As a new therapy dog handler, or even if you’ve been volunteering with your dog for months or years, you may have wondered how much your dog should be working. The answer to this question can vary widely from dog to dog. We’ve broken down some things to consider and what to look for so you know when your dog has had enough.
Before you go
Check-in with your dog. They should be excited about the visit. If your pup is having an off day, consider skipping or postponing the visit. This is volunteer work for both you and your dog and you want to make sure it is a fun, positive experience for your dog.
On your visit
You want to make sure you’re checking in with your dog often. While you might be a team, your job is to ensure that your dog is comfortable, happy and feeling safe at all times. Visiting can be overwhelming for your dog. Think about visiting a crowded mall at the holidays. While you may love to shop, waiting in long lines, maneuvering through crowds and all the extra smells of holiday treats can quickly become overstimulating. Even though you like to shop, there could come a point where this is overstimulating. Therapy dog visits can be like this for your pup!
While you’re visiting, you will need to carefully monitor how people engage with your dog. This is especially true when working with younger children or those with cognitive disabilities. If you see someone petting your dog too hard or in a spot they don’t really like - you can speak up. Even if your dog is tolerating it, they may not be enjoying it and we don’t want to put your dog in an uncomfortable position. You can still be friendly and positive. Say something like “My dog really likes gentle pets on his head and back like this.” Demonstrate for the person and then allow them to try. If this doesn’t work you can end the interaction. Try saying something like “We’ve really enjoyed visiting with you and we need to give other people an opportunity to visit with us.”
Watch for subtle signs your pup has had enough
While every dog is different and you’ll get to know your dog’s signals after just a few visits, here are some common subtle signals that your pup has had enough:
Licking and yawning
Restlessness
Not wanting to be pet or avoiding people
Barking or whining
Looking for the door
If you notice any of these behaviors in your dog you should think about ending the visit as soon as possible. You can try giving your dog a break to go outside first. Your pup may need a bathroom break, some fresh air or a change of scenery. Go with your gut though, if you think your pup is barking because they’re having fun, it’s likely okay to stay a little longer. If you’re not sure, better to err on the side of overly cautious and end the visit. You don’t want to wait until your pup has to give you a less subtle sign that it’s time to leave! It is good to leave your pup wanting more and excited about another visit then have them feel overworked, overtired and dread visiting because they know they’re in for a long workday.
Serious signs your dog needs to end a visit
Either you missed a few subtle cues or your pup didn’t give them, but for whatever reason, your dog is now saying “Get me out of here!” Something in the environment may have changed (more people or loud music for example) or your pup may just be getting tired. This might look like:
Continuous barking
Growling
Getting agitated or mouthy
Trying to play too rough
Lack of interest in food rewards
Doesn’t engage when their name is called
If you’re seeing any of these in your dog, you need to end the visit immediately. Let whoever is in charge of the visit or event know you need to be finished volunteering for the day. You can politely excuse yourself by saying “Thanks for having us but my dog is ready to head out, we’re looking forward to visiting again soon.”
How often and how long can my dog work?
Now that you’ve got an understanding of what to look for when your dog is working, you may still be wondering how often they can work and how long of a shift they can take.
The answer to this question can vary from dog to dog. Here are a few things you need to consider when deciding how often and how long to work your pup:
How old is your dog?
How long have they been participating in therapy visits?
Where are your visits? How stressful are they for your dog?
Does my dog spend a lot of time in the car getting to and from visits?
How many people is your dog interacting with? How does your dog like to interact with people?
For dogs who are younger or new to therapy work, you will most likely want to start slowly. You can let facilities know in advance that your dog is new to therapy work and be proactive about your dog’s needs. For the first few visits plan to stay no more than one hour. Be flexible though, if your dog is showing any signs of fear, stress, overwhelm or exhaustion - feel free to end the visit and reward your dog for a job well done! You could stop for a special treat on the way home or make sure you have a favorite on standby for after the visit.
Some older or more experienced dogs can work longer stretches. This will vary widely between dogs. Even if your dog is experienced, loves to work and/or is older, it is important to know when maybe enough is enough. If your dog isn’t giving you signals, still continue to check in with your pup and offer breaks.
