plafleursr
New member
For anyone that was thinking of doing a TDI Test, they have really changed the Test requirements. Here is Web site for test. http://www.tdi-dog.org/images/TestingBrochure.pdf
TDI Has changed Testing.
- Thread starter plafleursr
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Leonard and his bud Snuffles
Active member
Don't know anything about this group, but my friend is a tester/evaluator for Pet Partners (Delta Society). I am thinking when we discussed TDI in the past she thought they were not strict enough. Is this going to a more strict behavior and testing? I did just forward the link to her, and if she wants to read it, I would love to hear her take on it.
Cascadians
New member
Don't know what the test involved before. That page, however, sounds about like CGC with the addition of some standard medical equipment, and kids.
Looks like one could practice with the help of some neighbors and their dogs, everyday type stuff.
The more I see, as a newbie, the more I realize how vital AKC-type obedience is to just about every other activity.
Looks like one could practice with the help of some neighbors and their dogs, everyday type stuff.
The more I see, as a newbie, the more I realize how vital AKC-type obedience is to just about every other activity.
NewfieMama
New member
The two tests look largely similar on paper (delta does not have narrative descriptions so it's hard to say if they are the same).
TDI added the "dog must refuse a treat from someone other than the handler" piece which, while somewhat intimidating, is a good addition I think. Twice in Newtown Cooper had food right under his nose and didn't take it. A toddler was loving on him, both of them lying on the floor, and the little one dropped goldfish right in front of Coop's nose, Cooper's nose twitched but he didn't make a move. The other time a middle schooled pulled a biscuit out of his pocket and offered it, Cooper looked at me, I thanked the boy, explained that Cooper could not have the treat while working but I could give it to him afterwards, and he happily handed it over. Both incidents happened quickly and with 4-5 other people around so it's not as easy to see it coming as you might think.
We saw Delta dogs, Comfort Dogs, and just about every flavor of therapy dog in Newtown. Many were awesome, some had folks scratching their heads wondering how they ever passed a test to begin with. The situation there was much more stressful than an everyday library or nursing home visit and I think some dogs just could not absorb all the tension.
TDI added the "dog must refuse a treat from someone other than the handler" piece which, while somewhat intimidating, is a good addition I think. Twice in Newtown Cooper had food right under his nose and didn't take it. A toddler was loving on him, both of them lying on the floor, and the little one dropped goldfish right in front of Coop's nose, Cooper's nose twitched but he didn't make a move. The other time a middle schooled pulled a biscuit out of his pocket and offered it, Cooper looked at me, I thanked the boy, explained that Cooper could not have the treat while working but I could give it to him afterwards, and he happily handed it over. Both incidents happened quickly and with 4-5 other people around so it's not as easy to see it coming as you might think.
We saw Delta dogs, Comfort Dogs, and just about every flavor of therapy dog in Newtown. Many were awesome, some had folks scratching their heads wondering how they ever passed a test to begin with. The situation there was much more stressful than an everyday library or nursing home visit and I think some dogs just could not absorb all the tension.
newflizzie
New member
Yes, they've changed it since Lizzie took it 2 years ago (before I knew much about other groups). Lizzie could handle a much stricter test (hoping she'll be certified for disaster therapy soon), but I've seen quite a few I've wondered about who passed. Our club is having a "mock" TDI test next week to try and adapt the changes and it will be harder, I think it needs to be.
Whybu1
New member
Very similar to Therapy Dogs Inc and the test used by my group (Paws 4 Hearts). Most of the tests are almost the same as CGC but with more emphasis on dealing with people with disabilities.
Not sure Delta is any stricter. I know many people avoid Delta because they do not allow raw food diets.
Not sure Delta is any stricter. I know many people avoid Delta because they do not allow raw food diets.
CMDRTED
New member
I prefer TDI over Delta and considering the Delta will not accept a dog, whom feeds RAW, I would not be interested in pairing up with them anywho. Yes the TDI Test is very similar to the CGC test, with added parts of disabiled persons. I've had a lot of satisfaction doing TDI. In addition they insure you and the dog on visits, which is pretty comphrehensive.
ElvisTheNewf
Active member
Yup! Elvis couldn't pass the first guidelines. There's no way he'd pass up a treat!
R Taft
Active member
Our testing here is almost the same except we do testing with children and allow contact under very strict initial supervision and by someone who is very familiar at reading dogs and dog savvy kids at first.I mean the dogs have to be good with kids, how do you test it if there is no contact. We also test the dogs being fed if given permission..to make sure they do not grab or nip and how they are around food and people..I think each group has their own take. I used to do Delta testing, but since my fall-out over Annabelle, I have given them the flick
lacey9875
New member
She's great with food-if I drop something on the floor while cooking, she'll look at me to see what she should do, or get up if it's too close. She ( most of the time ) won't take anything from someone else unless I tell her too.
