Therapy Dog Group Class

Gain the skills to succeed as a Therapy Dog team

Therapy dog teams can play a valuable role in our communities, helping those who are most vulnerable to get the benefits of interacting with dogs. A well-trained therapy dog will be calm and polite during interactions with the public, and needs to listen obediently to their handler. Their disposition needs to be calm and gentle.

In our Therapy Dog group class, you and your dog will learn the fundamentals of becoming a therapy dog team, including practice in real-world scenarios. You will also undertake a mock Canine Good Citizen (CGC) exam – a test which demonstrates your dog’s ability to be neutral in public settings.

Class Prerequisites

To participate in our Therapy Dog Group Class, dogs must have completed our Basic Obedience program (or equivalent).

Class Curriculum

Week 1

This week is an introduction to the skills needed to succeed as a therapy dog team.

Topics Covered

Introduction to therapy-dog expectations & the CGC test
Walking loose leash
Focus on handler
Walking around other dogs (evaluation)
Practice exercise: Walking past another dog calmly (10 ft)

Homework

5–10 min daily focus sessions
Loose-leash walking

Week 2

This week primarily focuses on loose-leash walking and polite greetings.

Topics Covered

Practicing and review loose leash walking and around other dogs
Automatic sit
Polite greetings with humans (no jump, controlled approach)
CGC Prep Item: “Sits politely for petting”

Homework

Practice polite greeting with 3 different people
10-minute walk focusing on calm transitions and automatic sit when stop.

Week 3

This week works primarily on down-stays and handling skills.

Topics Covered

Down-stay with distractions 10 ft
Introduce handling exercises:PawsEarsBrushing
CGC Prep Item: “Accepting friendly stranger” and “Grooming/handling”

Homework

Daily 3–5 minute down stay 10 ft
Handling routine at home for at least 2 minutes

Week 4

This week focuses on build real-world skills in practice scenarios.

Topics Covered

Walking past people, dogs, strollers, bags
Controlled greetings with another handler/dog pair
Introduce maybe noise or people jumping or running
CGC Prep Item: “Walking through a crowd”

Homework

Take dog to 2 new public-neutral places (parking lot, sidewalk, store entrance)

Week 5

This week primarily focuses on building skills around distractions and improving manners in public.

Topics Covered

Loose leash walking with sudden changes of direction
Recall foundation (“Come” with mild distractions) from 20 ft
Leave-it for food, toys, or fallen objects
Simulated therapy interactions: person approaching with walker person in wheelchair child-like movements
CGC Prep Items: “Walking on a loose leash,” “Reaction to distractions,” “Reaction to another dog”

Homework