Home Page › Blog › How to Train a Service Dog for Anxiety – 6 Important Steps
It is highly recommended to start out with the right breed for being a service dog. Some canines just do not exhibit the right temperament to do this important and demanding job.
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Why You Can’t Pet a Service Dog
It’s tempting to pet a service dog. After all, these dogs are well-behaved, adorable, and very approachable. What harm could it do? It’s just a pat on their soft furry head and maybe a treat. So, is it okay to pet a service dog? The short answer is “NO.” It’s never a good idea to […]
Can a Service Dog also be a Therapy Dog
Although they both offer vital services, a service dog and a therapy dog are not the same. These two types of dogs are not afforded the same federal rights to public access under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They provide very different services for people. On rare occasions, however, a Service Dog can also […]
Best Mobility Service Dog Breeds
Mobility service dogs do more than help a person with a disability walk or remain upright. They can receive training to perform a variety of tasks related to movement. For instance, they can: Move obstacles out of a disabled person’s path (such as rugs, chairs, or small objects). Obtain items that are out of reach […]
An ESA is not a service dog and does not have the same public access rights as service dogs do!
My dog is almost perfect he has already started training before we got him, however he is a little bit shy when it comes to new places. Does anyone know how to help with that?
Try to introduce him slowly to new places and things. Lots of dogs are often fearful when faced with new challenges. I looked to this page once before when I had to train my old service dog on detecting my anxiety attacks and she started out fearful of going out and being in new places and a car, which I suspect is mainly because we rescued her from a shelter.
Everything i read was to give treats,treats, treats. Like you are trying to teach the calm settle. Kikopup has some awesome videos. The most amazing thing is that she has Australian sheep dogs.
Why is this topic such a secret? The question is how to train the dog to react to the cues for anxiety? Can you provide the answer?
Unfortunately, we don’t offer any training programs nor are we professional trainers. We suggest reaching out to a professional dog trainer that has experience with psychiatric service dogs.
Hi so I was wondering if I can train my French bulldog to be an anxiety service dog. I have Health Anxiety, would that even qualify me to allow her to be one?
Yes, if your dog can pass a public test (follow basic commands and behave appropriately in public) and can perform a task that is directly helping your disability – any task which you cannot perform yourself in times of need – then your bulldog can become your service dog. You can read more about the requirements of a service dog here https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/service-dog-requirements/
On the other hand, if your dog mainly provides support and comfort and doesn’t need to perform any specific tasks, you may consider applying for an emotional support animal. You may find this article on requirements for emotional support animals interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/emotional-support-dog-requirements/
Good luck, I’m sure your Frenchie will become an awesome assistance animal to you.
My dog is a JRT/ chihuahua mix and my doctor is writing his ESA letter right now. If he’s good in public just do what I did. Bought my dog a service dog vest harness. Now me personally I will NOT take him out in public cause he don’t know how to act and I have paranoia that he will catch something beinf outside our yard. But as wrong as it is, if you get one they can only ask two questions and that’s it.
Hey it’s been almost 5 months I think since I last commented. My pitbull when I got him wasn’t trained at all. He lived in the back yard no interaction with people or other dogs. It’s been a long journey. At first he was only going to be a regular dog, but his character is so calm people mistake him as a service dog. Now I get panic attacks alot especially in public. I did my research and I began my journey to training him. We’re 8 months in. He now knows, sit, stay, down, leave it, bed, up, off. The tasks trained that he knows so far is paws on and paws off, (he has picked up that I am often anxious when I wake up, he automatically does dpt when I lay on my back) he has learned tuck, which is going on between my legs, and under objects. He used to be super skidish but I with daily walks, he is more aware and is able to refocus quickly. He wasn’t socialized but I was able to socialize him. Due to the fact of no people interaction he doesn’t really care that strangers are calling him, but he is able to be petted by strangers. He is also learning to touch, alert to my shaking leg. He’s doing great but I just wondered if anyone had recommendations for me. I’m open to anything- – by a person who is self training
I have serve anxiety and panic attacks. I’m looking for a dog. What kind of dog breed would be the right breed for me to have to help me with this.
