How to Train Your Dog to Visit Hospitals

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How to Train Your Dog to Visit Hospitals

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6-9 Months

Work

Introduction

Your dog is an angel in a fur coat and everyone who meets him can't help but smile. You've read about the benefits to elderly patients in the hospital that are visited by dogs. Apparently, our fur-friends have the ability to lower blood pressure and speed up recovery times, plus it just plain makes people feel good. With your dog being such a sweetheart, you feel it's truly his calling to become a hospital therapy dog.

Defining Tasks

A dog that visits hospitals is expected to be a paragon amongst dogs. Not only must his behavior be impeccable at all times, but he must be bombproof should something unexpected happen, and accept being fussed by strangers without getting anxious or upset.

This means the dog must be well-socialized from a young age and have a good level of basic obedience training. Indeed, dogs are expected as a minimum requirement to meet the Kennel Club's "good canine citizen" requirements. Thus the dog should be well-mannered, calm in all situations, and obedient to the owner.

In addition, the dog must be in good health, vaccinated, and clean.

Getting Started

Given the requirement for the dog to be rock steady in a range of situations, most hospital therapy dogs are adults in their middle or mature years, who have matured and got over puppyish high spirits. To train the dog to an adequate standard of obedience you will need:

Treats
A good knowledge of reward-based training methods
Time and patience
A dog that has been well-socialized since a young age
A collar and leash
The dog has passed the good citizen test and assessment by an independent observer.

The Acclimatization Method

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Step

Understand the idea

The dog needs to be bombproof in a range of circumstances he may encounter in the hospital. This ranges from being petted by strangers to being exposed to loud noises or shouting. It's helpful to think through the sorts of sights or sounds the dog will encounter and then practice meeting them in a familiar environment, so the dog becomes acclimatized.

Step

Crashes and clattering

A stainless steel kidney dish falling to the floor makes a loud noise, which would alarm most dogs. Practice at home, by having a friend make a variety of noises but some distance away. When the dog stays calm and doesn't react, reward him. Gradually bring the source of the noise closer, rewarding the dog each time he stays calm.

Step

Meeting strangers

The dog will meet many new people in a hospital and must greet them in a calm and accepting manner. To a certain extent, this training must start as a puppy. During the pup's socialization window (prior to 18 weeks of age) he should be gently exposed to a wide range of people, who reward his calmness with treats. Into adulthood, make sure he regularly meets people and enjoys their company by rewarding him with praise, fuss, or treats.

Step

Accept coughing or other human noises

In a hospital, the dog will encounter a range of human-generated noises from coughs and heavy breathing to shouting. Practice exposing the dog to this at home. Start at 'low volume' with a quiet cough and gradually increase the volume, rewarding the dog's calm behavior.

Step

Accept wheelchairs and strange equipment

The dog should be comfortable around wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. A staged introduction by walking the dog past a wheelchair at a distance and gradually moving closer is a good way to acclimate the dog.

The Do's and Don'ts Method

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Step

Do not force an anxious or fearful dog to participate

Be realistic about your dog's personality and character. A highly strung nervous dog or one that is bouncy and boisterous are not suitable as hospital visiting dogs.

Step

Make sure your dog is well socialized

Dogs that were socialized well from early puppyhood are most likely to make good therapy dogs. This is because they are self-confident and able to interact with strangers without fear and anxiety.

Step

Do not forget the health requirements

Dogs that visit hospitals have to meet certain hygiene standards and be up-to-date with preventative care such as vaccinations, deworming, and flea control. Failure to do this will result in exclusion from any therapy dog program.

Step

Get a professional to test the dog

Most institutions require the dog to be assessed by a specialist, prior to enrollment as a hospital dog. Most schemes are dependent on the dog passing this test in order to be enrolled.

Step

Don't force a dog into a situation outside their comfort zone

Never attempt to force a dog into a situation he's not comfortable with. A fearful dog is more likely to bite or snap, which cannot be tolerated in the hospital environment.

The Obedient Dog Method

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Step

Understand the idea

Hospitals are responsible for the health and welfare of their patients. Only a well-behaved dog will be allowed on the premises because of the problems an out of control dog would pose. The dog is expected to be well-trained and respond promptly to basic commands so that he's under control at all times.

Step

'Sit' and 'stay'

These two basic commands allow you to control the dog and keep him in one spot. This is useful if the dog is about to move and get under someone's feet. Use a treat to lure the dog into a sitting position, and mark the action by saying "Sit". Extend the time the dog is expected to sit before a food treat is given. Mark this time with the word "Stay".

