Here’s how to become a part of the TOP Dog therapy dog team

The TOP Dogs team encourages the community to come and join their wonderful group of volunteers!

What do you need to join?
Yourself, of course, and your furry companion – a dog of at least a year old that isn’t afraid to interact with strangers and other dogs. “You need to be older than 18 years old and complete the quiz on the TOP Dogs website to find out if your dog is a good fit,” explained Corrie Niemann, “Thereafter you can complete the application form on the website as well.”

The next TOP Dogs evaluation programme will take place on Sunday, April 23 from 12:30 at Hoërskool Florida.

What should you expect at the evaluation?
The evaluation will consist of a dozen different tests to ensure that your pup is ready to become a therapy dog.
The first test focuses on your dog accepting a friendly stranger.

“This test reveals that in a realistic, daily context, the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and chat with its handler. There should be no signs of hostility, shyness, or avoidance in the dog,” elaborated Corrie.

Next up is your dog’s ability to politely accept petting, according to Corrie, this test shows that the dog will allow a pleasant stranger to touch it when out with its handler. The dog must not be resentful, bashful, or avoidant.

Then the focus shifts toward the dog’s appearance and grooming.
This practical test proves that the dog will tolerate being groomed and evaluated by someone other than the owner, such as a veterinarian, groomer, customer, or friend. The evaluator examines the dog to see if it is clean and well-groomed. The dog must appear to be in good health (clean, healthy, and alert). The comb or brush typically used on the dog should be supplied by the handler.

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Another important evaluation pertains to the dog’s leash manners.
This test proves that the handler has command of the dog. The dog can be positioned on either side of the handler.

The following task is to assess the dog’s temperament, namely its exuberant conduct and capacity to be controlled.
The handler may play with the dog (with or without a toy) for at least one minute before returning the dog to control and display a calm demeanour.

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Next up the dog’s ability to walk through a crowd without negatively reacting to other dogs is tested.
The following test shows that the dog has received some basic training, will respond to the handler’s directions to sit and down, and will remain in the posture requested by the handler (sit or down position, whatever the handler likes).

Next, they test the dog’s reaction to distractions. This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations.
The dog’s reaction to children will be evaluated (only if there are children present at the Evaluation).
A bunch of children approach and pet the dog as it sits with its handler. Many canines have never had the opportunity to engage with youngsters and may be wary of them.

Does your dog have good manners while being given treats?
This is the next evaluation. Thereafter a supervised separation is to see how stable or confident the dog is without the ‘backup’ of its handler. The test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners.

Finally, the last test will demonstrate that the dog is comfortable in a confined space.
All evaluations must be conducted on a leash. Dogs should wear well-fitting leather or cloth buckle or slip collars. Choke chains, spike, pinch, or spray collars, head halters, and other special training collars are not permitted in the TOP Dogs examination.

The owner/ handler should bring the dog’s brush or comb, as well as an up-to-date immunisation certificate, to the exam.

What constitutes a failure?
Any dog who growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to attack a person or another dog is not a good Therapy Dog and must be disqualified from the test. However, following training/ rehabilitation, the dog may be accepted for re-evaluation.

To find out more about the Evaluation or how to become a volunteer visit their website https://www.therapytopdogs.co.za/ or contact Corrie Niemann on 083 288 7588.