Have you ever wondered how to train a therapy dog to go to a reading program at schools and libraries? Perhaps there is a child in your life that may need encouragement reading? How do they get the dogs to seem like they are reading with the kids? It’s easy! Here’s how:
- Get a large book like an atlas and a bunch of small treats
- Place a treat in between every page of the book
- Sit on the floor next to your dog with the book on the floor in front of you
-Open the book, allow dog to get treat
- Turn page, allow dog to get treat
Soon your dog will be looking at the book searching for the next treat! Once he does this, reduce treats to every other page, then third page, then fourth etc. until there is only one treat at the end. If your dog fails at any point to pay attention to the book, back up a step, you are going too fast for him.
This is a great way to get kids that are struggling to read, reading. The dogs appear to be paying attention to the story, and they are nonjudgmental of the child’s ability. When the child finishes, they can give your dog a treat! That’s a reward for both the child AND the dog. Soon the child will be looking forward to reading, it’s fun reading with a Newf!
No comments:
Post a Comment