How to Train Your Dog to Help With Depression

Hello Jamie, I would work on public access, the same way you would for a service dog, therapy dog, or generally really well behaved dog. Attending a puppy class with pup can help with socialization. Once pup is older, a canine good citizen class or intermediate obedience class can help prepare an emotional support dog for their role. You might also want to consider if there are specific things you want to teach pup that would help pup support you, like lying on you when you are anxious, initiating social interactions for you first. An emotional support doesn't have to do these things to be a support to you, but you can always teach things that you find most helpful. For a puppy, check out the free pdf e-book After You Get Your Puppy, that you can download at the website below. That's a good general resource for raising a well balanced adaptable dog, which is important for emotional support animals. www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

July 11, 2022

Hello Melissa, To qualify as a service dog, first, pup needs to be allowed public places - this means working on pups general obedience, socialization, and manners, so that pup can go places, get along well with everyone, and be well mannered enough not to disturb others. Joining a Canine Good Citizen or Intermediate obedience class is a good way to work on those things. How is pup around kids, various ages, races, and personalities of people, new objects, noises, other animals? Pup needs to be able to be calm and not distracted by those things. Pup should be able to handle a child or adult suddenly running up and hugging or petting them (although someone should never do that to a service dog - it probably will happen at some point when in public with pup so often). The socialization and manners part of Service Dog training is actually the hardest part many times. Without it a dog can be asked to leave places by restaurant and building owners for causing a disruption and they won't qualify as a service dog. Pup will always be a dog still, so will never be perfect at all times but should do very well! To qualify as a Service Dog a dog needs to be well mannered in public as mentioned above, and be able to perform at least one specialized task that directly assists with the medical or psychological condition they are trained to help with. The person also has to have a doctor approved medical or psychological condition that qualifies. In the United States there is no official certification required for a dog to pass as a Service Dog. A qualifying medical or psychological condition, great behavior while in public, and at least one task that directly helps with your condition is all that is required. Carrying a copy of ADA law regarding service dogs, pup's vet papers, a note from your doctor simply stating your need for a service dog (you don't have to disclose what condition you need help with to anyone), and a vest for pup letting people know pup is a working service dog can help people allow pup into places more easily though. Anyone who offers a certification in the United States may be testing pup according to their own standards for the task training and general manners and behaviors but the certification will not be legally recognized and qualify pup - it's pup's behavior and skills and her own needs for a service dog that qualifies pup as a service dog according to ADA law. https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm As far as who trainer pup, a specific organization doesn't have to do the training (seeing eye dogs are an exception, but this is for most types of service animals). You will need either a board and train program that has successful experience training the type of service dog you need, or a private trainer who will meet with you with the dog to train. A board and train will do the training for you and is more expensive. A private trainer is more affordable but you will have to do most of the training practice with pup, with the instructor teaching you how. There are some groups where you can apply to receive a dog who has already been trained. Some of these programs are need based that you can apply for, then usually wait at least a couple of years for if you qualify. Others are dogs you pay for. It sounds like you are most likely interested in a Board and Train program. I would google Service Dog Board and Train (your state) and see what shows up on google. I would then read reviews or ask for client referrals you can look into, call to ask about their experience with psychiatric service dog training specifically, and go from there based on your findings. With board and train, anywhere you are willing to drive is likely an option for a training facility, so if you don't find somewhere fantastic in your state, I would also look into neighboring states training groups. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

May 26, 2022