Presa Canario as service dog or therapy dog

[esaudio]

Hi,
I just saw a documentary on service dogs and it is really amazing what these dogs can do for a person and how they can help human beings and touch lives. I also saw that for most people to get access to a service dogs, it is extremely expensive and there are huge waiting lists of up to 3 years. This made me really want to learn how to do this and actually train a dog to give it to someone in need for free, someone who would otherwise never have access to such an animal.

The problem is, I have no idea where to start, and I would like to know if there are any online programs out there that would teach you all that is required for a dog to be truly a good service dog. I just bought a book and a DVD called Teamwork II for this purpose, but I would like to know if someone knows of any specific standards, specifications etc that may be required.

I have a beautiful Presa Canario puppy (tentatively called "Penny") She is 9 weeks old. I am seriously considering to train her as a service dog, not to give away as she is my girl, but to gain experience in the process and then get another dog to train and give away to someone who may need this type of assistance. For this second dog I would probably go with a Lab which I know are very friendly and good for something like this.

Do any of you have ever heard, had or seen any Presa Canario trained as service dog? Do you think it would be worth trying or that the breed would be reluctant to do this type of work?
Don't take me wrong, I did tons of research on this breed and I LOVE IT, but I have found nothing about presa canarios as service dogs, so I assume it's either not a good idea or something not tried much. So this forum could be a great opportunity to get in contact with people who really have presas and could give me some more insight.

Thanks so much for reading these lines and thanks in advance for any ideas.
Julio

 

[Cobalt]

Not sure about the area you live in, but I have my AmStaff currently going through 2nd level (3 more to go) of training to become a therapy dog - it's sponsored by "St.John Ambulance" here (similar to Red Cross Community Services), so you may want to check with those type of organizations first. For us, first three levels of training are all about completely nailing down basic to advanced obedience training. This has to be done before going on to more client based training and evaluation. I know quiet a few people now with registered therapy dogs and it's a rewarding experience for sure. Good luck!

 

[esaudio]

Not sure about the area you live in, but I have my AmStaff currently going through 2nd level (3 more to go) of training to become a therapy dog - it's sponsored by "St.John Ambulance" here (similar to Red Cross Community Services), so you may want to check with those type of organizations first. For us, first three levels of training are all about completely nailing down basic to advanced obedience training. This has to be done before going on to more client based training and evaluation. I know quiet a few people now with registered therapy dogs and it's a rewarding experience for sure. Good luck!

Thanks so much for the pointer. I will look into that. And do you think a Presa Canario would make a good therapy dog with the right training?

 

[Cobalt]

There are different focus' for therapy dogs - children, adults only, etc.; I'm sure any dog with the right temperament and training could fit into one of those niches.

 

[Gunners Dad]

I Purchased my presa from a service dog breeder, mostly for PTSD solders he's a retired vet and an amazing individual, I would hit him up here's there face book app and I think there on instagram.. there names are Jonathan and Annette www.facebook.com/8VerdinosDeGranCanarii8 hope link works this is in search Verdinos De Gran Canarii amazing couple !!!

 

[esaudio]

Thanks so much guys, I do appreciate your information!

 

[QY10]

I personally think that the larger, more dominant breeds would be pretty successful in being Mental Health Assistance Dogs. Part of being a mental health assistance dog is all about increasing feelings of safety and being a physical barrier between the handler and general public to reduce anxiety and stress.

Mental Health Assistance Dogs - Mental Health Service Dogs

The one issue that has come up in other discussions is... if the handler needed assistance (police, paramedic, firemen etc...) would the dog allow them to get close enough to their handler? I would imagine that the dog would need pretty extensive socialization with people in uniforms so that they are not viewed as potential threats.

 

[karennj]

My female swiss mountain dog is a therapy dog. Our focus is children but we do library, hospital, nursing home and school visits. It takes a certain type of dog to really enjoy therapy work. Sadie loves to be pet, and she does not care who is doing it. She will stand there as long as you pet her which is perfect for therapy work. She was also raised around kids so she is absolutely bomb proof. I tell her to visit and point to the person and she gets up close to them and just stands with her back accessible so they can pet her. She really is the perfect therapy dog. I did no training with her, she just is a natural and passed her test with flying colors. If you have a calm dog who is pretty much bomb proof and likes to stand still for periods of time while being pet by strangers you have a therapy dog!

 

[esaudio]

Thank you all for the info. It is just awesome what our furry animals can do!