Rtdt is Rewarding Therapy Dog Training Business

Consider all the points to a start up a therapy dog training business by seeking out all the good and the difficult areas.  My daughter should be writing this, since she is an excellent therapy dog trainer.  Kathryn began with simple tasks for her own 2 Labradors which escalated into helping others achieve those tasks in their dogs too. With consideration number one should be a desire.  Of course everything a person does well they put their heart into it and sometimes all of their bodies too.

We are not talking about fetching, sitting, lay and come commands in dogs who will be groomed for therapy work, however it starts with simplicity.  Dogs learn to want to please the pet owner.  They want the treat that comes with doing what they are expected to do, but the praise is, or I would like to know it is, more important than the goodies. I have personally witnessed a hyper dog who wanted to please its master so much, the dog settled down long enough to do the task then went back to the crazed state.  That is what you call persistence paying off with training.  If the trainer buys into the crazy state and begins hollering, then there are 2 crazies in that picture. Some breed dogs get the command quickly yet others need some repetition in lessons to be learned. 

It is not absolute, but it sure helps if you have a dog to do some practicing on as you are teaching other dogs to obey.  If you don’t have a dog, that might be like trying to learn how to type without a keyboard.  If you have a dog in the family, it can be used if your apartment does not allow pets. There are ways to get around not having a dog for your rewarding dog training business, but  so much more difficult a task.

When the dog is being trained, it needs to be subjected to hospital and convalesent equipment since those are the surroundings they are  being trained to perform well upon graduation. You, will be the pack leader, so you will be on the other end of the leash when your dog goes on duty in those facilities. A welcome will mostly be directed toward your dog, so don’t expect to be the center of attention when you show up in any care facility building.

Dedication from the beginning is sorely required.  This is not one of those businesses that you begin and then give up when the effort is not paying off as you hoped.  The more you think of throwing in the towel, the more that little voice within you, should say no.  Residents who are confined to living the days they will be required to stay where they get the treatment they need, could depend on you more than you might ever know.  The bright spot in their week could just be a furry fellow they can pet and get joy from without any side effects.

Studying will be required so you can direct your dog to fulfill his duties in a completely acceptable manner. Your temperament  will be absorbed by your dog in training. Special people help others less fortunate than themselves and still remain well enough to keep that energy going in the correct direction. When you determine you are giving for the right reasons, you know you have chosen the right business.

To summarize what your resume should contain take a glance at these.

1.  Desire to begin a therapy dog training business.

2.  Patience with sometimes a hair splitting,  four legged critter.

3.  A dog

4.  Willingness to go to hospitals, rest homes, retirement homes, assisted living facilities and schools with your therapy trained dog.

5.  Dedication to begin, pursue and succeed in bringing trained dogs to the sick, elderly and dying too.

6.  Good health and proper purpose are prerequisites for RTDT.