When you think of therapy dogs, the usual breed of dog that you think about is a Labrador. You very rarely think of a Rottweiler! However, despite contrary opinion, Rottweilers can make excellent therapy dogs and they can be just as loving as a Labrador if they are given half the chance. The main reason which puts people off using their Rottweiler as a therapy dog is the bad reputation and reactions that they get from the public. However, if you have a Rottweiler which you think people could benefit from then it is definitely something that you should think about.
Why Rottweilers Can Make Good Therapy Dogs
Many Rottweilers are actually quite friendly, docile animals. They are naturally watchful but given they get the right training and a loving home, they can make excellent family pets. They particularly love children and so it may be a good idea to have them as a therapy dog for children specifically. This may not go down too well with some of the parents but if you can convince them that your Rottweiler is friendly and that it will not be left alone with the child then there should not be too much of a problem.
People who are ill and who have nothing else to do but stay in a hospital bed all day really do appreciate therapy dogs. They give them something to look forward to and to focus on. Now the Rottweilers that do currently work as therapy dogs have been met with some scepticism. However as soon as their little tails have started wagging and they have given a paw to the sick elderly patients, people's hearts soon melt.
For anyone who does know a Rottweiler therapy dog, they know exactly how friendly and lovable they can be. It is a sad fact that a lot of people want to ban the Rottweiler because it is only a select few that let the breed down. Rottweilers love people and they love the attention that they get from being a therapy dog. You wouldn't let any therapy dog be around people without any training. Even Labradors and Spaniels need to be trained before they are let loose on people. So the fact that you have a Rottweiler does not demand any special training, it just needs socialising properly like all other therapy dogs are.
Overall Rottweilers can make surprisingly good therapy dogs. They are loyal, they love attention and they get on really well with children. They are working dogs and they are happiest when they have a job to do. So do not dismiss them straight away as they may just surprise you. Whether they are being used as therapy dogs for the elderly or therapy dogs for children, Rottweilers really can make the perfect therapy companions.
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