The selection and training of the dog is extremely important. The dog must be outgoing in nature, but very stable at the same time. The dog shall be very calm in all situations without reacting to the external stimulus. For retrieving, they have to be gentle to pick up the object without harming it.
There are multiple steps involved in selecting and training a dog. The parents and grandparents of the dog have to be known to be selected for the therapy training. Temperament testing of the dog in various situations is also critical. A lot of conditioning and socializing is required during the training duration of a therapy dog.