How to Train a Psychiatric Service Dog

Training a psychiatric service dog is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also be quite daunting. It is important to start with basic obedience training and gradually add additional skills as the dog's capability increases. Building a solid foundation of responses to basic commands such as 'sit', 'stay' and 'come' will ensure that behaviors can be effectively managed before introducing more complex tasks such as recognizing anxiety cues or providing tactile stimulation when needed. Positive reinforcement techniques should be used throughout training, and it should be done in an environment that the animal feels comfortable in. Additionally, providing practice sessions through everyday scenarios can help reinforce learned behaviors and build trust between handler and animals. Working this way takes time, patience, consistent reinforcement, but provides a lifetime of support for both the handler and pet.