone safe and well in your therapy setting.
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Receive your Therapy Dog Training UK Certificate and be eligible to purchase your dog’s personalised uniform.
Do I need a specific breed?
No. Any breed can succeed if they’re calm, confident, and enjoy human interaction. We cannot train any breed banned under the UK Dangerous Dog Act or any dog that needs to be muzzled.
Can I train a puppy?
Absolutely, we recommend that you start foundation training early. Official therapy work can begin from 18 months old but to give yourself time and work at your dog’s pace the online training can start from as little as 12 weeks. We have an Introduction to Training for Puppies and Older Dogs if your puppy has little or no training. Our Therapy Dogs Workshops 1 & 2 assume that there is some basic training in place. We can also arrange an initial pre assessment of your dog if you would like this before commencing any of our training packages.
Can I bring my puppy into school or work?
We always recommend this once your puppy is trained and mature. However, we do recognise that if your dog is being trained as a school or resident dog this does happen earlier. Our Workshops 1&2 helps you prepare from the early stages right through to certification and does have a full chapter and resources on how to gently prepare a school dog from puppy stages
What level of training does my dog need?
They should walk calmly on lead, follow basic cues (sit, stay, settle), and be friendly with people and distractions. The recommended level of training for a puppy or school dog is a silver level, which our Workshops 1&2 will deliver you via our easy to learn video-based tutorials.
Is this just an online course?
It’s online for your convenience, to gently coach your dog at his/her own pace and at a time which is suitable for you, but you’re never alone. Our UK wide network of TDT Trusted Trainers is available for live training or 1:1 coaching, and our Certification Packages ensure our Trusted Trainers are available for personal coaching We are on hand to take calls, and provide video feedback if you need it.
Do you offer in-person fast track courses?
We run an in-person live weekend workshop in Bristol and our trainers occasionally run live Therapy Dog Courses across the UK. See our live training page to see when dates for our fast track are open.
I want to train a school dog — is this course suitable?
Yes. This course is perfect for schools and includes guidance on working in classrooms, safeguarding, and helping children with additional needs.
How old does my dog need to be to start therapy work?
Dogs can begin official visits from 18 months old once trained and assessed but training is best to begin as early as 12 weeks. All dogs will benefit from our training. We recommend that therapy dogs are retired around the age of 12 years but we just ask that you have regular assessments after the age of 12 years if you feel your dog is still happy and enjoying his visits.