Depending on the tasks your Service Dog would perform, you can narrow down what breed of dog you need. You may then want to adopt a dog from a reputable breeder or visit your local animal shelter to find a match. And you can find a trainer to teach your dog to perform the tasks needed, or you can train your dog yourself. You may find this article on how to get a Service Dog interesting – https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-a-service-dog/
Unfortunately, without a displayable task, just calming an attack doesn’t count. HOWEVER, Deep Pressure Therapy IS a task and is easily trained. The dog lays or steps on certain pressure points in the body in order to prevent an attack. Also, if the dog alerts to an attack, and is trained to do so, that also counts as a service. But just being there, with no trained task such as DPT, alerting, or disrupting harmful behaviors, wouldn’t qualify.
I cannot afford to pay for a trained service dog, so I would likely be adopting a dog and training it myself. This was useful information about training – but I don’t see anything about what happens after training. Is there a test a dog needs to pass before registering as a service dog, similar to the canine good citizen? And where would I take my dog to be tested?
Its best to go to home depot or anywhere that allows pets first or look for people that see if your dog is okay with being in public
A good test to take, for your own sake, would be a Public Access Test, similar to one done by Canine Assistants International (or the same one!). Most CGC certified testers can also give the Public Access test- just document the tester and video the test for reference later. While no test is required, this will be a good one to demonstrate that you have did your job as a trainer!
I have been looking for a service dog for my daughter who suffers from severe anxiety. Her father just bought her an 8 week old lab puppy and will be transporting the animal up from Florida it Illinois (where we live) shortly. I have fostered enough dogs to teach the basic commands in both English and sign language. What other information can you provide me with to ensure this is a registered service dog?
Service dogs, as required by the ADA right now, do not require a registration but it is helpful (just be sure it’s legit). However, for the dog to be protected under federal law as a service dog, your daughter will need a letter from a licensed mental health professional such as a psychiatrist.
link to ADA info on service dogs and emotional support animals
https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html
Answers to several if the questions above
If I have anxiety. How will have the patients to have one and train one
From my understanding a dog that can just cuddle with you and make you be less anxious can still be a service dog….it is providing a function for you to help you get thru your stress… you are not allowed in a lot of places with a emotional support dog.
Make sure you have a doctor to write you a letter….get your dog obedience trained…you can do this…train her to jump in your lap on command when you get nervious.. she will allow you to hold on to her for as long as you need……there it is….that is all that is required
No its has to do at least 1 or 2/more tasks including: stopping you from crying, getting your medication, water, phone, and it must be actually doing the task you trained it to do!
Very true Charity! Just being there only qualifies as an ESA. But Deep Pressure Therapy can be taught, as can alerting to a potential attack, which gives two relatively simple tasks. BUT they need to be trained!! And the dog needs EXTENSIVE obedience training! Don’t make the rest of us look bad 😉
I have seperation and social anxiety and a lot of times I wont leave my mom’s side. I am always afraid someone is watching me and I also get very nervous and have many breakdowns when I take tests. I have many times where I cannot move becuase I cannot control myself when having nervous breakdowns. When I heard about emotional support dogs I began to research ones that can help with anxiety and found this page. I am begining to think about getting one but we don’t have much money so I don’t know what to do. Is there any way to get a esa for free? If so can anyone tell me where to get one at?
Talk to your doctor about one, also esa aren’t allowed in school they are only allowed in your home and pet friendly places and sometimes planes
esa’s are just pets service dogs on the other hand can go any where with you
but i am also looking for a service dog
i have sever social anxiety and i dont like being in crouds or i think i am always being stared at
but i think i need a service dog just to help tho
Fern, a service dog attracts attention to you. Not all store owners are going to know the ADA rules and will do dumb stuff. Young children will ask to pet. Some people will even try to take pictures. If you don’t like being social I think a service dog won’t be for you.
I have social anxiety and panic attacks. I get most of them at school and when Im around my family. I have a 2 year old dog who I wanted to train as a service dog, to help me calm down. I get very stressed when Im in close proximity to people especially my brothers.
