Pockets Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Hi All I am in the process of hopefully becoming a Delta Pets Therapy partner with my boy "Leo", I live in the Werribee area and am wanting to source an accredited Delta Therapy trainer to assist me with preparing for the upcoming assessment. I have searched some trainers through the Delta Webpage, however the trainers are all a fair distance from me and was wanting to find something closer. However if these ones listed are the only available, I will make the travel to these ones. Any information anyone could provide would be fantastic. Who knows maybe there is an accredited trainer on DOL :) even better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 I do not know any in Victoira. However I must offer Best wishes for success. I spent a considerable time in hospital some years ago & the highlight of the day was the visitis by the Delta Trained dogs. Wonderful concept and I wish you well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pockets Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 Thank you so much for the luck and support :-) I hope we do make the grade. I have wanted to do this for some time, I love seeing how dogs can enrich the lives of others or provide them with some joy, even if it is just once a week. I bred Leo and I feel he is the right dog to do this with, his sister also frequents a nursing home in QLD on a weekly basis, they were a very special litter :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Sounds very positive Pockets. Did you try contacting the Head Office? I know it's based in NSW but the site has an email. They may offer you suggestions. I like the concept of having a mentor. It is helpful in learning new methods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pockets Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 I have emailed a local branch nearest me, the trainers listed on the website are a little far, but if that's it I will happily travel :-) Hopefully I hear back from the local branch in the next few days. Our assessment is not until June, so I have quite a good amount of time prepare. Though I would like to do some formal training and assessment with an accredited Delta Trainer :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 I have emailed a local branch nearest me, the trainers listed on the website are a little far, but if that's it I will happily travel :-) Hopefully I hear back from the local branch in the next few days. Our assessment is not until June, so I have quite a good amount of time prepare. Though I would like to do some formal training and assessment with an accredited Delta Trainer :-) I also had a great experience with a Delta trainer years ago. Two under 12 months Vizsla males who forgot their manners were quickly sorted out by the trainer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pockets Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 Haha that's great to know. I briefly ran my boy through his manners tonight, he's never had formal obedience training, he's always just been so easy to live with, not over the top.... Sit, Drop, Stay, Stay with me out of sight, recall...and heeling.....be surprised me, though I should never be surprised with him as hes such a special soul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleo's Corgwyn Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Hi Pockets, I'm pretty sure Delta accredited trainers are a different part of Delta to the Therapy dogs. Most of the behaviours required for the test are pretty basic obedience related behaviours, and any decent positive trainer should be able to help you prepare for the test. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pockets Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 Hi Cleo From the information on the website there are classes that can be taken that prepare you for entry as a pet therapy team :-) just hoping there was one closer to home :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 I've done the test. It your dog has the right temp and can walk on a lead you'll pass. I didn't do any prep for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 They make the best dogs to go near humans, imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pockets Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 Really Megan? I definitely know my boy has the temperament for it, he's such a special soul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Honestly it is more basic than a basic obedience test. They do have to walk past someone holding a biscuit but they're on lead and you can talk to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougal Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 There's a video on the website with a run through of the test. Not sure if NSW is stricter than Vic, but my girl who had made it through 2nd class in obedience failed I would practice "leave it", sit/stay and walk away out of sight and have a range of different people handle him in strange ways (ie bump, grab ears, tail etc). I understood the importance of the test when I took the one that passed into a nursing home. Whilst she could pass the obedience test, navigating around a walking frame, and getting her to ignore all the crumbs on the floor made me realise how important it was. In the end I realised it wasn't for her as she didn't like it - loved going out with me and got very excited, but wasn't so keen on socialising and kept giving me the "I want to go home" look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pockets Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 His obedience is basic, he has never been formally trained. I have watched the video on the website, which is why I am searching for a delta accredited trainer so that I can just brush up on things etc, nothing other than that. My dog isn't food oriented, so I doubt leaving food alone with be much of an issue for him, he knows the "leave" command, but we will of course brush up on this also. I bred him, I put him through the riggers from the time he was born, sounds strange but pulling ears, pulling his tail, rough handling, standing over him is all stuff I did when he was growing up, so he sees it all as completely normal behavior! lol... Have enlisted some people he doesn't know to help with the stranger things like staggering, yelling loudly, waving arms etc, which he has en-counted before, but again just a re-hash :) From the moment he was born he was and always has been just a calm, very relaxed easy going dog that just adores attention from anyone he can get it from, will sit at peoples feet all day getting pats and cuddles if he could :) The main thing I think we need work on is his out of sight stay whilst someone else holds him, I am not sure how much of a mummy's boy he is! hehehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I put two of my dogs into Delta pet therapy. There's nothing special you have to do as long as your dog is reasonably obedient, won't maul anyone and is not totally untrained you will pass. If you need a hand I can help but I don't think you really need to waste the money on a 'prepper' course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pockets Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 Hey Nekhbet, It sounds a lot less strict here that what I heard from people in NSW. Can easily say my dog is reasonably obedience, he does the basics :) I would love to catch up with you if possible to go through some training techniques and tips and hints. I used to do obedience for quite some years with an older bitch I had, was a trialling stage and level 6 at Obedience club, but never went for it. Whilst I do know how to train a dog, I did used to train with a correction collar, I now have to move on to flat and even though I know the concept is the same, I could probably use some pointers. Also a third unbiased opinion, so I am not just looking through rose coloured glassed so to speak! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 message me your availability and we can make a date of it :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 Maybe just email Delta and check because I was under the impression the 2 levels of training under a Delta trainer were a compulsory requirement. I don't think it will be any different in Vic to NSW - they both run under the same umbrella. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DakotaJ Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 (edited) I have a Delta accredited therapy dog - my dog was assessed by Delta for suitability and I attended a training day for handlers, but no additional training was involved. My dog was a rescue dog who,at the time she was assessed, had only basic obedience training. I have continued with her obedience training and she has progressed much further now, but I don't think anything more than basic obedience is required. You do, however, need a strong bond with your dog. Delta was looking for a dog with a certain type of personality. I would speak to Delta about what they are specifically looking for, but in my opinion, they like a dog that is very steady, no aggression (of course), calm, friendly, not timid and willing to take everything in their stride. I have another dog of the same breed who is a lovely friendly, gentle girl but is just not steady enough to be a therapy dog. We visit a day service for young adults with disabilities so there is a lot of noise, rough patting, and jumping up on laps of people in wheelchairs. It does not only involve visiting people in nursing homes. Speak to Delta, they will be happy to advise you. I can honestly say that it is one of the most rewarding things I do, good luck. Edited May 3, 2015 by DakotaJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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