Find an assortement of pet supplies for all kinds of pet animals.
I can’t find anything detailing what hamsters need, other than a good temperament and even-colored fur. While I’m not particularly interested in showing my hamster, I’d like to know if he’s show-quality. I’ve trained him to come when called, even.
I do love my hamster, and I don’t plan to show him, I was just curious. :<
My Boston Terrier is 3.5 years old and we are studying(training) together to pass a test (called Standards of Excellence) but we having quite a few difficulties. She is not hyper and she does have a good attention span, however, she will ONLY work for treats and nothing else. Sometimes she will do a behavior if she smells food on me. Here’s the problem. We must pass the STEX test without food lures or other tools. She will refuse to do a behavior or a set of behaviors despite knowing what I am asking her to do…She’s intelligent but is a chow hound and motivated by food. Any suggestions? She is a great dog with a solid temperament and we would make a great therapy team! In addition, I’d love for her to pass her CGC (Canine Good Citizen). I need help.
I will not use negative reinforcement -period. Once upon a time in my youth and ignorance I trained my now deceased Lab/Dalmatian mix using mostly punishment for not following my commands. He turned out to be a good reliable dog BUT looking back, I am surprised I did not turn him into a fearful, biting dog. Physical correction of a dog is NOT an option for me. Remember, this is a 17lb Boston Terrier here, I am not dealing with King Kong. To me, physical corrections only display the "handlers" weakness and not their superiority. My Boston Terrier has an electric personality and I do not wish to destroy that with punishment. She is a lovely dog with a GREAT attitude. So, for those who recommend punitive methods – thanks but no thanks.
I have a 12 month old male Basset Hound named Watson. He has a great personality is very loving, gentle, and for the most part calm. I live in a small rural area and would love to get him certified to becoming a therapy dog. Within my community I would love to be able to train him and be able to take him to senior centers and care homes to help brighten up the elderly that are there. Also within our hospital if they will allow it to visit sick kids and people who are terminally ill and dieing. Does anyone have experience in this? What steps do I need to take or training must be done before I can do something like this? Any information would be greatly appreciated!
I know Watson has the ability and temperament and would make a wonderful therapy dog and would bring many smiles and laughter to the lonely and sick. Thanks to anyone who answers!
By the way I live in Saskatchewan Canada.
I am trying to find a new house, which is REALLY hard when ignorant insurance companies have banned my breed of dog (dobermann) my 1 1/2 year old neutered male dobe has gone through TONS of training and temperament tests, he is an all around great dog. However the only way to bring him into the house I am currently looking at is to have a prescription for a service or therapy dog. I know people with PTSD sometimes have therapy dogs but what other reasons would I might need a companion dog for?
I just adopted 1y/o border collie who has the perfect temperament to be a therapy dog. Her only issue is paresis of hind quarters which inhibits sitting and down on command. I read on the TDI web site they primarily test based off of temperament but will her condition hold her back?
From what I have seen, my evaluation is: She loves everybody; men, women and children. When being petted by groups of 5 or more children, her biggest dillema is who to lick. She is stable with other dogs and is nonreactionary to aggressive and fearful dogs who she is already used for to work with. Normally with dogs or cats, if she is able to get close enough she just wants to lick their nose or roll over for play. Presley does great in crowds and does not react to bicycles, skate boards, wheel chairs, scooters or crutches. She walks perfectly on leash and is able to be tethered to chairs or aquaintances out of line of sight, normally she sits or lays down looking in the direction she saw me leave. When in crowds, she occasionally wants to sniff strangers but once she settles she ignores people until they approach her, she allows strangerto run in close proximity and walk and stand within 6 inches of her and to step over her.
Also, will licking, rolling over for belly rubs and gently leaning into pets affect evaluation and work?
I do have an email out to the closest evaluator but I thought there might be experienced people here.
thanks jeeeow, she IS an absolute delight! I don’t think I’ve ever bonded with a dog so quickly as I have with this girl.
also I would like her to go through Therapy Dogs International since I may be moving out of state. They base their test on a slightly modified CGC standard.