I am looking into making my dog Leah into a service dog for my anxiety and panic attacks. When I get nervous and I start having an attack, she lays beside me and tries to calm me down. I hope she becomes a service dog because of the fact it happens when I am alone.
It sounds like shes already perfect for it. Your next step would be to ask a doctor for a recommendation for a service animal after explaining what benefit it would be to you. From there you can train your dog however you’d like and actually legally call her a service dog. Beyond that before getting a recommendation there’s no reason you couldn’t start more extensive training right now
I am in the same scenario. If I continue training my dog with the intent of it becoming a psychiatric service dog, how do I get the legal coverage?
Make sure you get a doctor to agree with this that it is needed… sounds like she already is doing the task required. Also have a doctor that says you have this illness.
Make sure you can get your dog obedience trained….you can do this part.
And sign her up….doc notes are required. 1. That you have this disability and 2 that they believe a dog would be affective to hep.
That is partly correct. It is allowed to ask whether the dog is a service animal required because of a disability. It is also allowed to ask what service the dog has been trained to provide. But it is not allowed to ask questions of the individual and they are not required to answer any questions about the nature of their disability or their need for the service animal.
So if you get her trained to be a good canine citizen in public and follow a set of basic commands, she already is a service dog, because she knows hot to do her job (comfort you). Despite popular belief, service dogs can be self-taught- I am training mine to alert me because I am hard of hearing, as well as comfort me because of anxiety attacks. You don’t have to pay $2,000+ to train your dog, DEPENDING ON THE DISABILITY (getting a seizure alert dog is a different story). I paid $300 to do basic, intermediate, and advanced training at Petsmart so she knows the basics, but the rest I am doing myself.
Now, technically service dogs don’t have to be registered anywhere (because there isn’t a main national registry) or have a vest (you have the right to not have a vest on them as it can be embarrassing and lead to people treating you differently, you just have to answer the owner/manager that the dog is a service dog, and what task they perform). However, doing both the registration and vest makes life a lot easier, so I recommend it!
I have ibs and my stress and anxiety levels can trigger it. Do i qualify for a service dog? Cuz mine helped me reduce the dizziness whn my ibs kicked in. Shes only about 6months old and she knows the basics. If she qualifies for a in training what do i put her as.
I am not a professional, so take this for what it’s worth: there are two questions that a shopkeeper (etc.) is allowed to ask you to decide whether your animal is a legitimate service animal: what disability does it help you with, and what has it been trained to do to help you cope with your disability. If there are no tasks it has been trained to perform to help you cope with IBS, it cannot be a legal service animal.
You might look up “emotional support animal” (esa). That sounds like what you need for coping with stress.
Good luck
Helping to calm down a mental state such as anxiety is a service. The dogs trianing would be for the anxiety to help alleviate the ibs. So having a dog that can notice her beginning to have anxiety can greatly help her from becoming too anxious and in result minimizing the trigger for ibs. The difference is if she wants a free dog an esa would be best as they are not required to have training for a skill. A service dog would have the skill and training to not only calm her anxiety down but behave properly in public access
Hi, that’s not true, HIPAA prevents anyone from inquiring as to why you have a service animal or what tasks it performs. As far as the law is concerned the animal is a medical necessity therefor legally no one has a right to know anything more.
ACTUALLY…
From the ADA FAQ
Q7. What questions can a covered entity’s employees ask to determine if a dog is a service animal?
A. In situations where it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Staff are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.
That’s untrue. The ADA website states that people are, by law, allowed to sask two (2) questions:
“ADA service dog laws will always overrule local laws. Business owners and staff are only allowed to ask two questions regarding service dogs. They may ask if the dog is a service animal that is required due to a disability and what type of work or task the dog has been trained to do.”
