Therapy Dog Training Charlotte from Start to Finish

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Starting your therapy dog training journey in Charlotte can be a rewarding experience for both you and your furry friend. To begin, you'll need to find a reputable training school or organization that specializes in therapy dog training.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends that therapy dogs be at least one year old and have basic obedience skills. This foundation is essential for a successful therapy dog training program.

In Charlotte, you'll find several training schools that offer therapy dog training programs. These programs typically include socialization, obedience training, and exposure to various environments and situations.

By following a structured training program, you can help your dog develop the skills and temperament necessary to become a certified therapy dog.

If this caught your attention, see: Basic Obedience Training for Puppies

Therapy Dog Training in Charlotte

Therapy dog training in Charlotte is a great way to teach your dog valuable skills.

To get started, you can begin with basic manners dog training classes. These classes help your dog learn to ignore distractions and listen to you.

Private training sessions are also an option, and they can be held with you, your dog, and a trainer. These sessions typically don't exceed $130 per session.

You can also find private dog training sessions in Charlotte, NC, which can be a convenient option for many owners.

Training Classes and Programs

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In Charlotte, you can find various training classes and programs to help your dog become a therapy dog. Manners Charlotte Dog Training Classes offer basic manners dog training, which is a great starting point for emotional support or service dog training.

Private training sessions are also available with Manners Charlotte Dog Training, which can be a good option for those who prefer one-on-one attention. These sessions max out at $130 per session.

Therapy dog training is the next level of training after basic manners, and Manners Charlotte Dog Training offers a class specifically designed for this purpose. During this class, your dog will learn to ignore distractions and listen to you.

Commander-in-Leash Dog Obedience & Behavior Training is another professional dog training company in Charlotte that offers a wide variety of training services, including therapy dog training. They also offer behavioral modification and group obedience training.

Queen City Canine is a full-service professional dog training company that provides a range of services, including obedience training, behavioral modifications, and basic command instruction. They also offer one-on-one training sessions and group dog training and socialization.

Private dog training sessions are also available with Mariah Hinds Dog Training, which can be a good option for those who prefer personalized attention. These sessions can be a great way to get started with therapy dog training.

Take a look at this: Dog Training Group Classes

Titles

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If you're thinking about earning an AKC Therapy Dog title for your furry friend, you'll need to meet certain requirements. AKC Therapy Dog titles are a great way to recognize your dog's hard work and dedication to therapy work.

AKC offers six levels of therapy dog titles, each with its own set of requirements. The title levels are as follows: AKC Therapy Dog Novice (THDN), AKC Therapy Dog (THD), AKC Therapy Dog Advanced (THDA), AKC Therapy Dog Excellent (THDX), AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished (THDD), and AKC Therapy Dog Novice (THDN) is the entry-level title.

Here's a breakdown of the requirements for each title:

To earn an AKC Therapy Dog title, your dog must be certified or registered by an AKC recognized therapy dog organization, and you must submit an application with the required fee.

Documentation and Requirements

To earn the AKC Therapy Dog title, you and your dog must complete at least 50 therapy visits. These visits must be documented with time, date, location, and a signature of a staff person at the facility.

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To document your visits, you can submit one of three options: the AKC Therapy Dog Record of Visits Form, a certificate or wallet card from a certifying organization indicating 50 or more visits, or a letter from the facility where your dog served as a therapy dog. The letter must be on facility letterhead and include contact information for verification purposes.

Here are the specific requirements for each option:

  • Therapy Dog Record of Visits Form (AKC form or your own)
  • Certificate or wallet card from a certifying organization
  • Letter from the facility (nursing home, school, hospital, etc.)

Test Requirements

If you're planning to become a therapy dog, it's essential to understand the test requirements. The dog must be at least one year old to be tested.

To pass the test, your dog needs to demonstrate basic obedience skills, such as sitting, lying down, and waiting under control. This includes standing, sitting, or laying down and waiting under control within the reach of their owner while the owner sits at a counter or table and completes paperwork.

Your dog also needs to remain calm in the presence of other dogs and people, including children. This means they should be able to ignore children on cue while they run, yell, play ball, and drop things.

Photo of Person Holding Black And White Dog
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A Therapy Dog must be able to walk on a loose leash in a new environment and not pull. They should be able to execute left and right turns, stop, fast and slow pace, and walk through a crowd without pulling on the leash.

Here are the specific requirements your dog needs to meet:

  • Stand, sit or lay down and wait under control within the reach of their owner while the owner sits at counter or table and completes paperwork.
  • Remain calm in the presence of other dogs and people, including children.
  • Walk on a loose leash in a new environment and not pull.
  • Ignore children on cue while they run, yell, play ball, and drop things.
  • Enter or exit through a doorway or narrow passageway (on leash, with owner) in a controlled manner.
  • Be environmentally sound and tested on high gloss floors, willingness to enter a revolving or sliding door, and willing to enter an elevator.

Documenting Visits

To document your therapy dog's visits, you'll need to keep track of at least 50 visits. These visits must be recorded with the time, date, location, and a signature of a staff person at the facility.

You can use the AKC Therapy Dog Record of Visits Form, or create your own form. Alternatively, you can use a certificate or wallet card from a certifying organization that indicates your dog has made 50 or more visits.

If you're documenting visits with letters from facilities, make sure they're on facility letterhead and include the facility's name, address, contact person's name, phone number, and/or email address. This information will be used for verification purposes.

Research and Resources

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If you're interested in learning more about therapy dog training in Charlotte, there are several resources available to you.

The Humane Society of Charlotte offers a variety of training classes for dogs, including those specifically designed for therapy work. Their classes cover basic obedience, socialization, and behavior modification.

In Charlotte, therapy dogs are required to be registered with a national organization, such as Pet Partners or Therapy Dogs International. This registration process involves an evaluation of the dog's temperament, behavior, and training.

The cost of therapy dog training in Charlotte can vary depending on the organization or trainer you work with, but many offer affordable options for those on a budget. Some organizations even offer scholarships or financial assistance to help make training more accessible.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification, which is often a prerequisite for therapy dog registration. This certification requires dogs to pass a series of tests evaluating their obedience, socialization, and behavior in a variety of settings.

Uber

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UberDog Training is a full-service professional dog training company operating in Charlotte, North Carolina, and its surrounding areas.

They specialize in high-quality and attentive training solutions for all dog sizes, ages, and temperaments.

Owner and founder Greg Bellew is a certified dog trainer and a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals.

UberDog Training offers a wide range of training services including one-on-one training sessions, in-home training, obedience training, behavior modification, and group training and socialization.

Tina Tromp

Senior Writer

Tina Tromp is a passionate writer with a specialization in animal-related topics. With a keen interest in the human-animal bond, she has penned articles on dog training and canine therapy training, showcasing her expertise in the field. Her writing style is engaging, informative, and accessible to a wide range of readers.

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