However, once they broke out that vaccuum, she'd be looking for someplace to hide.
ElvisTheNewf
Active member
Elvis is fine with everything except the "sit - walk 10 yards away - call them to come". By the time you get 10 yards away from Elvis he's already laying down. I call him and get this look like "Hey lady, I just got comfy. If you want me, you come here." When he's on a 20 foot lead (how we practiced) he gets right up. If I have cheese for him, he gets right up. But doing it for real? No way. He's rotten. I love him, but he's rotten.
R Taft
Active member
You can get this by becoming unrealiable with treats..sometimes have the most awesome treat, sometimes a mediocre and sometimes none but just a good scratch..start by manywiththe awesome, you being happy and sill too at the recall....do a few, go to the not so awesom, really awesome, none and really awesom again.......Make sure you play a happy sill person to go withthat..you will be amazed at how the dogs start to play the game, forever hopeful that maybe this time there is a awesom treat...We in generall are too reliable and boring. become unreliable and fun and watch things change
R Taft
Active member
You can also get hem used to the vacuum with click and treat, first no noise, after that a good distance and just click and treat good behaviour...Come closer and closer and treat, There is a really good explanation of this on video if you google Dr Sophia Yin and or Google the BAT system..........Even works well to get dogs used to the dryer/blower. My dogs would mostl ikely present their favorite area to be cleaned if the were shown the vacuum. But Annbelle and Lukey used to both be terrified.......
plafleursr
New member
TDI Test was like a CGC plus the medical equipment. But New Test is like Pet Partners (Delta)
lacey9875
New member
Ronnie, I tried putting treats ON the vacuum, and she won't touch them! I leave it out now, partly because I want her to get used to it, and partly because I use it all the time and she is getting better-she doesn't panic anymore.
I'll have to work with her this weekend with the treating as she gets closer to it, just everyday normal activity around it. I never thought about that.
R Taft
Active member
On the vacuum cleaner is obviously to close at present, start further away, make a game out of it and get closer slowly...initially whilst off and on to being faraway on again and getting closer.but you need to be light and have a bit of fun happeningRonnie, I tried putting treats ON the vacuum, and she won't touch them! I leave it out now, partly because I want her to get used to it, and partly because I use it all the time and she is getting better-she doesn't panic anymore.
I'll have to work with her this weekend with the treating as she gets closer to it, just everyday normal activity around it. I never thought about that.
ElvisTheNewf
Active member
Thanks Ronnie!! I hate that Elvis is 5 now and still doesn't have any kind of trusty recall. It's our goal for this spring to make it finally happen!!
Cascadians
New member
Orka just did a Therapy Visit today. Wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, crutches, beeping machines, construction equipment, carts, lots and lots of ppl of all types, all kinds of noises, but especially all kinds of SMELLS.
One of the things I had to teach Orka about therapy, long ago, was that he could not react to smells as he normally would. He could not go after all the food sitting around or stuck on ppl, or sniff their crotches (perhaps full Depends), or get excited at odors an untrained intact male dog might think was good marking fodder. He had to learn to pretend to not notice any odors.
Today he went thru several units, visited a dying person, visited several incontinent persons, ppl eating, ppl in various wheeled conveyances, medications, cleaning supplies, a physical therapy room full of equipment, etc. He is used to all this and sailed through with gentle loving maturity and such utter sweetness and good manners.
Newfs are intuitive so make excellent therapy visitors. Visit the types of facilities you want to serve, and ask for a tour (sans dog) so you know what's there. Then you can go home and make a list and start exposing your Newf to those things.
One of the things I had to teach Orka about therapy, long ago, was that he could not react to smells as he normally would. He could not go after all the food sitting around or stuck on ppl, or sniff their crotches (perhaps full Depends), or get excited at odors an untrained intact male dog might think was good marking fodder. He had to learn to pretend to not notice any odors.
Today he went thru several units, visited a dying person, visited several incontinent persons, ppl eating, ppl in various wheeled conveyances, medications, cleaning supplies, a physical therapy room full of equipment, etc. He is used to all this and sailed through with gentle loving maturity and such utter sweetness and good manners.
Newfs are intuitive so make excellent therapy visitors. Visit the types of facilities you want to serve, and ask for a tour (sans dog) so you know what's there. Then you can go home and make a list and start exposing your Newf to those things.