First and foremost, it’s important to note that although emotional support animals (ESAs) do not have to undergo specialized training like service dogs, there are some common decorum expectations. 

Emotional support animals are animals that a licensed therapist or doctor recommends for individuals with mental health issues. Emotional support animals have special rights that allow them to live in no-pets buildings without paying any fees or deposits.

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In this article, we will explain the training requirements for emotional support animals. We will also talk about the qualities and traits your dog should possess to help with your condition.

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What training requirements are there for emotional support animals?

Under federal guidelines, emotional support dogs do NOT need any specialized training. The purpose of an emotional support dog is to provide comfort to their owner in times of distress. Emotional support dogs accomplish this mission just by being loyal and present companions. 

Emotional support dogs should, however, have basic skills that every dog is expected to learn. For example, all emotional support dogs should be housebroken and understand basic commands.

Oftentimes, emotional support dogs live in buildings that prohibit pets. They are allowed to do this because ESAs are exempt from pet restrictions. That makes it especially important for an emotional support dog not to misbehave and antagonize neighbors.

Emotional support dogs can also be denied by landlords if they exhibit aggressive behavior toward other tenants or cause substantial property damage. 

Just because ESAs don’t require specialized training doesn’t mean they can be completely untrained. Like other animals that live in residential buildings, they must act like good neighbors. 

What qualities should an Emotional Support Dog possess?

Most dogs have a natural tendency to be devoted to their pet parent; after all, that’s what makes them a person’s best friend. There is no one right type of ESA for someone’s needs. However, you should consider how a dog’s personality may affect your mental health.

For example, if you were recommended an emotional support dog for your anxiety, an overly anxious or excitable dog may not be the best fit. If you suffer from depression, an outgoing dog with a cheerful personality may help you get unstuck from negative routines. 

When choosing a dog to adopt as your emotional support animal, pay attention to its personality and temperament. If you are adopting the dog from a rescue that has fostered the dog, they may be able to give you detailed information about the dog’s traits and unique personality. Animal shelter workers also do a great job of assessing pets’ personalities and matching them with potential parents.

Tips on Training your Emotional Support Dog

Puppies in ESA training

It’s important to ensure your emotional support dog has a grasp of basic commands and is properly socialized. 

Starting the training early: If you are adopting a puppy, start with the basics of obedience training: sit, stay, down, come, heel, etc. The younger you start with these lessons, the more likely your dog will be successful in mastering these skills. If you adopt an older dog that has not been well-trained, don’t fret. Older dogs may take a bit longer to train, but you can still teach an old dog new tricks. The key is consistency, positive reinforcement, and, when necessary, help from a professional trainer or dog behavioral specialist. 

Additional requirements: In addition to obedience, your dog will also need to be well socialized. This means no barking, jumping, lunging, begging for food, or other potentially disruptive habits some dogs can exhibit when out in a public setting.

Your ESA may be living in a building that normally doesn’t allow pets, making it especially important that they are on their best behavior around neighbors that might be skeptical about the presence of a dog at first. 

If you don’t feel up to the task of training your dog, enlist the help of a professional trainer or sign up for group training sessions.

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A quick trick to teach your dog to calm your anxiety

Emotional support dogs do not require specialized training the same way psychiatric service dogs do. Psychiatric service dogs must undergo special training to perform a job or task relating to the owner’s disability. 

Clinical studies have shown that a technique called Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) can help calm those who suffer from anxiety, autism, self-harming behaviors, and stress in general. This is a skill that some psychiatric service dogs are able to perform. 

Teaching an emotional support dog to perform this task may also benefit ESA owners. 

The principle behind DPT is to have the dog apply gentle pressure to your body, chest, or affected body part, depending on the size of the canine. For smaller dogs, you can teach them to lie directly across your chest or along the front of your body, while larger breeds can be trained to place their heads or feet across your lap or legs — whatever is most comfortable for you.

ESA owner training ESA dog in park

Here are some suggested steps for teaching your dog Deep Pressure Therapy:

  1. On the Sofa & Paws Up Command

    If your dog isn’t used to being on a sofa, you may have to coax them with some treats. This is as simple as showing your dog the treat, then slowly moving them to the back of the sofa while excitedly saying their name and “paws up” (e.g., “Toby, paws up!”)

    Depending on your dog’s reluctance to join you on the sofa, you may have to reward them each time they get closer to being on the couch.

  2. Practice

    If you have a smaller dog, the main goal is for your pooch to have all four paws on the sofa, then be in a “down” position. If your dog is larger and you don’t want to or can’t bear his weight, this “paws up” command will be with his front paws or head on the sofa.

    Keep practicing the “paws up” command with treats until your dog knows what it means. Once this is accomplished, you can practice it without the aid of treats — you want your dog to do this because you need it to, not because there is a food reward at the end of the session.

  3. Paws Off Command

    Next, you will want to teach your dog the “paws off” command. This is the same as “paws up,” but in reverse. To practice, call your dog off the sofa with the command “paws off.”

    Remember to reward them each time they follow through.

  4. Laying/Sitting on Sofa

    Ideally, for the DPT to work, you want your small-to-medium-size dog to lie vertically alongside your body with their paws on your shoulders and their head next to yours. If you have a large dog, they will put their paws across your legs or lay their head on your lap when you are in a sitting position.

    To train your dog to do this, use the “paws up” command, then the “down” command once he is vertically in place or along your lap. When your dog accomplishes this task, give him a treat, followed by the “paws down” command.

    You have to practice this training in order for your dog to do it on command, without a food reward at the end.

    If you are teaching a larger dog the DPT technique, they will have to lean into your lap for the pressure to be applied properly; however, once your dog relaxes, they should naturally put their weight on your lap.

  5. Signs of Anxiety Training

    Once your dog has mastered the above techniques, take the training further by mimicking the symptoms you experience during a stressful situation. By practicing this while you are calm and able to reward your dog for following the commands, both of you will be better when you are in real need.

ESA dog on couch training

Emotional Support Dogs Help

Emotional support dogs have a special way of calming people down or comforting them in their moments of need. To qualify for an emotional support dog, you need an ESA letter from a licensed healthcare professional. To work directly with a licensed ESA specialist, click on the link below.

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