Can I train my puppy to be a therapy dog?

Any dog (apart from UK banned breeds) can be suitable for therapy dog work. The

following are some pointers to help you prepare a young dog for success.

Start basic training early on – to help build their confidence and help you to

understand and communicate with your dog.

Introduce your puppy to people, new environments and experiences – gently

and slowly & always at a distance!

If you are hoping to take your dog to work or visit a therapy setting, it is really

important not to introduce your puppy to a busy workplace or strange people too

early and to learn about and work with your dog’s development stages and welfare

needs. Our Therapy Dog Training UK online courses are a great place to start for

those looking to introduce a new puppy to the home or teach basic training to older

dogs, with a view to therapy dog work in the future

Learn about canine puppy development phases and your dog’s breed

characteristics to be aware of natural behaviours and understand the stages they will

do through.

Keep everything short and fun! Train for a just few minutes every day and new

experiences short lived. This makes things fun and exciting.

Don’t forget not every dog has a suitable temperament for therapy work, they may be

happier living at home with their family. To increase your opportunity for success,

purchase our Introduction to Training for Puppies and Older Dogs which

includes essential info and video-based dog training tutorials. Our UK network of

Trusted Trainers can offer live basic training classes.

If you are preparing to introduce a new puppy to your home with a view to therapy

dog work in the future then the Introduction to Training for Puppy & Older Dogs is an

ideal way to start.

The video based tutorials will provide a step by step guide to basic manners and

common behaviours using kind, reward based force free methods. The course will

help your young dog build confidence and learn the essentials, such as recall and

loose lead walking as well as help to manage unwanted behaviours.

There is also a general information pack on how to introduce your puppy or young

dog to his new environment.

This course is CPD Accredited for 24 hours.

Find out more about our Introduction to Training for Puppy and Older Dogs course