First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that emotional support animals (ESAs), unlike service animals, do not require specialized training. They are recommended by licensed therapists or doctors to provide comfort and support to individuals with mental health issues.
ESAs hold special rights that enable them to reside in housing designated as “no-pets” without requiring payment of fees or deposits. This accommodation is based on their role in mitigating the effects of psychological conditions.
What training requirements are there for emotional support animals?
According to federal guidelines, emotional support dogs are not required to undergo specialized training. Their primary role is to offer comfort to their owners during times of distress by simply being loyal and present companions.
However, it is expected that emotional support dogs possess basic skills that are typical for all dogs. For instance, they should be housebroken and understand fundamental commands.
Often, emotional support dogs reside in buildings where pets are generally not allowed, thanks to exemptions provided for ESAs. This underscores the importance of these dogs behaving well and not causing issues with neighbors.
Landlords retain the right to refuse accommodation for emotional support dogs if they demonstrate aggressive behavior towards other tenants or cause significant property damage.
While ESAs do not require specialized training, it is essential that they are not completely untrained. Similar to other animals in residential settings, they must adhere to good neighbor principles to maintain a harmonious environment.
How to Train an Emotional Support Dog
Although emotional support dogs aren’t required to learn specific skills, teaching them basic obedience and house manners can greatly benefit both you and your ESA. By providing general obedience training and ensuring they are house trained, you can effectively minimize behavioral issues both indoors and outdoors. Here are the five key tasks or commands that are particularly important to teach your ESA dog:
1. Potty Training
The initial priority in training your ESA should be potty training, which hinges on consistency. Ensure you take your dog outside at regular intervals and to the same designated spot each time. Reward them generously when they successfully relieve themselves outdoors.
For puppies, it’s crucial to take them outside frequently. Puppies can typically hold their bladder for about one hour per month of age during the day and double that at night.
2. Sit and Down
Another fundamental command to teach your ESA is “sit,” which most dogs find easy to learn because it’s a natural position. Begin by holding a treat close to their nose while they’re standing. Gradually move the treat upwards and towards their back while saying “sit.” Reward them with a verbal praise like “good” and a treat once they sit down.
Once your dog has mastered “sit,” you can move on to teaching them “down.” Start again with a treat near their nose and lower it towards the ground while saying “down.” Reward them when they lie down, and continue practicing until they do so willingly.
3. Stay and Come
Once your dog has mastered sitting reliably, you can begin teaching them the “stay” command. After they sit, start by stepping back slowly while extending your hand toward them with your palm out, and say “stay.” Gradually increase the distance between you and your dog, ensuring to reward them consistently with treats when they remain in place..
4. Leave It
This command is particularly crucial for emotional support dogs that will accompany you in public spaces where there may be unfamiliar items. Begin by holding some treats in your hand, but close your hand if your dog attempts to take them. Once your dog backs off, repeat the exercise until they stop trying to take the treats from you.
Next, progress to placing the treats on the ground and repeating the same process. You can also introduce the command “leave it” during this step. Reward your dog with different treats when they successfully leave the practice treat on the floor.
5. Deep Pressure Therapy
Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) is a therapeutic technique that can greatly benefit individuals dealing with anxiety or stress. An ESA dog can be trained to provide physical pressure when instructed, particularly during anxiety attacks. Smaller dogs can use their entire body, while larger dogs can apply pressure with their paws or heads.
Begin by teaching your dog to calmly get on and off furniture using commands like “up” and “down” or “paws off.” Once they have mastered this, guide them into the appropriate DPT position on your lap or body, encouraging them to remain calm. Reward them with treats for responding correctly.
If your ESA dog is trained in deep pressure therapy, they may qualify as a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD). This designation allows them to accompany you in public places and on airlines, providing essential support during stressful situations.
What qualities should an Emotional Support Dog possess?
Most dogs naturally bond closely with their owners, which is why they’re often considered our best friends. When selecting an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), there isn’t a single type that fits everyone’s needs perfectly. It’s crucial to consider how a dog’s personality can impact your mental health.
For instance, if you’re recommended an ESA to help with anxiety, a dog that is overly anxious or excitable might not be ideal. Conversely, if you’re dealing with depression, a sociable and cheerful dog could potentially help lift your spirits and break negative routines.
When choosing an ESA, pay close attention to their personality and temperament. If you’re adopting from a rescue organization that fosters dogs, they can provide valuable insights into the dog’s traits and behaviors. Shelter staff are also adept at assessing pets’ personalities, making them excellent resources for matching animals with prospective owners.
Emotional Support Dogs vs. Psychiatric Service Dogs
Psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) are distinct from emotional support animals (ESAs) in both their training requirements and legal rights. Unlike ESAs, PSDs undergo specialized training to perform specific tasks that mitigate their handler’s psychiatric disability. The training requirements for a psychiatric service dog typically include:
- Task-Specific Training: PSDs are trained to perform tasks that assist individuals with psychiatric disabilities, such as interrupting self-harming behaviors, providing deep pressure therapy during anxiety attacks, or retrieving medication.
- Public Access Training: PSDs must be trained to behave appropriately in public settings. They learn to remain calm and focused amidst distractions, to walk on a leash without pulling, and to ignore food and other distractions in public places.
- Obedience Training: Similar to ESAs, PSDs must have a solid foundation in basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and leave it. They must reliably follow these commands even in challenging situations.
- Socialization: PSDs undergo extensive socialization to ensure they are comfortable and well-behaved in various environments, including crowded places, public transportation, and around other animals.
- Handler-Specific Tasks: The training is tailored to meet the specific needs of their handler’s psychiatric disability. This could include recognizing signs of anxiety or panic attacks, alerting to changes in mood, or providing physical support during episodes.
There’s no mandatory enrollment in a “registered” training program for service dogs, and many owners choose to train their service dogs independently.
Service dogs are afforded more extensive legal protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). These laws permit service dogs to accompany their handlers into public places and aboard aircraft.
Where ordinary pets are generally prohibited. In contrast, emotional support animals (ESAs) are only allowed to reside in their owner’s primary residence, even if it’s designated as a “no pet” community.
Because emotional support animals (ESAs) do not have specific training requirements, there is no need to seek out “certified” dogs or trainers. You can consider adopting a well-behaved dog from a reputable breeder or a shelter.
There are no legal regulations regarding who can train an emotional support dog. You can start by training your own dog and then potentially move on to training other dogs as well.
Absolutely! Many ESA owners opt to train their own dogs. As long as you’re committed to dedicating time and effort to teach your dog proper behavior, there’s no need to hire a professional trainer.
There is no official certification process for an ESA. However, if you intend to take your dog with you, especially in public places, it’s advisable to ensure they are well-behaved and potty trained.
Yes! It’s often easier to train puppies than older dogs, who may have already developed some bad habits.
