I know of many dogs that have taken this test, the problem with this test is that the people I know actively 'TRAIN' for it. The look at it like some kind of working title. I always chuckle when I see ads for dogs with no working titles but a TT and CGC behind them and they are supposedly working dogs and presented as such.

In my opinion, it should be done without training as an evaluation of the 'raw' dog. I would expect different reactions to the tests depending on the breed tested. I.E. a bassett hound would not react in the same way as a Malinois.

I also want to add that I don't think there is anything wrong with doing these tests. I used to be an evaluator/tester for the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) testing that AKC offers. A lot of pet owners get a kick out of doing this test and getting the certificate. I know a lot of them would take pictures with me, the certificate and the dog after they passed the test. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

The problem I have is when people promote this as working ability or a title.I believe that many people misunderstand what it really is and that is merely one way to evaluate a dogs temperament if it is done right and the dog is not 'conditioned' or trained to all the tests.

I agree with Cindy. I did a TT on my male when he was young. There were about 60 dogs at the test and people did talk about it being a valid title. To me, it was just testing normal socialization on a dog.

My male was dinged on points on the following:
- being too friendly to the neutral stranger.
- looking towards the direction of the pistol and then ignoring it. I was told he should have had a stronger reaction.
- just watching the unfriendly stranger until he started to become threatening. My male then went into a full bark and hold. I was told that he should have "light up" much sooner. They also wanted him on the choke/fur saver, not the dead ring during the exercise. I had to argue for 5 minutes until they would "allow" the dead ring.

They were worried as he was in trainig for ScH, but he ended up getting one of the top scores ( and the youngest in the top group) for the day.

Hmmm, so it sounds like a lot rests in the judges' arena? Do they not have a standardized scoring system that they are bound by, or do they get to use their own judgement? It sounds like your dog did really well to me, but I am not an expert.

I know that the temperament tests can also be required before a dog is allowed to do therapy work, so alot of folks do it for that. I wish it were required before any type of service certification, not as a title, but as a basic prerequisite that this dog has passed some sort of evaluation that says his temperament is suitable for service work. I was at a fair last weekend, this annual thing that happens here where I live. I work there on the water crew. Anyway, I was in line for my Tamale and fruit salad, and saw this young woman with a dog wearing a home made "Therapy Dog" vest (it was a yellow t shirt with iron on letters). This little kid waiting in line went to pet him, and he snapped at the kid!!! The owner of the dog just started petting him and soothing him. I couldn't believe it! So, after I got my tamale, I asked someone from security if they could check the dog's credentials. Sure enough, the dog was registered as a Therapy Dog (not the kind that goes into hospitals, but the kind the doctor prescribes for someone who has emotional problems and needs the benefits of an animal companion). So, we couldn't kick her out. But this dog was seriously stressed. He was showing all the classic signs of a dog in distress, but the owner was too bent on being at the fair and bringing her dog to recognize it and take him home, where he would be more comfortable. Ticked me off. I'm still getting high blood pressure just thinking about it!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Yes, you do need a TT on a dog before they are part of Delta or the other org.

But, you can not have a SCH trained dog as a therapy dog for Delta.

I do think some of the scoring is based on the judge. Per normal. To me, it was just another exposure thing that I was doing with my dog. Did the puppy matches, and a friend who shows in AKC showed my male (working male trained in a German ring) in an all breed show. That was funny. My male would tear around the ring (we had just done his AD and he was also the 'dummy dog" at the club to train the show dogs in the ring) and my friend, in his suit, was stumbling after him.

Too funny....

Lisa. The wrong term was used. A dog to help someone with emotional issues remain calm; is either an emotional support dog, or a psychiatric support dog. And they do NOT have the rights of an assistance dog, such as a service dog, guide dog, or signal(hearing) dog. They cannot be denied housing due to having the animal, but they have no right of public access.

Therapy dogs, which are taken to hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatric institutions, or schools; have no legal rights beyond any pet. Public access is not needed as the owner/handler is not disabled.

The law has also been narrowed recently as to what can be a service animal. Only dogs can now be service animals with public rights. No more service snakesor service hedgehogs allowed in restaurants or stores. (Yes, there have been claims by people that their snake or hedgehog was a service animal) This change is being challenged; especially by Guide Horses, which train miniature horses as guides for the blind. Helping Hands, which train monkeys for quadraplegics; agreed to limit their challenge to agreeing to the same restrictions as support dogs. No housing restrictions would be allowed, but public access would not be granted.

I am a guide dog and service dog trainer.

Joy,
You are replying to a thread over *seven* years old - the original poster may not even be a member here any more.
Please check the thread dates before you reply to such old threads; that's four for today that you've replied to that are seven years old!

Will Rambeau
Moderator

This has got to be some sort of board record, right?

I just realized the dates were old this evening. Sorry, I'll look first from now on.