https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/ada-service-dog-laws/
THAT is not true Anna. According to ADA, a shop owner is allowed to ask 1-if the dog is a service dog, and 2- what specific service dog task are they trained to perform. They CAN’T ask about your disability, but sometimes answering the 2nd question gives it away (i.e. my dog assists when I have an attack, or my dog alerts me to certain noises). They can’t ask why, but they can ask what the animal does. This website is a good resource- https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/ada-service-dog-laws/
This is true. No one as the right to ask. However we have found with my daughters dog, Moses, who is in training that they will ask and it is how you respond to these questions that can make entrance into a business easy, or not. I would soy 85 percent of the time Moses’s harness does the talking and we have no issues. About 10 % of people are genuinely curious and ask about how we found him and about his training. The last 5% do ask about my daughters disability and what Moses does for her, and my daughter generally chooses to answer, its all in how the question(s) are posed to her. Moses is for Anxiety, panic attacks and depression. He is a rescue we got at the age of 3. The manager of the shelter also has an anxiety service dog and knew he had great potential. Moses was neglected, left tied to a tree all of his life, but once rescued he was eager to learn, and to please, and he cued to the managers stress. We have had Moses for 7 months. He had to learn first to be a dog, (He didn’t even know what a ball was. Then obedience, and over time he has gained complete confidence in most public situations. I say most because he has not flown, yet. He is incredibly intelligent, devoted to my daughter and yes he cues to her at the slightest sign of stress. Moses has several tasks to perform for my daughter. He is still learning but when his training is completed, he will do all of the following. He will “COVER” her lap with is head and paws if she is in a chair to get her attention back to reality during a panic attack, if she is lying down he applies Deep pressure therapy (DPT) by lying on top of her legs and torso. If he cannot get her attention he will get someone else’ and bring them to her. He carries her emergency inhaler and medications in his back pack, and he wakes her if she does not get up in the morning. Moses is not proficient in all of his tasks yet but for just 7 months he is doing great. Moses is a 60 lb half chow and half black Lab. Labs are popular service animals for their laid back temperament. We were very fortunate to find Moses.
You are absolutely right. It is the law that a person with a Service dog cannot be asked for proof nor condition of the handler.
Actually under the ada a federal law, a shop may ask two things, is that a service animal and what tasks does it provide, they can’t ask for medical records like that though
From my understanding a dog that can just cuddle with you and make you be less anxious can still be a service dog….it is providing a function for you to help you get thru your stress… you are not allowed in a lot of places with a emotional support dog.
Make sure you have a doctor to write you a letter….get your dog obedience trained…you can do this…train her to jump in your lap on command when you get nervious.. she will allow you to hold on to her for as long as you need……there it is….that is all that is required
Well, there’s a thin line between an ESA and a Psychiatric Service Dog. While an ESA can cuddle with you and make you less anxious, they are not a service dog because they do not perform a task. But a PSD can be trained to “sense” or recognize the signs of an impending panic attack and take appropriate measures to lessen the impact or assist the handler in avoiding it completely.
For example, my ESA Romeo offers me cuddles and helps me to feel safe at home, but I can’t take him to public places where pets are not allowed.
ESAs and PSDs are fairly similar, but even so, PSDs are definitely equal to medical alert dogs. Their tasks may be different, but they both help mitigate disabilities.
Also, I’ll mention that you don’t need a letter from your doctor to get a service dog. You do need to be diagnosed by a professional with some sort of disability that prevents you from living your everyday life, but to get a service dog, you just need to ensure you have to properly trained.
If I have anxiety to the point where I pull all nightmares because I’m scared someone’s about to start fighting or get hurt or something and my heart rate goes up I get dizzie I feel really dehydrated and scared to the point where I dont want to leave my room ( All because of stuff that happens in my past ) if I train a lab puppy basic obedience and train it to jump on my and distract me from feeling anxious by laying me down and letting me pet it and by fetching a water bottle for me downstairs when I’m isolating my self in my room during a panic attack can they quantify for a SD?
That does sound like a job for a service dog. Just be aware that finding and training a dog to perform the tasks needed could take time. You can adopt a dog from a reputable breeder or visit your local animal shelter to find a match. And then, you can find a trainer to teach your dog to perform the tasks needed, or you can train your dog yourself. You may find this article on how to get a service dog interesting – https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-a-service-dog/
My 17 year old has a collie that is a year and a half. She does well with basic commands. For the past few months my daughter has been suffering from severe anxiety with no known cause. She does have an appointment scheduled. Her dog is now acting scared around people when my daughter is anxious. I think the dog is picking up on her anxiety and is mimicking the emotion. Who do I take the dog to in order to train her to recognize the anxiety but give a positive response to it instead of also acting anxious?
