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What is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a dog that performs a service for other people. Typical therapy dog tasks are going to nursing homes or hospitals to cheer people up. For your dog to qualify, he/she must be friendly with strangers, and with training, be able to work around a high level of distraction and to understand personal boundaries, such as not jumping up, licking, mouthing, etc.
Research shows that therapy dogs can have a positive effect on a patient’s mood, stress, and pain levels during facility stays. Children, in particular, respond positively to therapy dogs. They are more motivated to participate in treatments, feel optimistic about the future, and experience an overall sense of calm when a certified therapy dog is present.
Therapy dogs can promote social interaction between individuals within communities that may not otherwise experience socialization typically. Therapy dogs offer unconditional love, non-judgmental interaction, reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness and provide an overall positive distraction to ailments.
Goals for Your Therapy Companion
- Socialization
- Lower Pain Levels
- Motivation
- Provide Comfort
- Decrease in Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
- Promote Healing
- Increase Overall Optimism
- Ease Loneliness
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite New Mexico location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Therapy Dog
Therapy dog training is based on your dog's abilities.
$3,495
A therapy dog volunteers alongside you, where permitted, and provides comfort to others. Examples include cheering people up at nursing homes or hospitals.
A good therapy dog is naturally friendly with strangers, able to work around a high level of distraction (with training), and able to understand personal boundaries, such as not jumping up, licking, mouthing, etc (with training).
Training Equipment Included: E collar, Training Clicker, Biothane 4' Flat Leash, Flexi Leash, Place Cot, Bag, Therapy Dog Bandanna, Therapy Dog Collar, I.D. Cards, Registration, & Certificate
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 10 In-Home Sessions *
- Group Training ClassesOne-hour sessions Lifetime Unlimited *
- Lifetime Follow Up & Group Support
- Group dog training in the community
- Therapy bandanna, certification and ID Cards
- An exclusive directory of therapy events and locations for you to donate your time
- Certification/Testing
- Come
- Place(go to bed)
- Heel(walk with you without pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture if desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Down(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
- Get into Car or Kennel
- STOP Running Away
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Puppy Biting
- STOP Chasing Animals
- STOP Chewing
- STOP Digging
- Control Aggression(dog & human)
- Make a friend
- One personalized greeting (high five, shake, hug, etc.)
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
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Empowering Owners
We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times. -
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis. -
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
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Supportive
We support Owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session"). -
Involved
We work with all members of the household. -
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
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Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training. -
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term. -
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing PSYCHOLOGY noun
A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
I am very impressed with John’s Knowledge and expertise. Our first session together with my dog was spectacular. In fact, using the techniques that John suggested, it was almost Like having a remote control for my dog. We are very pleased with the results so far And are very excited to see where this training will lead us.— Brent Poindexter
Posted April 5th 2024
We just signed our dog up for the therapy training program. After one week of training under John's guidance, we feel like we have a different dog! You think you have a well-trained dog until you actually see the difference that professional help can make. John is patient, kind, and incredibly knowledgable. We have followed his advice and tips and will continue to do so because it is working. We can't wait to see the final results!— Dina Knouse
Posted April 5th 2024
my experience with the Dog Training Elite team has been amazing. With my current service dog getting up in age, and needing to retire I needed a training program that could tailor around my work schedule for my new puppy. I cannot tell you what a savior Dog Training Elite has been. I'm very impressed with their methods and could not have asked for a more patient and empowering trainer than John!— Stacey Gunthorpe
Posted March 31st 2024
We absolutely recommend dog training elite! The personal approach was just what our rescue dog needed and the instructions gave us, the dog parents many tools for our tool box. We are well on our way to having a well behaved pooch!!!— Deb Dorn
Posted December 29th 2023
Susan was great. We gained the tools and confidence to keep our dog safe, and safe for others. She told us what to expect every step of the way, and just like she said would be the case, we learned as much as our dog did. Worth every penny, as we know this is just a foundation on which we can now continue to build.— Cristian Gabriel Cruz
Posted December 5th 2023
This team is awesome, everyone is super friendly and welcoming. Susan was our trainer and she was very knowledgeable and really easy to work. 10 out of 10 would recommend.— Raymond Caldwell
Posted November 3rd 2023
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite New Mexico, we believe that Service Dogs save lives. It is our mission to make these life-saving companions available to our Veterans, First Responders, Women Survivors, and Children with Medical Needs. Whether it be for PTSD, Mobility Support, or Special Needs, Dog Training Elite New Mexico works with the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.