Re-certification is required every two years.
- We require an updated veterinary Health Screening,
- Handlers will be required to respond to a two-question essay test;
- Photos are taken to update ID badges for both dogs and handlers; and
- A visitation Under Supervision is to be done at a local facility.
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Why Re-Certification is Necessary ~ A Difficult Decision
by Patty Storkel
As an evaluator for the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen program, and instructor/evaluator for the Paws For Love Therapy Dogs program, I’m often asked why dogs need to be re-certified if they passed the test in the first place. Simple. Dogs are not robots, and if kept in a stimulating environment with exposure to new places and learning new things, they change, just as people change when exposed to new thoughts and ideas. Usually the change is for the good, as they gain experience and learn how to deal with new situations and types of encounters. The handler grows and learns right along with the dog. The level of trust between you and your dog continues to expand as your dog learns he won’t be placed in an unsafe situation, and you learn more fully the limits of your dog’s abilities and tolerances.
However, as dogs change, you may be faced with the necessity to change your place of service or the type of population you and your dog visit. You might even need to retire your dog from service. Along with that, is the concern some handlers have about their dog, who may not like all other dogs he meets during the course of visitations. I’m usually quick to reassure handlers that we choose dogs for their people friendly temperaments, not for how they get along with other dogs.
But, you may ask, what is “ok” behavior, and when (or if) do you need to be concerned? During the Paws For Love Therapy Dog Certification class, I use one of my dogs as an example of change occurring as a result of exposure to different sights and stimulation.
Claire, one of my Irish Wolfhounds, was a highly trained (including an AKC CD obedience title) and seasoned Therapy Dog team member, having made numerous visits to nursing facilities in addition to many other public appearances over the course of several years of visitations. She was more empathetic to the people than my other certified Wolfhounds. I was beginning to suspect that it was time to retire her, but she was still enjoying the visits - until one Saturday, when she experienced the undirected rage of a patient in the final stages of senile dementia. All we did was walk past the room. The door was only opened a crack. I gave it no thought. The next scheduled Saturday, as we began visiting with the patients, she suddenly started trying to exit out of every window and door we encountered. Her breathing became very labored and rapid. Without realizing it, we were approaching the room with the difficult patient. I had to end the visit for her sake. That was her last visit at that facility. She continued to make appearances at another facility that was very different in nature, much quieter and not so demanding. It was evident, though after a few more visits, she wasn’t handling it well, and was not her usual happy self. I reluctantly informed the facility she was being retired, and they wouldn’t see her any more.
So, what’s the connection if your dog isn’t “dog friendly”? There is a major difference between an aggressive dog by nature (and usually minimally or untrained and un-socialized), and the occasional posturing and difference of opinion some dogs exhibit when encountering others. You may have to make a decision to end visitation with your dog at that facility or change the days/times of visits to keep your dog safe. Knowing your dog’s temperament; how he responds in new situations; what he likes and doesn’t like; and how, based on your experience, he will respond in a given situation contributes to the deciding factor. What was the exact situation? Was there provocation? Did you correct the behavior?
Often, as trainers, we hear people making excuses for their dog’s lack of training or bad manners. “He was bitten as a puppy” is a common one, along with “he was [scared/chased/barked at/jumped on/yelled at, etc.] during an obedience class”… and the reasons go on. It doesn’t matter what happened or why. A well-adjusted dog, with proper training and guidance, should not exhibit any long-standing behavior issues. Dogs don’t “hold grudges”. It’s not in their make-up. However, they DO respond to invasions of territory and attempts to be dominated by other dogs they consider subordinate. They will also attempt to guard you, their handler, if they deem the situation warrants it. A facility shouldn’t be considered “territory” by your dog. You should correct and redirect your “guarding” dog, and let him know the action is inappropriate. As a handler keeping your dog safe at all times, your dog shouldn’t be in immediate contact with a strange or unknown dog. If you know your dog doesn’t like a particular dog you encounter on visitations, talk to the handler, and, if possible, change your schedules so they don’t coincide. If that’s not possible, conduct your visits anyway, keeping distance between the dogs. Usually, after time, they should begin to accept each other. Throw in some impromptu heeling in the hall, or sit-stays or down-stays to redirect their focus as needed. Keep your awareness up so nothing has a chance to happen. Still, depending on the circumstances, the inevitable decision may have to be made.
A case in point: a seasoned handler, with a highly trained & socialized dog; a veteran of numerous PFL visits, had two negative encounters with a black & tan dog. Although not expected, she thought it was due to the fact that her dog had been attacked and mauled by a GSD when it was a puppy. She corrected her dog on both occasions, and the other dog wasn’t injured either time. There were two more incidents with a different black and tan dog. No injuries. One of the incidents was provoked, as the other dog was guarding his food dish, and her dog approached too close. Still, not expected. 5 more incidents occurred, three of them within two days. Two of the incidents were in a crowded, public setting. After one of the incidents, a baby approached the dog and started to crawl all over the dog. The handler unobtrusively extended her hand to grab her dog’s muzzle as the baby’s face was an inch away. As the mom was asking if the dog would bite, the chilling realization hit the handler that she honestly at that point didn’t know (but said “no, she won’t bite”). Her dog was enjoying the visitations. She just couldn’t guarantee the safety of other dogs.
This is a totally different situation than an occasional grumble at another dog. The temperament of this dog was changing right before the handler’s eyes. The handler knew she had to end all visitations with that dog and was advised to put her dog down, as there was now concern for the safety of people, due to the escalating frequency of random, unprovoked attacks against other dogs. She couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t transfer to people. She also couldn’t afford the liability should the unforeseen happen.
Liability Insurance coverage for incidents while on visitation (for a certified dog) is usually void if you know or suspect your dog has bitten or tried to bite a person. Your homeowners or renters insurance may be canceled if your agent learns you have a dog with a “history”. Should an incident occur, you will have to discontinue visits at that facility, and depending on the circumstances, end all visitations with that dog. A difficult decision? You bet. I was the handler, and 5-year old Rua was the dog. She was put down the day after incident #9, when she without provocation, attacked my younger dog Liaidan in our living room.
