Businesses Breeders Classifieds Forums Photos Chat News Video Features Events Clubs Books
Reptile & Amphibians Insects Birds Cats Dogs Exotics Horses Aquaria Ponds PetHobbyist PetPress PetSupport RescueNetwork My Account
auctions - advertising rates - site news - help - contact

Looking for a pet? Try a rescue first! Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Columbia Fed. St. of Micronesia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Marshall Islands Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota N. Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Palau Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Alberta British Columbia Labrador Manitoba Newfoundland New Brunswick Nova Scotia Nunavut Northwest Territories Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territories Other click here to add your rescue

October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month! Weekend Chats: Saturday 9 PM ET Dogs, Dogs, and More Dogs Sunday 10 PM ET The Bull Pen

Posted by KDiamondDavis on January 28, 2003 at 12:38:28:

In Reply to: Denied by TDI...onto Delta... posted by Chelle on January 28, 2003 at 09:07:52:

:I have been training with my dog for almost a year with a group to do therapy work. We took our TDI test in November and passed the evaluation. We've continued to train while waiting for our paperwork to go through. In December we were informed that we needed to provide the TDI committee with further details as to why we answered the questions, "Does your dog get along well with other dogs?" as a "yes- if known" and "no- if unknown." Apparently they did not like my answer. I have a shiba inu. A breed that no one could honestly answer that question with a firm "yes." Even in their reply back to me they said their reason for denying my application was, "not a reflection on my dog's temperament, or your capability as a handler." I respect their decision, but I feel then that the test does not reflect what they want from a dog and handler. My dog easily passed the "meeting a neutral dog" part of the test. As a handler, I am fully aware that I need to keep my dog's attention when working with her. I compensate for her and make her work with me. When properly introduced to a dog (not straining at the end of a 6' leash) she easily works around them. Yet, there's no amount of work I can do to change her breed. I socialized her extensively, and some dogs are fine, but I was honest. She will never get along "well" with an unknown dog. She will tolerate it. I'm going to take the Delta test in a few months. The group I work with is good and they help us. If she weren't doing so well in the "mock visits" I would consider not doing this with her. Yet, everyone who sees me work with her says we are a great team. I just could not convey that on paper in writing. Even our evaluator wrote that we were a "cute bright team, very confident." So, discouraged, disappointed, frustrated, confidence lost, but there's always tomorrow. >>>

I'm so sorry for your disappointment. It might be worth contacting TDI again, possibly by phone or email, and talking further about it. It sounds like they are being super-cautious for insurance reasons. To some extent these decisions are always subjective, and I'm often glad I'm not in the position of an evaluator. It's possible this decision is open to appeal. It does sound like you are doing a wonderful job with your dog.

Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinarypartner.com

Follow Ups:

• I thought about that... Chelle 01/28/03 (1)
  • Re: I thought about that... KDiamondDavis 01/29/03 (0)