Therapy dog training · Eugene & Springfield
Make a difference. Together. Build the manners, confidence, and connection to become a therapy dog team.
Therapy teams need a comfortable, connected partnership: polite greetings, loose-leash walking, reliable responses to cues, and the ability to stay relaxed around people, other dogs, and everyday distractions. Our classes build these skills through reward-based practice, at home and out in the world.
Teams who pass our manners assessment in DOG 3 are ready to take DOG 4: Therapy Prep.
Under 6 months
Build early skills through positive social experiences, checking in with you, settling, and beginning leash skills. Keep practicing together as your puppy’s attention, confidence, and needs change through adolescence.
6 months and older
Build loose-leash walking, coming when called, calm greetings, settling on a mat, and leaving things alone. DOG 2 and DOG 3 help your team practice with more distractions and build reliable manners.
If you’ve trained elsewhere and want to join DOG 2, DOG 3, or Therapy Prep, book a private lesson to review your team’s skills. A trainer will help you find the right class and identify anything to practice before joining.
$175 private lesson · 60 minutes
For teams who have passed our manners assessment in DOG 3.
Fine-tune the 10 skills tested in the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program, which encourages responsible dog ownership and everyday manners. Teams will have the opportunity to take the CGC test during their last class.
Practice polite greetings and handling, walking through crowds, sit, down, stay, recall, calm responses to dogs and distractions, and a short separation from your handler. We use food rewards while teaching and gradually build the skills to work without them for testing. Weekly out-and-about challenges help you practice beyond the classroom.
We work without exercise-pen barriers. Dogs must be friendly with people and dogs, and comfortable working within 3–4 feet of other dogs without barking, growling, or lunging.
These are our class-entry foundations; the CGC test has its own requirements. If you’re unsure about readiness, talk with your trainer before enrolling.
AKC sets no minimum or maximum age for the standard CGC test. Dogs need the necessary immunizations; AKC recommends retesting puppies as adults. Tests held at AKC shows may have additional age or entry restrictions.
Read AKC’s CGC eligibility requirements or explore the 10 CGC test skills.
CGC is a manners credential and a useful step toward therapy work. Therapy-dog certification or registration requires a separate evaluation through your chosen therapy organization; passing CGC does not certify a therapy team.
Private lessons can help you build toward the same skills and goals with a personalized plan. Talk with a trainer about the right next step.