Emotional support dogs (ESDs) are more than devoted companions. They help ease debilitating mental health symptoms in a way that allows their owners to feel relief and regain control over their day-to-day lives.
Emotional support dogs are distinct from service dogs, and they aren’t required to undergo formal training. However, training is still important — and oftentimes a necessity — for them to benefit from certain legal protections. This includes housing privileges under the federal Fair Housing Act.
Below, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about emotional support dog training. We’ll also cover the legal implications and who can qualify for an ESD. Being informed is the first step in making the right choice for your well-being.
What Are Emotional Support Animals?
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are animals who, through their companionship and presence, help to relieve symptoms of mental health disabilities. Any animal can gain legal recognition as an ESA, including dogs and more uncommon species like reptiles and tarantulas. There are no size, breed, or weight restrictions.
Note that emotional support animals differ from service dogs. Service dogs are classified as working animals, as they provide support through disability-related trained tasks.
How Do I Qualify for an Emotional Support Dog?
If you have a diagnosed mental health disability that affects at least one area of your life, then you already meet the initial requirement for an emotional support dog. However, you also need to undergo an ESA evaluation with a mental healthcare professional who is licensed to practice in your state.
The healthcare provider will assess your disability-specific needs and determine if an ESA is the right treatment for you. If approved, they will prescribe you a valid ESA letter, which legitimizes your ESA and entitles you to certain legal protections (more on this below).
Emotional Support Dog Legal Protections
Emotional support dogs lack the same scope of rights as service animals. However, they are, at a minimum, protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) in every state. This law was established in 1968 to help prevent discrimination in housing situations, including the purchase and rental of properties.
The FHA has enacted several policies and regulations to ensure those with disabilities have equal opportunity to secure safe and comfortable housing in the US. This includes the accommodation of their emotional support animals. Under the FHA, landlords must allow individuals to live with their ESAs, even if they typically prohibit pets. They also cannot subject ESAs to pet-specific policies, regulations, or fees like pet rent.
Do Emotional Support Dogs Require Training?
Emotional support dogs are not required to undergo formal training to become legally valid. The only requirement is that the animal provides therapeutic relief from a diagnosed mental health disability. Still, that doesn’t mean you should overlook their training.
Emotional Support Dog Training and Why It’s Important
Training an emotional support dog doesn’t just foster your shared bond; it also ensures they’ll behave in a way that is consistent, predictable, and reliable around you. These are all aspects that can help you feel at ease and minimize your stress rather than exacerbate it.
Training is also important if you’re hoping to live with your ESA in rented accommodation. While the FHA protects ESAs, a landlord is still within their rights to deny an ESA housing if they behave disruptively or endanger other tenants.
A landlord is also entitled to ask your ESA to leave the premises if they cause significant property damage or foul communal areas.
By training your emotional support dog carefully, you’ll ensure your landlord never has a justifiable reason to deny them their housing rights. It also minimizes the chances of disputes or conflicts with other tenants at the property.
Emotional Support Dog Training: Key Skills
To ensure your ESD can provide you with the best possible support and live happily by your side, you need to help them master the fundamentals. This includes basic obedience, socialization, housebreaking, and leash training.
Basic Obedience Training
Basic obedience establishes a strong foundation for good behavior and is integral for both your ESD’s well-being and the safety of those around them.
You may have already taught your emotional support dog some basic commands, though you need to ensure they respond to basic cues consistently, regardless of their environment. Staple basic obedience commands include “sit,” “stay,” “lie down,” “leave it,” and recall.
Practice these commands in a variety of different places to help build reliability. You should also introduce distractions gradually, going at a pace that doesn’t overwhelm them and keeps them engaged.
Socialization
Socialization involves exposing your dog to different people, sounds, environments, and situations. Socialization helps your dog to see the world as a safe and comfortable place, and that the unknown is more likely to bring with it positive experiences than potential threats or dangers. This builds their confidence and helps to prevent behavioral concerns like reactivity or over-vigilance.
Socialization also improves your ESD’s distress tolerance and ensures they can remain a grounding, therapeutic presence for you, even in circumstances that may be overwhelming. Socialization around strangers is especially important if you intend to live in an apartment block with multiple tenants, or plan on frequenting dog-friendly cafes, shops, or other businesses.
Housetraining
Your emotional support dog must be able to relieve themselves in a sanitary manner. Accidents that result in ruined carpets or other property damage can cause your ESA to be denied their housing rights.
Housebreaking can take some time, though most dogs pick things up quickly with the right guidance and a patient, reassuring hand. Crate training can also help set them up for success, as dogs instinctively avoid soiling where they sleep.
Leash Training
Leash training makes it easier to keep your emotional support dog under control when navigating public spaces. It also helps your dog learn to follow your guidance closely, which can set them up for success in other areas.
Start with loose leash training and address any problematic behaviors, such as pulling, lunging, or leash biting.
Once addressed, and your pup can walk confidently on the leash, consider heel training them. This builds self-control and patience, as it teaches your dog to walk directly at your side while matching your pace.
Minimize Barking
Excessive barking can constitute a disruption, making it crucial to address this behavior before you receive complaints from other tenants.
Teach your emotional support dog the “quiet” command and help them expend excess energy with plenty of exercise. You should also ensure you’re tackling the underlying cause behind their excessive barking.
If your ESD barks when they’re bored, keep them mentally stimulated with interactive play. If they struggle with separation anxiety, ensure you don’t leave them alone for more than a few hours at a time. You should also consider a desensitization and counter-conditioning routine to help them tolerate being alone.
Emotional Support Dog Training Tips
Emotional support dog training can seem difficult at first, especially if you’re a novice owner and aren’t sure where to start. Work your way through the key skills above and leverage our tip below:
- Always use positive reinforcement (reward-based) techniques
- Take the time to identify what your pup considers high value (e.g., treats, praise, or certain toys)
- Break lengthy training sessions down into short sessions throughout the day to keep your ESD engaged
- Stick to a consistent training schedule
- Seek professional guidance and support as needed
You should also be patient and never get frustrated with your emotional support dog. A stern tone or loud snap can break their trust in you and set their progress back.
Emotional Support Dog Training: Getting Professional Help
We understand that training an emotional support dog can still be overwhelming, especially when you also have to battle debilitating symptoms and juggle therapy appointments and day-to-day responsibilities.
At Emotional Support Animal, we can help give you tailored ESD advice and even get you connected with a reputable in-person trainer in your area. Be sure to reach out to our team for more information and support.