Lots of you will know that I am just a long-term fosterer of my dog. I consider him mine a) because it’s just easier than explaining the whole fostering process and b) because I pay for his food and give him a loving home, so i feel that gives me some right to refer to him as mine. I’ve had him for nearly a year and he won’t be leaving any time soon due to the arrangements myself/my family have with the shelter. He’s been with us too long for him to go to a new owner, everyone agree on that, so he’ll be around for a while. Sooner or later when I get my finances sorted, I’ll hand over a cheque for him, but it would be irresponsible for me to do that just now.
Annnyyyyway, he so has the temperament to be a therapy dog. I’ve looked at the guidelines and I’m certain he’d pass the assessment. They don’t ask for much – just dogs capable of coping with grooming, walking without pulling, unexpected noises, etc. He can do all that. The only thing he can’t do is cope with having his paws played with, but we’re working on that and he is improving slowly. The problem is they ask that you must have had legal ownership of the dog for – I think – 6 months. But Hooch isn’t mine at all and never had been.
When I asked for an application form to be sent out I specified he wan’t legally mine and somebody emailed me asking me to explain the situation which I did. She thanked me and told me she’d send an application form out shortly. She seemed perfectly happy with my explanation.
Does this mean he is eligible? Do I have to specify it on the application form again? I take it the shelter will have to know what I am doing, but will they have to give formal permission/be involved in any other way?
Lol they don’t *give* me the dog because while he is legally theirs, they still pay he vet fees. I cannot afford that sort of money at the moment and until I can, I can’t responsibly adopt him. Believe me, I would love to, but it’s just not possible at the moment.
P.S: I’M IN THE UK!!!! So no non-British organizations will be helpful to me, sorry. Pets As Therapy (PAT) is the British organization.
hello, i have always wanted a therapy dog. i have two dogs now but one is a bit fearful of strangers after an accident she had when she was younger and got hit by a car. and the other one is getting older and has a temperament toward younger kids with high voices and other dogs. so i am looking into getting a younger dog (under a yr is tht good?) or a little puppy. i want to know which dog breeds are good for therapy dogs. and i know that it depends how they are raised and trained. but also how the breed is whether they are a family dog or not. so i would like to know which breeds are good with people, and get along with other animals, and that i will be able to train to be a good therapy dog. (i am okay with a little challenge in training, but nothing out of control.) and also what are the requirement for a therapy dog as far as getting along with ppl? and other dogs? and anything else?? thanks in advance!
i would like a medium – large+ breed. and i definately do plan on looking up more, this means alot to me. i just want sort of ideas to look into. thank you all.
rotten rotts… i know that they need to get along people and dogs, i put that in as example of my requirements..i was asking what else besides that.. i have trained my dogs and outer family dogs. i know how to train a dog with good ol obedience
I want to start a dog walking service for people in my suburb but I have no idea where to start.
♥ How much should I charge? I am planning to walk them for an hour each day. I was thinking per walk but it might be too much.
♥ What do I ask people who want their dog walked? For example: temperament of dog, does it get along with other dogs… etc. without sounding too "weird".
♥ What else do I need?
If so, please let me know how they do, temperament, ability to work, etc. I am training a border collie mix dog for therapy work.
Thanks! She will be a speech therapy dog in a public school setting, so I wanted a more high-energy dog who would enjoy children and want to work longer hours than some of the more sedate breeds.
We are working hard on socialization (in town, around the block, at the dog park, Petco, Lowe’s) and she starts puppy obedience class June 5th. We are planning on at least one more obedience class, therapy dog training, CGC, and Delta certification at one year of age or a little older.
I will be visiting my local shelter/humane society next week to look for a kitten and want one that is very well socialized and friendly.
Eight years ago I got a sweet kitten from the pound (I still have him and he’s neutered), but he tends to be the nervous type and is a little shy and withdrawn. He is really only comfortable around me.
What are things to look for when judging a kitten for temperament? What kinds of "tests" can I do while looking the kittens over? I know what to look for as far as health goes. Thanks!