Getting Your Dog ready to be a Therapy Dog

Therapy dogs and their handlers may visit the elderly, students, or people with disabilities. Therapy dogs must take and pass a test for the volunteer work they do. The dogs need to have excellent temperaments by acting calmly and comfortably around strangers. Not every dog is suitable to become a therapy dog, but there are activities you can do with your dog so that his personality may be more suited to this type of work.

Take your dog to crowded markets or shopping areas. Your dog needs to be comfortable around strangers to be a successful therapy dog. If he seems anxious around strangers, he is unlikely to pass the test. When tested, therapy dogs need to be comfortable when they are left alone with the test evaluator.

When walking your dog, teach him to follow on a loose lead, so it is obvious that he respects your control. If you use a retractable leash, you can gradually loosen the lead as your dog becomes more comfortable.

Play with your dog in public areas, where there are children. Your dog should be comfortable and well-behaved around adults and children. Teach him not to jump, sniff or act anxiously. Let him get used to being touched by strangers, so he reacts well with everyone.

Essenti Enterprises, LLC pet products can help you train your dog, so he obtains certification to become a therapy dog. Our scented dog toys are perfect for play at a park or public area.  We also have a wide variety of retractable leashes that are available for any size dog. Look at our selection, and use them to help your dog get qualified to assist others feel happy and comfortable. Let Essenti products help you and your dog bring joy to others.

Showing Your Dog: Improving His Physical Appearance

When entering your dog in a show, he is judged on his behavior and his appearance. Judges evaluate your dog’s appearance based on the breed’s standards.

Daily activities can help your dog maintain his appearance before you enter him in a show. Walk and play with him regularly, so he maintains a fit physique. Additionally, establish a routine for grooming and hygiene, so he remains healthy and shows well. This includes brushing his teeth, cleaning his ears and feeding him the right food. Dry food can help teeth remain healthy.

While regular care and hygiene is important, you want your dog’s coat to shine during a show. Therefore, you either need to hire a groomer who is knowledgeable about grooming show dogs and familiar with the standards of the breed, or you must be adept and knowledgeable enough to perform the task.

If you decide to hire a groomer, obtain referrals from other people who show dogs, contact a vet or ask for a recommendation from a kennel club. Meet with the groomer to discuss his qualifications. Pay attention to the cleanliness of the grooming area and where dogs are kept while waiting for grooming.

Regardless of whether you groom your dog or hire a professional, your dog’s physique, fur and features must look their best. Your dog will be inspected very carefully, and grooming tips vary depending on the breed and the type of hair. The Low Chens Australia website, for example, provides breed-specific grooming tips. Pay special attention to your dog’s feet, nails, fur and facial features when grooming him.

Inspect your dog’s toenails. If you hear them hit against a floor, they are too long. Clipping a dog’s nails can be difficult because if they are cut too short, the dog may bleed if the blood vein is cut. It is usually necessary to trim hair on longer haired dogs because it grows between their foot pads.

When shampooing the dog, he needs products based on his breed and hair type. Brush your dog before shampooing him. Longer haired dogs are dried with a dryer. As the hair dries, it is styled or cut to maximize attractiveness or hide imperfections. Shorter haired dogs are often towel dried, but their hair is brushed, styled and cut to maximize their physical appearance. Grooming can take hours, but is usually more time-consuming for long-haired breeds.

Essentit’s quality retractable leashes and dog toys can help dogs get the exercise they need to look healthy and fit for a show. You can also use them if your dog needs a short break from grooming. Browse our product line today.