Comments on: How to Train a Dog to Be an Emotional Support Animal

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 21:17:28 +0000

In reply to Carolyn “Kip” Brown. We're so happy to hear about all the ways your dog is able to help you! Unfortunately we don't offer any training services, but it sounds like your best bet would be reaching out to a professional trainer for advice. You don't need the help of a trainer to train a service dog under the ADA, but if you're stuck a trainer can be a great resource.

By: Carolyn “Kip” Brown

Carolyn “Kip” Brown — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 01:56:08 +0000

Hello, my 2 1/2 year old Spoodle (87% Standard Poodle & 13% Cocker Spaniel) has recently been prescribed by 2 doctors, I have PTSD, depression, severe anxiety/panic disorder, plus chronic pain head to toes,
I would love to teach her to become a service dog for me, but first I want to teach her to pick up items I need since bending down I will tip over. I fall too much as is, I am using a walker now, how can I teach her? She does fetch her toys and balls, and she does bring them to me,
I just have to figure out how she can learn to pick up an item.
Any suggestions?

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 04:38:51 +0000

In reply to Deborah Turner. Thank you for sharing and so sorry to hear about your loss.

By: Deborah Turner

Deborah Turner — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 23:39:04 +0000

Just wanted to tell my story. I had cancer on 2013 and went through surgery, chemo, and 35 radiation treatments. My fur baby took me throughout. He never left my side. Juan was 17 when he passed. He was the best friend I ever had. Shame people can’t do that.

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 07:33:15 +0000

In reply to Piper.

Emotional support animals are great companions for people with depression and anxiety. Also note that that ESAs do NOT require any specialized training. Service dogs require extensive training to perform tasks, but an emotional support animal does it job just by being at its human’s side. Unless you need a dog to perform a job or task relating to your condition, an emotional support animal is likely more appropriate for your situation. If you would like a licensed ESA professional to help you qualify for an ESA letter, just click on this link to get started: https://app.esadoctors.com/checkout/

By: Piper

Piper — Sat, 24 Dec 2022 02:48:58 +0000

I’ve been struggling with depression since 2020 and anxiety for I don’t know how long over the years it’s gotten worse and my friends recently brought service/emotional support dogs to my attention that they would benefit me so I started doing research. I discovered that emotional support dogs would be more suited to my needs rather then a service dog. I have two of my own dogs. They are both 8, small chihuahua mix breeds, very hyper but can be calm when they want to. I’ve asked my parents about a professional support dog and they said no so I started considering training my dogs I talked about above to be emotional support dog. After reading this it makes me wonder if they would be good for this job after training. Could anyone give me tips or something to help or if you think they would work to be emotional support dogs.

By: Danial

Danial — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 22:22:53 +0000

Okay, so I was just reading over this website, and I agree with most of everything being said in here. The one thing I did not see was a tab about socialization. Socialization with your dog at a young age is VERY crucially important, so they can understand and learn to ignore others in its environment. I’m not a doctor, or a professional trainer, but I do know a lot of things about training and socializing dogs. So please take it from me, it is very important if you want your dog to be an ESA. I have been training dogs since I was six, and I have learned a lot not only from them, but from other readings as well, so I know how important socialization is not only for you, but for the dog. So consider that when you start training. It makes it a lot easier in public environments, trust me, I learned that the hard way.

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 17:25:44 +0000

In reply to Shaylynne Gray. Thank you for your input! We agree that socializing a dog from an early age is important.

By: ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 17:24:40 +0000

In reply to Shaylynne Gray. It only makes sense to train a dog to become a service animal if they must perform a job or task that helps with your disability. If the dog does not need any specialized training and provides comfort for mental health issues just by being present, it is more likely suited as an emotional support animal.

By: Shaylynne Gray

Shaylynne Gray — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 15:41:46 +0000

So, I know quite a bit about dogs, but I do need an opinion. My parents wont let me get a dog myself, but my grandparents dog I have trained to do many different things. She is a Yorkie, and I was wondering if you think it would be a good idea to keep training her and possibly using her as a service dog when she is around? I have anxiety, and I am recovering from depression.