Gus doesn't lack the heart of a therapy dog. He lacks the brakes.

There's a great children's book called We Don't Eat Our Classmates, about a little T-rex starting school. She's so excited to make friends that she enthusiastically and accidentally eats her classmates. This is how Gus greets people. It's not a lack of heart, and it's certainly not a lack of confidence. It's a lack of brakes.

Of course, we all know that all the training in the world can't make a therapy dog out of one who wasn't born to love it. But what about the dog who was born to love it, but comes in like a wrecking ball?

In Gus's defense, he's only 2½, and in Lab years, he's still got plenty of growing up to do. And loving people isn't the same as being ready to visit people. Even though Gus is my fifth dog, I'm no expert. I rely on really smart dog trainers and the advice of this wonderful therapy dog community. I'm doing all the things. At least, as many of the things I can fit into my day alongside running a business and life. And Gus is progressing! But man, it's hard, and there's a long way to go.

I think my point is, if you have a puppy or young dog you'd love to get into the world of therapy dog volunteering, be patient and be realistic. Enjoy the dog in front of you. And do the things. Work consistently on what matters: impulse control, neutrality, adaptability, and learning to be calm. And after all that, will you end up with a therapy dog? Maybe, maybe not. But what you will end up with is a great bond with a great dog, and that's the best.

Gus may still want to eat his classmates. He may still come in like a wrecking ball. But I sort of love that about him. We'll work on it, though, because I still believe Therapy Dog Gus is in there somewhere. He might just be a few years away.

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