There is a book in the pet store, the complete idiot's guide to fun and tricks w/ your dog. Lots of goodies there.

Oh Pits...was THAT what they were trying to do when they grab the kleenex and shred it into 40million pieces all over the floor. Mommie's little angels were just trying to bring ME a kleenex. How sweet.

Doesn't that mix doggie slobber with boogers They would have to hand me the box. Considering that I catch Buck munching doo-doo once in a while and the girls grab cookies from the cat box any chance they get, I'm not sure I want that close a relationship with their mouth to my face

Sydney, here are some things Lana will be able to do if you decide to use her as a therapy dog.  She needs to know the "leave it" command - they will put a treat on the floor & you will need to walk her close by it on lead and just tell her to leave it and not have her take the treat.  This is an important one so that if you are in a hospital or nursing home & anything is on the floor such as a med or syringe, etc. you can tell her leave it & not put her in danger.  She will also need to be used to loud noises - occasionally drop a pot lid on the floor when she is in the room - it's OK if she investigates it but she can't spook & run away.  She has to be polite at all times - no jumping on people and has to tolerate others petting her, touching her paws, her tail and brushing her.  She needs a reliable down & stay and recall.  They don't have to be perfect as in an obedience competition but she needs to follow the commands.  She also needs to be comfortable with being left with someone else on lead and have you go out of sight.  No excessive pulling, barking or crying.  She also needs to be able to greet another dog and stay polite then as well.  No dog treats are allowed during the visit - this is a brand new rule with TDI this year.

TDI (Therapy Dogs International) is a great organization.  The dogs must be at least 1 yr old to be tested.  If Lana passes the test & is certified a great benefit is that TDI carries the primary liability insurance which is effective every time you visit a hospital, school, nursing home, library, etc. with Lana as a therapy dog as long as the visit isn't under the auspices of another group who has the insurance.

We have gone to nursing homes & I'll tell you there isn't a better feeling than what you get when you see the smiles your furpal puts on the faces of the residents.