THERAPY DOG HANDLER LEADERSHIP
NOTE: Although this page refers to dogs it's also important for all species of therapy pets!
"It's lonely at the top, so give your dog a break and take over."
- Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
- Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
NOTE: Our Leadership Class is incorporated into our Pet Partners Handler Workshop and may be offered free of charge as part of our Therapy Dog Training Course for those who have not yet completed the Handlers Workshop. Please let us know if you would like to attend out next Pet Partners Handler Workshop or Therapy Dog Training Course.
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Being a safe & effective Pet Partners Handler (especially for dogs) requires the ability to be a PRO-active Assertive Leader. PRO-Active Assertive Leadership allows you to meet both your needs and at the same time the needs of your Pet Partner and client (staff, students, residents, patients) in order to inspire confidence & comfort in both your Pet Partner and in others. |
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WHY
"No other canine related event, no sport nor competition requires a dog (or any pet) to enter the intimate zones of unfamiliar humans & remain there for several minutes of petting and hugging … Most dogs (& other pets) have been bred for generations to distinguish between outsiders & family, & to act accordingly. Therapy Pets are no different." - Kris Butler, Therapy Dogs Today, Their Gifts, Our Obligation "If you are comfortable being a benevolent leader, your dog can relax, and will love you all the more for it. Keep in mind that dogs feel happier when they know that they are not responsible for making all the difficult decisions that leaders have to make. Dogs prefer knowing that you are in charge, and are often much happier when they understand that they can count on you to take care of things. ... No matter how great your dog is, always be careful about catering to him and indirectly forcing him into the lead. It's lonely at the top, so give your dog a break and take over." - Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist “It is important to note that a dog’s perception can differ greatly from a human’s perception of the very same event. ... All the screening and training in the world will not prepare a dog for the challenges of intimacy and emotion encountered in visiting animal programs. ... Handler’s who protect their dogs from undo stress increase their dog’s confidence. Success breeds confidence and confidence encourages continued growth. A dog’s level of confidence in the handler is based both on their lifelong relationship and how the dog perceives the handler’s behavior in the moment. Sometimes nervous, unskilled handlers (lacking leadership) seem to abandon their dog’s during visits, ignoring their dog’s communication, focusing more on themselves or people in the environment. This behavior causes stress in dogs and erodes trust to a degree that some dogs learn to anticipate stressful feelings with visiting. All dogs need leaders and visiting dogs are no exception .” - Kris Butler , THERAPY DOGS TODAY: Their Gifts, Our Obligation |
WHAT - Leadership Vs. Dominance
* LEADERSHIP – (Yes!) Empowers, Teaches, Inspires, Anticipates & Plans in Advance, Communicates Clear Boundaries, Provides Alternatives, Rewards Often - Cultivates, Earns & Builds TRUST!, CONFIDENCE! & SPONTENAITY! DOMINANCE – (No!) Over powers, reacts, forces, builds resistance, conflict, repression, erodes trust & confidence. WHEN "Failing to plan is planning to fail!" PRO-Active – (before) know your dog, anticipate behavior/needs and act BEFORE dog exhibits inappropriate or undesirable behavior. Prevents problem, stress or inappropriate behaviors before they occur. Teaches appropriate behavior. RE-Active – (after) acts only AFTER dog does something inappropriate or undesirable. Corrects but often does not teach appropriate behavior, can erode confidence. IN-Active – (never) ignores, indulges & inadvertently reinforces dogs inappropriate behavior. HOW “Everything we do is infused with the energy with which we do it.” Assertive – (calms, focuses, teaches) Clear, respectful communication respects your needs as well as your dogs needs (client & others) Aggressive – (escalates, hurts, confuses) Clear communication that respects your needs but denies your dog’s &/or others needs/desires Passive – Inaccurate & confusing communication, ignores or denies your needs but indulges & reinforces your dog’s inappropriate behavior. IN-Active/Passive Behavior does not address and inadvertently reinforces inappropriate behavior, which can escalate and confuse dog, can lead to increased stress/insecurity, possible aggression or even injury to dog and/or client, erodes trust, will dilute or even damage your dogs enjoyment, saftey and the therapeutic effect of AAA/T. RE-Active/Assertive Behavior is behavior that focuses on solving the problem and getting back on track after the problem occurs. Better than IN-Active or Passive but still does not instill confidence & comfort in your dog or in others. |
CALM, PRO-Active ASSERTIVE Leadership
is the only behavior that allows us to meet both our own needs while meeting the needs of our Pet Partner and client (staff, students, residents, patients) at the same time in order to inspire confidence & comfort in both our dog and in others.
is the only behavior that allows us to meet both our own needs while meeting the needs of our Pet Partner and client (staff, students, residents, patients) at the same time in order to inspire confidence & comfort in both our dog and in others.
LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!