If you wondering what to classify her as, it would be considered a medical alert dog. Even a service dog for anxiety is considered a medical alert dog due to the anxiety presenting certain symptoms that are able to be identified by the service animal. But on a personal note I to have IBS and I know the effect that it has had on the tool of my day to day life. It is a specially difficult for me because i am only 13 I was diagnosed last year in September of 2018 after I delt with 4 months of painstaking worry if I would be able to go out and have a good time with friends and family without having to go into the bathroom for 30-45 minuets. And the longer I stayed in the bathroom the worst my anxiety got I would start to think, OMG I’m wasting all of their time, what if the forget the I’m in here and they left without me! And as you probably know just makes the pain worse! Since I am so young I am unable to go onto any medication for mine but I have noticed that after a ibs episode I like to lay on the couch and rest. And usually my dogs will like to come up with me and comfort me while the pain passes. I have wondered if I to should consider potentially getting a service dog. Please reply to tell me if you have started to get a service dog and if so what are your first steps of the journey in to get one.
It can be so scary and stressful to have ibs. I had problems for so many years before a diagnosis. You seem to be bright and articulate and have a positive “can-do” attitude. My dogs have been a great source of comfort and I know that they are counting on me to get up and walk and go exploring and tend to them whether I feel good or not. I was tested for Celiac and the result was negative. A gluten free diet has been a “game changer “. I encourage you to explore dietary changes ( not restrictions……optimal fuel is how I think of it now.). A close connection with a very special dog that’s your number one and eliminating foods that you are allergic to/ that don’t make you feel your best—- these changes/additions can make a huge positive difference in your life. I’m probably older than your parents—-I just hope that my experience can give you a jump start to the healthy life that you deserve. Wishing you all the best. I’m rooting for you. P.S. first time for me to comment- ever. about anything…. 😀
Hi my name is Jennie, I suffer from severe anxiety and PTSD. I am also diagnosed with bipolar type 1. I am a victim of domestic violence but I like to call myself a survivor not a victim. I was held hostage for 3 days by my husband. He severely beat me, strangled me and suffocated me. He held a gun to my head numerous times. He sexually assaulted me and did cruel and awful things to me in those three days. I now suffer from extreme paranoia, night terrors and extreme and severe anxiety. I am new to the idea of a service animal, but I think that I would benefit from one immensely. I am looking for a free puppy or older service animal preferably a dog to help me with my anxiety and panic attacks. Any advice on where I should look would be great! I am ready to find my partner in crime. Thank you
We found our 11 month old terrior at the pound….she was so sweet and the staff loved her. She is now our adopted daughters dog that has anxiety and depression. The dog just has a natural instinct to this and also can recognize pain….my daughter has cuddled with her every day since day one when she is nervious and she picked up quickly. Our family also train dogs in obedience. Now we have and ausiedoodle and we love these very smart dogs….they can be small or big and sound very loud when barking a warning…sounds like for people that have had trauma and need to feel protected they should get a big dog. But a smart quick learner and do a lot of obedience training with them…so that on command the dog can be by you in seconds if your feeling nervous….also dogs naturally cuddle you when they sleep with you and can possible lick you if you are having bad dreams….I really love this new mixed breed the ausiedoodle…he never leaves my side or the kids…smart…wants to please and trains fast and easy…..there is a puppy test to give them…look up online under puppy test for a new puppy. Females are always easier to train….but we have had 2 males and they have been great….I really recommand a 50+ pound dog for the female that was physically hurt…this size is a good size to handle but also make you feel safe
Hello,
I am so sad to hear what happened to you. You are a brave women and I hope that you have found your best friend.
Julie
My son is 14 and has the same. I am just starting this Journey. I thought it sounded nuts but then I stopped and thought about every time that he has been around a dog. He is a different child. Any information that you run across would be a great help to me.
