01/31/2024
Couldn't agree with this more!!!!
If your dog isn't cut out for therapy, service work, a particular dog sport etc... don't force them to fit your desires! Respect and love the dog you have โค๏ธ
Far too often I see so called Therapy Dogs working and not enjoying it at all. If they are sleeping or shut down and canโt wait to leave, itโs not their gig and not in their best interest to force them to be a Therapy Dog.
People want their dog to be therapy dogs for good reasons but are often unaware of their dogs capacity for being a good therapy dog. Overlooking this important communication from your dog is doing a disservice to your dog.
Signs of disinterest include: sleeping, tongue flick, panting, looking away, yawning, whale eye, looking at you, not the person they are there for, no wagging tail, tucked tail, etc.
Check your ego and see who you are doing this for; the person needing therapy from a dog, your dog or you. If itโs the latter twoโฆ STOP. Listen to your dog, be kind and donโt ask your dog to do this for you.