Step

'Come'

A strong recall allows you to bring the dog to your side, should he be approaching someone who doesn't like dogs. Practice by saying "Come" when the dog happens to be moving towards you, then reward the dog with a treat. He will learn that responding to "Come" earns a treat.

Step

Walking on a loose leash

Having the dog under control on a leash is important. Practice by walking the dog on a leash, but stop if he starts to pull. Wait until the leash goes slack before moving off again. The dog will learn that pulling gets him nowhere, while steady walking is rewarded by getting where he wants to go.

Step

Teach 'give' or 'leave it'

This is helpful in a hospital environment if the dog goes to pick up something he shouldn't. Practice by having the dog hold a toy he likes, then offer him a treat. As he drops the toy to take the treat, say "Give", and reward him. Practice makes perfect!

Written by Pippa Elliott

Published: 11/16/2017, edited: 01/08/2021

Success Stories and Training Questions

Training Questions and Answers

Question

Jack

Husky

4 Months

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Jack

Husky

4 Months

He has classes right now but i want to train him to take him into hospitals but he loves to jump on people nd he pulls on the leash im trying to work on it but doesnt seem like its working much

1 year, 6 months ago

Jack's Owner

Caitlin Crittenden

Dog Trainer

780 Dog owners recommended

Hello Anna, Check out the Step toward method from the article linked below and recruit a lot of willing friends and family members to help you practice with him. Use the Leash method with strangers you can't instruct how to help. Jumping: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-australian-shepherds-to-not-jump For the pulling check out the video and article linked below: Heeling: Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Heel Video - notice the body language and the way its done even if you use different tools: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTiKVc4ZZWo Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

1 year, 6 months ago

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Henny

Labrador/Basenji Mix

8 Years

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Henny

Labrador/Basenji Mix

8 Years

She barks loudly for about 5 minutes when people come into the house that she doesn't know. But doesn't bark at people outside. She only barks; never bites nor nips ever.

1 year, 8 months ago

Henny's Owner

Caitlin Crittenden

Dog Trainer

780 Dog owners recommended

Hello Hilart, I suggest working on desensitizing her to guests coming over and the things that signal that guests may be coming over soon. Check out the video linked below. Barking at the door and guests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxPrNnulp5s Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

1 year, 8 months ago

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Question

Lexi

Catahoula mix

6 Years

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Lexi

Catahoula mix

6 Years

We rescued Lexi as a year-old, timid, constipated pupper from the shelter. Because she was a transfer, the people at the shelter did not know her background. She came to us with a scar around her neck and a tail between her legs. After a couple of months, we began to see the true dog in her: a friendly, happy dog with mild anxiety around things like fireworks, other dogs, thunder storms, strollers, balls, etc.
Still, with work we have learned to adjust to her needs. She does all of her basic commands easily and loves people of all ages. Our only problem is her behavior with other dogs. A couple of months after we got her, Lexi got loose and attacked a Bichon Frise walking by. We are fairly sure the other dog started the fight, because it bit her leg and she limped for several days, but nonetheless, there was aggression between the two. Since then, Lexi has shown to us that she does NOT like other dogs. Every time we go past one while on a walk, she does one of two things. If the dog is tied up or fenced in a yard, she will whine, bark, and growl, and her hair goes up. Because of work I've done with her, though, she stays pretty calm. Unless the dog is loose or on a walk too. In this case, she will lunge, bark, snarl, and do anything in her power to get to the other dog, even if it means hurting herself or getting choked on her collar. Once she even managed to get out of a harness built to stop escaping! (And yes, it was as tight as it was meant to be).

I only want Lexi to be calmer and happier on walks. I hate having to scan the streets or trails for other dogs, having to be on high alert constantly. It takes the fun out of walks. Besides, people always give us awful, judgmental looks. Lexi's not a frothing, raging dog. She just has a terrible fear of the pooches around her. I don't want to muzzle or use a bark collar for this reason.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Lexi's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

104 Dog owners recommended

Hello, I suggest you bring in a trainer to help you gain the last thing that you want and need for Lexi. Consult a few trainers to discuss the issues and to make sure that you work with someone who has the knowledge, but also the same philosophy as you. Doing so can help Lexi (and you) understand and learn how to work with the fears she has. Ask your vet for recommendations, or take a trip to the dog park and ask around there. Online is another place to look as well. In the meantime, work on Lexi's heeling skills. She will be busy focusing on what you are teaching her and be less reactive to what's around her (ideally). Try either the Turns Method or the Treat Lure Method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel. You may also find helpful videos here and perhaps the opportunity to consult a trainer online: https://robertcabral.com/. Good luck!

7 months, 2 weeks ago