Companion Training for Dogs: From Basics to Therapy

Companion training for dogs is all about building a strong bond between you and your furry friend. With the right training, you can turn your dog into a loyal companion that's by your side through thick and thin.

Basic obedience training is a great place to start, as it lays the foundation for more advanced training. According to the article, basic obedience training can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to complete, depending on the dog's age and breed.

As you progress to more advanced training, you'll want to focus on socialization and desensitization. This is especially important for dogs that will be working as therapy animals, as they'll need to be comfortable in a variety of situations and around different people.

Socialization is key to helping your dog become confident in new environments and around new people. By exposing your dog to a variety of situations and people, you can help them become a well-adjusted and calm companion.

Join a basic obedience training group as soon as your dog is of the appropriate age, typically around 7 months old.

These classes will help you teach your dog simple commands like "sit", "stay", "down", "wait", and "drop it."

The instructor will use positive reinforcement methods, such as lavish praise, petting, and treats, to reward successful performance.

Most importantly, your dog needs to be reliable in their obedience training, even when distractions are present.

Training a companion dog is a significant undertaking, but with the right approach, you can achieve great results. The first step is to enroll your dog in a basic obedience training group, which typically starts when puppies are about 7 months old.

These classes will teach your dog simple commands like "sit", "stay", "down", and "wait." Positive enforcement, such as lavish praise, petting, and treats, is often used to reward successful performance.

To reinforce the training, practice the commands daily, using everyday activities to practice the skills. Praise vocally and give treats to encourage good behavior.

In just 6 weeks, your dog can learn a wide range of skills, including potty training, crate training, greeting people politely, door manners, and basic obedience commands. These skills will form the foundation of your dog's companion training.

Here's a breakdown of the skills your dog can learn in the first 6 weeks:

By following this structured approach, you can set your dog up for success and create a strong foundation for further companion training.

Training your dog requires a structured approach, and that's where training levels come in.

There are five training levels in total, each building on the previous one to help your dog develop good behavior and a strong bond with you.

Level 1, also known as Basic Obedience, focuses on teaching your dog the fundamentals of obedience, such as sitting, staying, and walking on a leash.

In this level, you'll also learn how to use positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior.

At Level 2, you'll introduce more complex commands, like "stay close" and "leave it", to help your dog navigate everyday situations.

This level also covers how to handle distractions and maintain your dog's focus.

Level 3 is all about socialization, where you'll take your dog to new environments and expose them to various people, animals, and objects.

This level is crucial in helping your dog become confident in new situations.

At Level 4, you'll focus on advanced obedience commands, such as "heel" and "wait", to refine your dog's skills.

This level also covers how to handle common problems, like pulling on the leash.

In Level 5, you'll work on specialized skills, like agility training or scent work, to challenge your dog and keep them engaged.

This level is perfect for dogs that have already mastered the basics and are ready for a new challenge.

Therapy dogs are special dogs that provide affection, comfort, and love through various forms of support. They're fully trained in obedience and manners, and are perfect for companionship.

To become a therapy dog, your dog needs specialized training, which includes professional obedience and manners training, as well as advanced training. This type of training will help your dog become a well-behaved and calm companion.

You can train your dog to be a therapy dog yourself, but it's recommended to find a local professional trainer with experience and a good reputation. They can help you enroll in group obedience and advanced training sessions for a successful outcome.

Some recommended trainers across Canada include Cochrane Cochrane Humane Society, Edmonton For the Love of Paws (FLOPPS), and Medicine Hat Sit Stay Come and Play.

Dogs that are obedient, calm, gentle, outgoing, and not easily overwhelmed are generally best suited for therapy dog work. They should also be comfortable being touched by many hands at once.

Here are some key characteristics of therapy dogs:

Dogs that are obedient, calm, gentle, outgoing, and not easily overwhelmed are generally best suited for therapy dog work. These characteristics help them provide affection and comfort to others.

While there are no breed or age restrictions for therapy dogs, not every pup is cut out for this special job. Dogs that are comfortable being touched, sometimes by many hands at once, are ideal.

Observing your dog's behavior in various settings, such as schools, hospitals, or nursing homes, can help you determine if they have the right temperament for therapy dog work. If they show signs of stress, such as retreating or abnormal panting, it may not be the right fit.

Therapy dog work requires teamwork, and as a handler, you'll need to be comfortable engaging in conversation with people of all ages.

Here are some key traits to look for in a potential therapy dog:

These traits will help your dog provide the comfort and affection that therapy dogs are known for.

Training a therapy dog can be a life-changing experience for both you and the people you visit. Interactions with therapy dogs have been shown to cause lower blood pressure.

Therapy dogs bring joy and comfort to the community, and their presence can reduce anxiety. As a therapy dog team, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives.

Interactions with therapy dogs have also been shown to increase levels of endorphins in humans. This is because being around dogs can be a natural stress-reliever.

Therapy dogs have higher-than-average levels of endorphins and oxytocin compared to other pets. This means that they're not just benefiting the people they visit, but also themselves.