personal protection dogs that were therapy dogs? - Page 1

has anyone had or ever heard of a dog that was a pp dog and a therapy dog in one? or can a dog that make a good personal protection dog or police k9 also make a great therapy dog? it all has to do with stabliity correct? not because i want a therapy dog well i admire how well some are trained but having the duty of a therapy dog is just not something i am intereste din or anything me and my friend were just having the convo and wanted to get something straight so thought i would ask some more experienced people about it.  From what i thougt it is just depended on what the individual did with the dog like they have a choice to either start the dog as a therapy dog or protection and not both at the sametime type thing JMHO


like a dog with good genetics to be be a good personal protection or street k9 can do therapy work it just needs a differant foundation of training> ?

My sch 3 male lays on the floor with children who read to him to help them become better readers. They actually fight each week who gets to read to him :) It is the cutest thing ever and he is awesome at it.

Depends on the dog... depends on the handler... depends on the training... depends on the therapy.

My PPD did therapy with mentally retarded in a large institution back in the 70's... He also did Obedience, Dog Sledding, Conformation, and anything else I asked of him.  He was 4 before he saw his first sleeve... He was m y 24/7 companion and LOVED everyone unless I asked him to be on alert.  I had a number of people comment that Shepherds usually scared them, but that Shiloh was so calm and outgoing that he didn't bother them at all.

@GSDNewbie-
They have a program like you are describing at the Edmonton Public Library in Alberta, Canada.I think it's a really fun idea- engage children in reading and they can also learn that they don't have to fear all dogs. I am beyond horrified on a regular basis to have children run in absolute terror from me when I walk by with Senta on a leash. Senta LOVES children - she'll lie down on the ground to get closer to a child's level and vigorously wags her tail (she never wags otherwise).

Here's the program at EPL:

Paws for a Story
Come read a good tale to a furry friend with a real tail! Each child will have a 15-minute reading time with a dog or cat from the Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta. Bring your camera for a picture with your reading buddy after your session. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes before your assigned start time.
http://bit.ly/miJXa9

I read the FAQ from the Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta and at least for this society, the training required for a pet therapy dog isn't too onerous (good obedience, well socialized, and enjoys people plus a 12 hour pet education program and a mentored practicum).
http://www.pettherapysociety.com/faq/

Laura

 

Some therapy dog organizations do not allow dogs with any protection training.

That is an awesome program however this one is for helping children be better readers but the theory that dogs dont judge them while they struggle to read out loud to the dog. Of course the dog laying with them is support as well.

    I have wished they would do a proper dog safty special in each school to help them learn the dos and donts especially when meeting a dog and if they are outside alone and a strange dog comes along. I have put feelers out and have done this type visit years ago when I was sar with my older sons school but the younger sons  schools ten year difference have no wish to have such a thing. When I did sar I used rottweilers at the time when it just started really getting pupular to put dog bites in the news and just when ins companies started banning breeds. Try having a rott trained for a live victim find to snuggle the victim for body heat and bark to the search team as protocol until you get to them? When people have been taught to be scared of the breed?


    My Ulf adores children. He is my one year old. One day at a park there was a little girl standing scared lots of dogs around off leash is allowed. Her parents no where in sight and she was frozen in fear arms crossed high on her chest in middle of dogs fetching for owners and running around. Ulf went to her and the girl flinched. My then 8 month old pup who is more empathtic than any dog I have ever met, laid down beside her and put his head over her left foot. I watched them not calling him away and about 30 mins in the girls fingers brushed the top of his head and when he didnt move she became a little bolder and pet his head. He still didnt move. she talked with him. He swiveled his ears letting her know he was listening while still not moving. By the end of an hour they were playing ball, before we left she gave hima hug and she and I had a chat.  This dog is my service dog, and he loves the bite pillow and training toward sch. This is the gsd a dog that can do whatever he is needed to do with solid temperament and with intelligence and with heart.

My girl is personal protection and a service dog for me....so yes, it's more then possible.

Andy Maly Vah (GSDfan's dog) is SChHIII, PSAI and and passed his TDI (Therapy Dog International) testing.  I believe he used to visit Melanie's daughter's day care before he retired. 

Cheryl