Therapy Dog Training is now available in Huntsville, Alabama

    HUNTSVILLE, AL, September 26, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Well known in the Huntsville, AL area for his puppy training and dog training programs, Dale Buchanan of Top Gun Dog Training now offers Therapy Dog Training in Huntsville, AL.

A therapy dog lends comfort and affection to people in a facility setting or specific individuals who require visitation to deal with a physical or emotional problem. 

Therapy dogs are not Service Dogs who provide a specific service for a person with special needs and receive full public access per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They are also not Emotional Support Animals who require a prescription from a mental health or health care professional but need no special training or certifications to do their job. Dogs must be at least one year old to qualify for therapy dog certification. 

"There are 3 steps to getting a dog trained to be a Therapy Dog. After these 3 steps, you must take a test and be observed by the therapy dog organization for several public visits with your dog around people," explains dog trainer Dale Buchanan.

Step 1: Complete our Basic Dog or Puppy Basic Obedience Program. This gives you the foundation of basic commands, loose leash walking, and proper socialization skills.
Step 2: Take the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC). This test consists of 10 items listed here.  We can train and test you for this certification. (The AKC CGC is not a Therapy Dog certification)
Step 3: Complete our Therapy Dog Training program. This will ensure that you and your dog are fully prepared for the Tester/Observer to meet with you for evaluations and testing. 

"We can only prepare you for the therapy dog test. We cannot test you for Therapy Dog Certification.  Once you complete our program, we will recommend a Tester/Observer in your area," says Buchanan. "After the training, we can provide a list of organizations to complete the Therapy Dog Certification."

Therapy dog candidates are naturally calm, friendly, and affectionate to strangers. They are also well-trained in basic obedience and easily adaptable to novel noises, places, smells, and equipment. The therapy dog certifying organization may also require that your dog be healthy and well-groomed, with regular health and wellness check-ups.

In addition to winning this award, Dale has published three top-selling puppy training books, hosted over 81 Puppy Talk Podcast episodes, and successfully trained over 1,000 puppies. All of Dale's work has been well-received, with glowing reviews. Top Gun Dog Training is available to take on new clients for puppy training and dog training in Huntsville, Madison, Owens Crossroads, and Harvest, AL.

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