How to Choose a therapy dog
As a dog owner, you may be wondering why you should bother incorporating therapy work into your dog’s training plan. After all, don’t all dogs need to be trained? The answer is a resounding yes – all dogs do need to be trained. However, not all dogs will benefit from the same type of training. Some dogs will benefit more from therapy work than others. So, how do you know if your dog would benefit from In Home Puppy Training Classes, North Aurora IL?
Here are some signs that your dog will not be a good therapy dog:
-Your dog is shy or fearful around people and/or other animals
-Your dog has a history of aggression towards people and/or other animals
-Your dog is overly excitable and struggles to settle down
-Your dog becomes anxious or stressed in new environments or when there are changes in routine
If you’ve noticed any of these signs in your dog, then therapy work will not be a good option for this dog. But what is therapy work? And how can it help your dog? Let’s take a closer look.
Therapy work can be defined as “purposeful activity done with the intention of improving the physical, mental, and/or emotional well-being of an individual.” When it comes to dogs, this type of purposeful activity usually takes the form of positive reinforcement training. Put simply, positive reinforcement training rewards your dog for displaying desired behaviors. This type of training has been shown to be effective in reducing stress and anxiety in dogs, as well as increasing their confidence and self-esteem.
Conclusion:
If you’re on the fence about whether or not therapy work could help your four-legged friend, we hope this article has provided some helpful information for you to consider. From reducing stress and anxiety to increasing confidence levels, there are many benefits that come with incorporating therapy work into your dog’s training plan. Just remember – go at your dog’s pace, use positive reinforcement techniques that they respond well to, and most importantly – have fun!