Training a Service Dog for Anxiety-Related IssuesWe have all seen service dogs who help physically challenged people, but did you know you can even train them if you suffer from anxiety-related issues? A service dog for anxiety can anticipate anxiety attacks, fetch medication for their owner, and offer a sense of calm altogether. They are especially helpful for those suffering from emotional and mental problems such as social anxiety and PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder). In this article, we will discuss everything about how to train a service dog for anxiety. Now let us see the details. 1. Choosing the Right Service Dog The first thing you need to ensure is that you pick the right dog breed for being a service dog. Remember, some dogs out there do not have the right temper to do this demanding and crucial job. So, it’s suggested to get the right breed, such as border collies, labradors, and golden retrievers, and get them trained under one of the service dog training programs provided by professional dog trainers. Before choosing the right service dog for anxiety, look for the following qualities in the dog:
2. Decide on the Service Dog’s Job Once you have decided to train your dog as a service dog, it’s now time for you to determine what you want your dog to do for you. After you have identified that, you can now start building a bond with the dog. This will help your dog to understand when you are anxious and when you are in a relaxed state. Remember, dogs are very intuitive and can easily distinguish such feelings. 3. Developing Social Skills Dogs are friendly and social animals. So, you need to maintain that and make sure that the dog is not stressed or frightened every time it encounters something new. You can develop your dog’s socializing skills by introducing him to new situations and new people and by taking him outside the house. 4. Start with Basic Training Skills Before giving your service dog intense training, give him basic training and teach him skills, which include stay, sit, come, leave, drop, and heel. If you think you cannot teach your dog the basic skills, you can always take help from a professional trainer who will give behavior, off-leash, and on-leash training to your dog. This will make your dog more calm and obedient. 5. Individual Response Training It can be very complicated to train a dog for being attentive when a person is about to have a panic attack. But, by building a strong bond with your dog, he can understand your body language and can detect chemical changes in your body. When you are feeling stressed, you can hold your dog close and cuddle him. This will not only provide you relief but will also help your dog know that you are having an anxiety attack. Hence, it’s essential to ensure that your dog has the right temperament to deal with such situations. Conclusion You need to be persistent and patient with your dog, especially when you are training him for anxiety. You can first start with socialization and basic training, then work on its public access skills. All in all, having a service dog for anxiety will heal you and get you back on track. You can also hire a professional dog trainer Sam Ivy — they provide service dog training programs to make sure that your dog remains obedient and performs his tasks well even in high distraction situations.
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