Temperament is the#1 trait in a 'Therapy Dog'. You can teach/change temperament to a point. I suggest you concentrate on socializing Not just at home, but by taking your pet everywhere you can. I love teasing my pet in every way I can imagine, always ending with a happy, positive time and a hug.
Visiting several stores including Lowe's, Home Depot, Farm & Fleet, Kohl's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Michaels, Home Goods, and Hobby Lobby just to mention a few is a great starting point for socialization.
My dog enjoys going to antique malls, but heed the warning, you break it you buy it, watch the wagging tail. She loves to vacation with us, which has made her an excellent traveler. She also loves to stay in motels, and watching people at street side cafes.
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A few things I found that will help:
...if you get a new PUPPY, breath gently into their nose occasionally, for the first couple months, this should be done by one person, I found that it replaces the mom's scent.
...depending on your pup, try taking food out of its dish while it is eating, feed it to her piece by piece as she continues to eat
...get on your knees and play, dogs love it when you are at their level
...constantly play with their feet, ears, mouth, tail
... touch every part of their body, talk to them as you do this
​ ...teach them a command for when you are all done playing. I cross my arms across
my chest and say 'all done'
...don't forget to constantly praise your dog for good deeds, NEVER scold
...Use only Positive training -- NEVER Negative. Praise the good, I like to ignore the bad or redirect and start again.
Certifications: AKC requirements...
... you don't need any special classes to get your dog certified according to AKC as a 'Therapy Dog', however most teams
complete the CGC, then take the next class which is a Therapy Class. This class should take you on 3
supervised visits, and explain what happens on a visit.
...'CGC' stands for 'Canine Good Citizen', don't forget 'Temperament' is the #1 requirement.
...your dog must be at least 1 year old to begin making official visits, handler must be at least 18+ years old
... youth under 18 may be certified, but must be supervised by a certified adult on the same dog.
...you must be certified with a National Therapy Dog organization, now required for AKC title recognition
...AKC.org has a list of recognized organizations and also offers special titles for your Therapy Dog's community service
...any dog can receive an AKC registration number, check out their site for details, it's called a PAL # or Alternative #