Thanks you. I hope that you find what you are looking for. I wish your daughter well.
Amanda
I am looking at a foster dog who’s 11 weeks to work with my daughter has severe anxiety & pani attacks. She’s done a lot of research an I was a little skeptical at first. However, the more research I do it sounds like it would help our entire household! I am new to all of this so would we get a puppy from a particular organization other yhe one she has her eye on with a foster family? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Melina
I don’t know if you’ve already chosen a dog or not, but getting a dog from an organization can either be a very costly or very time-consuming experience. If you choose to purchase an already-trained dog, it can cost around $15,000 or more. No joke. If you would like to go with an organization that offers service dogs for free, they always have an extensive wait list that can take years to get to the top of. You could look into getting a failed-program service dog, which is a service-dog-in-training that, for whatever reason, wasn’t chosen to continue with the program, These are usually very well-trained dogs who either have a medical issue that prevents them from being able to continue with their program, or have a simple behavior issue which was deemed too much to try to work with. The benefit of getting one of these dogs is that they’re already very well-trained in obedience and socialization, assuming you get the dog from a good program (I recommend Guide Dogs for the Blind, as I have had personal experience with them as one of their puppy raisers), and the dog you get will likely only have a minor issue that can be worked out with time and patience. If you would like to adopt a foster/shelter/rescue dog, make SURE it passes all the behavior/temperament tests (i.e., Is it fearful? Is it confident? Is it aggressive?). Also try to find as much information about the dog’s background as you can. A super-sweet, happy puppy can grow up to be a very fearful dog if it was abused before you got it, and there is no way for you to know whether or not this will happen to your puppy unless you know its background. If you can find a full-grown (but still young) shelter dog, this would be ideal. At this point, the dog will be old enough to be put through all of the behavior tests and achieve an accurate result. On the other hand, if you can get a dog from a breeder, it will be expensive, but it’s a good way to ensure you’re getting a great dog.
Sorry for the long post, I hope it helps!
well said about the expense and temperament. I never knew about the failed program, though! thank you for that information!
my husband has Parkinson’s, and oftentimes hallucinates. I’m going to find a way to train his 4 year old dog to help him, as he loves her very much already.
Hi,My adopted 30 year old has had severe anxiety and panic attacks+ .She used oxycodone to cope for y.earsA pit bull rescue,abused,was given her.Four years later the dog can be presented with any animal and sits nonchalantly.My daughter became suicidal,was forced into jail,detoxed and chose to LIVE for that dog.Two things,dogs can heal what humans can not.The bond,if guided by positive reinforcement can improve anyone.And lastly NEVER underestimate the ability of a canine,nor a homo sapiens- with guidance.
One of the cheapest ways to go about this is contact your local dog trainers. If you can find a trainer who works with self-trained service dogs they can help both with selecting a dog, training, and meeting all legal requirements. I’m a dog trainer and I have worked with a number of clients to do this. My advise is look for a trainer before you look for a dog. Many people will pick an unsuitable dog and wait too long to begin training.
I looked for breeds that love to be cuddled, small, to medium size dogs are great emotional support dogs. They needed to be trainable, basic house stuff. I chose a puppy so we could bond, this is important.
Hi Melina! I took the route of deciding to train my own dog – she is a Golden Retriever and though she initially costed me about $1000 – I will say she truly, even at a young age, is very intuitive to my stress and anxiety. As an example, she is only about 10 weeks old currently and so she is mouthy (nips a lot while playing) and still working on potty training. She knows “sit” “lay down” “go potty” and “in your crate,” so she is smart but her energy is high. That said, yesterday I had to take a day off work because I felt incredibly pressured and stressed. I have issues with anxiety and was experiencing difficulty. She picked up on it immediately and laid her head on some part of my body for extended periods of time throughout the day – this is so rare for puppies!! If you’re deciding on a breed I would have to say please research goldens. There’s a reason they’re so popular in the service dog world. Good luck 🙂
Hello Michela,
This is very helpful for me. Do you intend on completing the training on your own? If so, could you recommend any books or training references you have used or intend on using?
Thank you,
Rebecca