Looking For An Experienced Trainer In Victoria

[Tapua]

I have a potential puppy buy in Victoria who is a Psychologist. He wants to condition one of my pups as a Therapy dog for possible use in his practice. If he was in Sydney I would go to K9 Pro but this guy is in Victoria and I needs some recommendations for trainers I can pair with this guy in conditioning his puppy. Obviously as a Psych he knows the principals but its always good to be guided by an experienced person. Any recommendations would be appreciated. He lives in the Mecloud region

Edited September 20, 2015 by Tapua

[Sue & Waldo]

K9 company train in Eltham close by. They are excellent and have worked with other therapy dogs.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

I've seen both of these trainers recommended for Victoria. I don't know if "therapy dogs" are their thing, but they might be able to recommend someone who does this.

In SA there is a dedicated group linked with the Golden Retriever club that trains therapy dogs - ie ones that can do hospital visits without getting freaked out if someone drops the dinner tray near them. If Judi and Julie can't help - I'd maybe ask the guide dog org if they know someone who trains therapy dogs.

The type of therapy he's intending to use the dog for would also be helpful. There's so many different ways dogs help clients/patients these days but the training can be specific to the needs of the client-patient. Eg a PTSD patient probably needs something different to an autistic child - tho I could be wrong.

Melbourne

Erny (Judi Buchan)

http://www.prok9.com.au/

Does Cranbourne, Frankston etc ie East Side.

Nekhbet (Julie)

http://inlinek9.webs.com/

Geelong based does up to Bendigo/Ballarat

edit to remove confusing American term

Edited September 20, 2015 by Mrs Rusty Bucket

[disintegratus]

I was going to suggest either Erny or Nekhbet :) I can't vouch personally for Nekhbet, I've read a lot of her posts and posts from other users about the wonderful things she's done to help various DOLers, but I haven't personally used her services.

Erny on the other hand, you will get nothing but glowing praise from me! She is an amazing trainer, she helped me immeasurably with Thundercleese's fear aggression issues. Admittedly I could be a lot further along, but that's not Erny's fault, I took the lazy way out and bought acreage and moved to the country where he has plenty of room and opportunity, but isn't necessarily forced into interacting with terrifying things (like clicky pens!!:p)

[espinay2]

Dogs VIC have a therapy dog program and coordinator. She has provided excellent help and guidance to one of my puppy owners who has recently been tested and certified through their program. She has worked with her through the whole process from before she got the puppy to certification at age 2.

Edited September 21, 2015 by espinay2

[dragonwoman]

Dogs VIC have a therapy dog program and coordinator. She has provided excellent help and guidance to one of my puppy owners who has recently been tested and certified through their program. She has worked with her through the whole process from before she got the puppy to certification at age 2.

DV do not do the training though.......all they do is assess.....I have had two certified.....big difference between therapy dog and an assistance dog too

[espinay2]

My understanding is the dog was to be a therapy dog, not an assistance dog. No she doesn't do training, but can provide guidance on the type of things he should be doing with the dog to prepare it for its role.

[dragonwoman]

My understanding is the dog was to be a therapy dog, not an assistance dog. No she doesn't do training, but can provide guidance on the type of things he should be doing with the dog to prepare it for its role.

Basic obedience, socialisation and a suitable temperament are all that are required

[espinay2]

Then perhaps any trainer will do ....

Though I know Albie's owner has found it useful to work through things in a structured way such as being sure he was used to wheel chairs, crutches, jerky movements and grabs, crowding, loud noises, being rushed by people, lifts, things being thrown around him and so on. So the guidance was helpful.

Edited September 21, 2015 by espinay2

[Tapua]

Thanks guys all the contacts are very useful - our pups all experience ENS,sound desensitization and are well socialized by 8 weeks. For an experienced handler they are well set up to learn and progress in whatever direction the owner wants. This guy is keen to enhance the foundations and mold the behavior in a healthy way - he is seeking guidance and I would like to link him with an experienced person. Of course a well rounded, obedient and highly socialized dog is essential for therapy work but guidance while creating the dog he needs will help him. Thanks for your suggestions much appreciated.

[Cleo's Corgwyn]

Kay Hargreaves could be another option; she's a very experienced trainer with some great problem solving skills. I've done some workshops with her. I think her school is Waggin' School for Dogs, or similar?