YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Do you have a certified Pet Therapy Yorkie?

addevo · 01-27-2010, 02:54 PM

We adopted Finbar, a yorkie/shih tzu cross from our local shelter as a puppy. When he was 8 months old, I took him to a basic obedience class where we did very well. Once he was 2, I took him for an evaluation as a therapy dog, and he passed with flying colors. In fact, the trainers both said that he was "born to do therapy work." He LOVES going to the nursing homes, and so do I. Then, my husband wanted to get in on the fun. So he and Finbar got certified as a team, too.

The problem is that since we both enjoy taking Finbar to visits on the weekends, but there are two of us and only one dog. (We have another rescue Yorkie, who was a puppy mill mommy dog. Though she is a wonderful pet, she as a lot of little behavioral quirks and isn't really suited to be a therapy dog.)

I'd love to adopt another yorkie, but I'm wondering if the reason Finbar is such a good therapy dog is related to his Shih Tzu temperament more than his Yorkie heritage.

I know all dogs have their own personalities, but has anyone on this Forum had good luck with training a Yorkie for Pet Therapy? If so, could you tell me a little more about your dog so I would know what qualities to look for? Also, do you think that Yorkie rescues would be "turned off" by my desire to adopt a dog for that purpose?

01-27-2010, 02:54 PM	#1
addevo Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Alexandria, VA, USA (near Washington, DC) Posts: 312	Do you have a certified Pet Therapy Yorkie? We adopted Finbar, a yorkie/shih tzu cross from our local shelter as a puppy. When he was 8 months old, I took him to a basic obedience class where we did very well. Once he was 2, I took him for an evaluation as a therapy dog, and he passed with flying colors. In fact, the trainers both said that he was "born to do therapy work." He LOVES going to the nursing homes, and so do I. Then, my husband wanted to get in on the fun. So he and Finbar got certified as a team, too. The problem is that since we both enjoy taking Finbar to visits on the weekends, but there are two of us and only one dog. (We have another rescue Yorkie, who was a puppy mill mommy dog. Though she is a wonderful pet, she as a lot of little behavioral quirks and isn't really suited to be a therapy dog.) I'd love to adopt another yorkie, but I'm wondering if the reason Finbar is such a good therapy dog is related to his Shih Tzu temperament more than his Yorkie heritage. I know all dogs have their own personalities, but has anyone on this Forum had good luck with training a Yorkie for Pet Therapy? If so, could you tell me a little more about your dog so I would know what qualities to look for? Also, do you think that Yorkie rescues would be "turned off" by my desire to adopt a dog for that purpose?