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CGC/TDI Class
Information on
testing, our class program, and advice on how to get
started:
In order to earn
certification through Therapy Dogs International (TDI),
your dog must pass a test conducted by a certified TDI
evaluator. Here is the link to the TDI site which
includes the test items and requirements
http://www.tdi-dog.org/
Once you've thoroughly
checked out the link, you may decide that your dog
is ready to be TDI tested right away. We
periodically offer TDI testing here at Trainers
Academy, so please give us a call to find out if
and when we have a testing date available.
Otherwise the link above can help you locate an
evaluator.
On the other hand,
if after reviewing the test items, you feel
that your dog needs more training before being
evaluated, we can help. Here is some advice,
and information on our class
offerings, designed to help to maximize your
chances for successfully passing the CGC
and/or TDI test.
First things
first, let's talk about training:
Using positive
reinforcement training will help your dog
make positive associations with the world
around him, and to become confident and
happy as a result… two traits that are
imperative to a therapy dog.
For
example, Certified Therapy Dogs have
to remain unfazed by medical
equipment. If your dog shows fear at
the sight of a wheel chair, we have to
change his association. "Correcting",
or reprimanding him around the wheel
chair will NOT make his fear go away.
In fact, he will then associate the
wheel chair with the aversive, and add
to his fear. Such an issue, handled
improperly could lead to the end of
his therapy dog career, or prevent it
even getting from starting! However,
by properly applying positive
reinforcement techniques, we can
change his perspective of the wheel
chair from scary to yipee!
Our
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)/Therapy
Dog Prep class will help you down
the path toward earning your
Canine Good Citizen certificate
and your Therapy Dog International
Certification, as we work through
training exercises based on the
test items. Prerequisite courses
to qualify for CGC/TDI Prep class
enrollement are graduation from
either our Intermediate, or
Greyhound-Only class.
Puppies Under 6 Months
If you have a puppy
CONGRATULATIONS! While
you may have to wait
until your dog is
1-year-old to get your
dog evaluated for
Therapy Work, and 6
months old to be CGC evaluated,
you are in the best
position to expose him
to the many people,
places and things that
will help him grow into
a calm and confident
dog.
The more he is
exposed to the
better! However, you
do want to make sure
all exposures
(people, places,
things, other dogs,
etc.) are positive
and fun for your
dog. Any trauma at
this age can create
fears that have a
lasting effect. That
is why we have
created tools like
the Puppy Class and DayCare…
to insure that your
puppy has a safe
place to go to be
exposed to other
dogs, people and
experiences. Your
instructor can also
help guide you
through additional
social exercises
that suit your dog’s
confidence level,
and personality.
Proper
socialization is
crucial and
Puppy Class can
help get you
started. The
class will also
provide the
foundation for
more training in
Intermediate
class.
My Dog is
Over 6 Months
Our
Intermediate
Class
works on
the base
level
behaviors
that
Therapy
Dog
International
tests on,
such as
Stay,
Coming
When
Called,
Leave It,
and
Controlled
Walking. Graduation
from
this class qualifies
you to
enroll in
the CGC/Therapy
Dog Class.
My
Dog Has
Had
Training,
But, it
wasn’t
at
Trainers
Academy,
LLC
Our
CGC/Therapy
Dog
Class
is
only
open
to
graduates
of
our
Intermediate
and
Greyhound-Only
programs.
In
the
class,
we''ll
be expanding
on
what
was
taught
in
the
prerequisite
class,
and
continuing
to
clicker
train
with
the
dogs.
Being
well
versed
in
the
method
(both
human
and
dog!)
is
necessary
and
required.
As
mentioned
above,
if
you
feel
that
your
dog
already
has
the
skills
required to
pass
the
CGC
and/or TDI
exams,
you
are
more
than
welcome
to
reserve
a
spot
during
our
open
test
dates
when
available,
or
visit
TDI
website
at
the
link
provided,
to
locate
a
a
qualified
TDI
Evaluator.
About AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Started in 1989, CGC is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The
Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet
ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the
10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.
Read more about the CGC testing requirements here.
About Therapy Dogs International (TDI)
http://www.tdi-dog.org/
Therapy Dogs International (TDI) is a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions and wherever else therapy dogs are needed. TDI was founded in 1976 in New Jersey.
TDI registers all breeds of dogs. Some dogs have pedigrees, while others have been adopted from local shelters or are rescue dogs. In 2008, over 19,000 dog/handler teams were registered with TDI.
To belong to Therapy Dogs International, all dogs must be tested and evaluated by a Certified TDI Evaluator. A dog must be a minimum of one (1) year of age and have a sound temperament. Each dog must pass a temperament evaluation for suitability to become a Therapy Dog, which includes the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC). The test will also include the evaluation of the dog’s behavior around people with the use of some type of service equipment (wheelchairs, crutches, etc.).
Please give us a call if you have any questions. We're here to help!
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