"Home is where the leader is!" It's important to remember that just because our dogs (or other pets) are comfortable and well behaved in certain locations away from home - perhaps at our place of work &/or homes of various family and friends - does not necessarily mean we have established the trust & confidence in our dogs necessary for them to be comfortable, confident & focused in a wide variety of places. Sometimes volunteer candidates have been surprised to learn that their dogs were uncharacteristically fearful in certain new locations for no apparent reason. (Or maybe so over stimulated they couldn't focus.) There can be many reasons for this and it's important to seek professional help if this happens so that you can learn to apply appropriate techniques with out either forcing, giving into fear, expecting too much too soon (or getting frustrated with their over stimulation). But it's also important to remember that our Leadership plays an important role here as well. If we have practiced Benevolent but Pro-Active, Assertive Leadership combined with systematic, consistent positive reinforcement techniques while socializing in a variety of locations our dogs will ultimately put their trust in US - their leader - rather than in a specific location. They may still feel varying degrees of insecurity and trepidation (or distraction) in new places, but we will have cultivated and maintained enough trust and confidence in our dogs for them to adapt quickly and feel safe and secure with us no matter where they are. WE will be their safe place rather than a location or situation. And distractions will be less overwhelming too. Please see our Socialization page for more information. And if your dog continues to exhibit fear, insecurity or intimidation do not push him/her - seek professional help!!! Not every dog is cut out for this work and it can not and should not be forced! For socializing in indoor locations that may require an explanation we have provided a brochure for you available for download and printing below. |
ENERGY! - PRO-Active ASSERTIVE LEADERSHIP ENERGY Animals pick up on &/or even absorb our energy, mood, state of mind – Cultivate a pro-active assertive state of mind even in the earliest stages of training and building a relationship with your dog!
As only 1 example; a dog jumps up to greet in excitement – person remembers to ignore (“No talk, no touch, no eye contact”), folds arms and turns away. There are 3 distinct ways of doing this – outward behavior is exactly the same but; #1. Person is thinking & feeling (maybe even subconsciously); “Oh I really want to pet and snuggle you, let you know everything is alright and that I love you but I know I can’t. This is so hard, this hurts me more than it hurts you.” ( comes from a position of weakness, feeds anxiety & insecurity) #2. Person is thinking & feeling (maybe even subconsciously) "x!@#%^&**^%# it, I'm SO sick of you doing this! I HATE this, CUT it out!!!" (may seem to come from a position of strength but also from impatience and exasperation, feeds anxiety, insecurity and nervous energy) #3. Person is thinking and feeling (maybe even subconsciously), “All is well. There is nothing to be upset about. I’m a confident, strong & calm leader for you, communicating strength, patience and calm so you will learn that you get what you want from me (and other humans) only when you are also patient & calm.” (comes from a position of true authentic power, inspires confidence, self control, trust, security - inspires LEARNING and sense of accomplishment as a result of dog's own internal thought process, problem solving and positive experience) 
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REMEMBER TO PRACTICE P.E.T.S. WHILE SOCIALIZING!
After your animal is confident, responsive and relaxed away from home more causal socialization may be appropriate too at times
but these are the required criteria for safe and effective AAA/T visits so practicing these skills while socializing in a variety of unfamiliar locations
will build trust, confidence & manners required to pass the skills & aptitude test- and enhance the relaxed enjoyment & therapeutic effect for all!
After your animal is confident, responsive and relaxed away from home more causal socialization may be appropriate too at times
but these are the required criteria for safe and effective AAA/T visits so practicing these skills while socializing in a variety of unfamiliar locations
will build trust, confidence & manners required to pass the skills & aptitude test- and enhance the relaxed enjoyment & therapeutic effect for all!
From Delta Society Pet Partners
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Overall Handler Assessment Tips It is SO important to develop good handlers habits early! Equally important for 1st time candidates AND veteran Pet Partners! Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions at all - we are here to help you succeed! Highest Score is 2 - Lowest N/R (Not Ready, may try again) N/A (Not Appropriate, may not try again)
ONE WORD THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOU AS A LEADER!
Click Fullscreen below to read a GREAT article from Forbes on Leadership found on Diamonds in the Ruff - Training for Dogs & Their People website. While it's a common mistake to try to humanize or have conversations with your dog dogs certainly do know and respond in kind to the difference between "Yes!" and "No" ... LOVE this article! |
Click on Fullscreen to read Handler Assessment scores ...
Angel Paws Brochure to download & print, 2 pages, print front & back, fold inward in 3rds with photos on front. Great to hand out while socializing in indoor locations that may require an explanation!
Related Pages ...
Angel Paws Position Statement on Dog Training Recommended Dog Trainers Equipment Socialization Angel Paws Therapy Dog Training Class Positive Reinforcement Dog Training Essential Tips for Therapy Dog Training Can My Dog Be A Therapy Dog? Dog Training Why No Choke Chains, Prong or Pinch Collars AVSAB Position Statements Canine Behavior Myths |