The following is some information on the TDI test and a few helpful hints:

• If more than one person will be working with the same TDI certified dog, each person must go through the test with that dog.
• Handlers do not have to own the dog nor do they have to be kin to the owner to be TDI certified with that dog.
• The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test is a certification program that tests dogs in simulated everyday situations in a relaxed atmosphere. It identifies and rewards dogs that have the training and demeanor to be reliable family members as well as good-standing community members.
• The Therapy Dogs International, Inc (TDI) Test is a certification program that tests dogs for the ability to perform "emotional therapy" in a wide array of facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, juvenile centers, half-way houses, etc.
• The test for the CGC and the TDI are essentially the same; however, dogs may pass the CGC and still fail the TDI if the evaluator has reason to believe that the dog is not yet ready to meet the demands of a therapy situation.
• The test is not a competition and does not require that you and your dog perform with precision.
• Dogs are evaluated on a pass/fail basis. To qualify for the CGC or TDI, a dog must pass each of the test categories.
• Owners may talk to their dogs throughout the tests but can not offer food while the dog is being tested.
• All tests are performed on leash.
• Dogs should wear well-fitting buckle or slip collars made of leather, fabric or chain. Special training collars, such as pinch collars, are not acceptable. The leash should be made of either leather or fabric and be six feet in length.
• Your dog will automatically fail if he eliminates (relieves) himself during the testing. Walk your dog prior to the tests to give him a chance to take care of this business. Be sure to clean up after your dog.
• Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks or attempts to attack a person or another dog will automatically be dismissed. Any dog that is over-friendly and hyper to the point of being out of control will be dismissed. In addition, any dog that exhibits this behavior anywhere in the testing area (even if he is not currently being tested) will be failed. A CGC and / or TDI certified dog should be well behaved anytime they are in public.
• You may never use harsh or very loud verbal corrections.
• Your dog can be either all-American (mixed) or pure-breed to be CGC/TDI certified.
• If your dog is a registered pure-breed, the CGC Title and the TDI certification will NOT appear on your registration papers. The TDI certification is not a title.
• Dogs of any age may be CGC certified; however, dogs must be 1 year of age or older to be TDI certified. There is no maximum age for either certification-- however, if I feel that the dog is simply too old and not in the physical shape to do pet therapy, I will withhold the certification.
• Dogs must have a valid rabies certificate to be CGC/TDI certified. The rabies tag will not be sufficient.

Any other questions? Feel free to e-mail me for an answer!