Dogs have always been known to be man’s best friend, but they can also provide therapeutic benefits. In the United Kingdom, an emotional support animal (ESA) can help those with mental health conditions by providing them with comfort and support. However, it is important to understand that ESAs require specific training in order to fulfil their role as a support animal. In this blog post, we will discuss how to train your dog to be an emotional support animal in the UK.

Understanding the Role of an Emotional Support Animal

Before delving into the specifics of training a dog to be an emotional support animal (ESA), it's important to understand the role that an ESA plays in someone's life. An ESA is not the same as a service animal, which is trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities. Instead, an ESA provides emotional support and comfort to its owner, who may have a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression.

Emotional support animals can provide a wide range of benefits to their owners, including reducing stress and anxiety, providing a sense of calm, and increasing social interaction. However, it's important to note that an ESA is not a substitute for professional medical treatment, and its role is to provide additional support to its owner's existing treatment plan.

With that in mind, let's explore the steps involved in training a dog to be an emotional support animal in the UK.

Selecting the Right Dog

When selecting a dog to be an emotional support animal, there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration. First, it is important to choose a breed that is well-suited to the role of an emotional support animal. While any breed can potentially be an emotional support animal, some breeds are more naturally suited to the role due to their temperament and personality.

Some of the best breeds for emotional support animals include:

1. Golden Retriever: These dogs are known for their friendly and gentle nature, making them great emotional support animals. They are also highly intelligent and easily trained, making them well-suited for the role.

2. Labrador Retriever: Like Golden Retrievers, Labradors are friendly, loyal, and intelligent dogs that make great emotional support animals.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: These dogs are known for their affectionate and loyal nature, making them well-suited for the role of an emotional support animal.

4. Poodle: Poodles are highly intelligent and easy to train, and they also have a hypoallergenic coat, which makes them a good choice for people with allergies.

5. Yorkshire Terrier: These small dogs are known for their loyalty and affection, and they can be easily trained to be an emotional support animal.

It is also important to choose a dog that has the right temperament for the role of an emotional support animal. Ideally, an emotional support dog should be calm, affectionate, and able to handle a variety of different situations without becoming anxious or agitated.

In addition to breed and temperament, it is also important to consider the dog's age, health, and previous training. A young, healthy dog that has not received any formal training may not be well-suited for the role of an emotional support animal. On the other hand, an older dog that has received basic obedience training may be a good candidate for the role.

Ultimately, the most important factor when selecting an emotional support dog is the bond between the dog and its owner. It is essential that the dog and owner have a strong connection and that the owner is able to provide the dog with the love, attention, and care it needs to thrive in the role of an emotional support animal.

It is also worth noting that not all dogs are suitable for the role of an emotional support animal. Dogs that are aggressive, fearful, or easily stressed may not be well-suited for the role, and it is important to be honest about the dog's temperament and abilities when considering it for the role of an emotional support animal.

Training Your Dog 

Once you have selected the right dog, it is time to begin training them to be an emotional support animal. The following steps are important in training your dog:

1. Basic obedience training

Basic obedience training is an essential foundation for any dog that is being trained to be an emotional support animal. This training is critical for establishing good behavior and communication between you and your dog. Basic obedience training includes teaching your dog commands such as "sit," "stay," "down," and "come." These commands are not only important for your dog's safety and well-being but also essential for establishing a strong bond between you and your dog.

2. Socialization

Socialization training is an essential aspect of preparing your dog to be an emotional support animal. It involves exposing your dog to different situations, people, and animals to teach them how to behave appropriately in social settings. Proper socialization helps your dog become comfortable and confident in new environments, reducing the risk of fear or anxiety-related behaviors.

3. Task training

Emotional support dogs may not require specific task training like psychiatric assistance dogs, but they should still be trained to provide comfort and support to their owners. These tasks can include cuddling, providing pressure therapy, and licking their owners' faces. However, each individual's needs may differ, so it is important to identify what tasks your emotional support dog can perform to help you cope with your mental health condition.

Some common emotional support dog tasks include:

- Providing comfort during panic attacks: Many people with mental health conditions experience panic attacks, which can be overwhelming and scary. Emotional support dogs can be trained to provide comfort during these episodes by lying close to their owners, licking their face or hands, or simply offering a calming presence.

- Reducing anxiety and stress: Dogs can help reduce anxiety and stress levels in their owners by providing companionship and offering a calming presence. Emotional support dogs can also be trained to perform tasks such as deep pressure therapy, where they lean against their owners, providing a calming and reassuring sensation.

- Reminding owners to take medication: For people with mental health conditions that require medication, an emotional support dog can be trained to remind their owners to take their medication at the appropriate times.

- Helping with daily tasks: Emotional support dogs can also be trained to assist with daily tasks such as getting dressed, opening doors, or picking up dropped items. This can be especially helpful for people with physical disabilities or conditions that affect their mobility.

- Providing a sense of security: Emotional support dogs can provide a sense of security and comfort to their owners, especially when in public or unfamiliar environments. They can also be trained to alert their owners of potential danger, such as a fire alarm or other emergency.

It is important to note that emotional support dogs are not service dogs and do not have the same legal rights and protections. However, with proper training, emotional support dogs can be an important part of a person's mental health treatment plan.

4. Public access training

Emotional support animals are not granted public access rights like assistance animals, but they may be allowed in certain public places if they are well-behaved and under control. It is important to train your dog to behave appropriately in public settings.

5. Health and grooming

Emotional support animals must be well-cared for and healthy. Regular grooming, veterinary care, and exercise are important to maintain their physical and mental well-being.

Registering Your Emotional Support Animal 

In the United Kingdom, there is no formal registration process for emotional support animals. However, it is important to have documentation from a mental health professional indicating that you require the support of an emotional support animal. This documentation may be requested in certain situations, such as housing or travel, to demonstrate that your dog is not just a pet, but rather a necessary part of your mental health care.

Finally, it is important to remember that emotional support animals are not assistance animals. Assistance animals are specially trained to perform tasks for their owners with disabilities. Emotional support animals provide comfort and companionship, but do not have special training or access rights that service animals enjoy. Understanding the differences between these two types of animals will help ensure that your dog is treated appropriately. 

We hope this information has been helpful in understanding the requirements for having an emotional support animal. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us! We are here to help.