Archive for the ‘Service Dog’ Category
Training a service dog to lick you might seem unusual, but it’s a practical skill that can offer significant benefits, particularly for those with physical or psychiatric conditions. Service dogs and psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) are trained to help their handlers in many ways, and licking is a behavior that can be surprisingly helpful. This article will explain why training a dog to lick can be a valuable service dog task, how it benefits both physical and mental health, and provide clear, actionable steps for training.
Why Train Your Service Dog to Lick You?Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that help their handlers with the various disabilities that qualify under the ADA. While most people think of tasks like guiding or retrieving objects, licking is another behavior that can play a critical role in supporting their handler. Here’s why:
Interrupting Harmful Behaviors: Many people with anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may engage in repetitive or harmful behaviors like skin-picking, hair-pulling, or self-harm. A dog trained to lick its handler’s hands or face can interrupt these behaviors, providing a gentle, non-judgmental reminder to stop. Providing Grounding During Panic Attacks: Panic attacks can be overwhelming and disorienting. When a service dog licks its handler, it provides a tactile sensation that can help bring them back to the present moment. This action, often combined with deep pressure therapy (like the dog leaning against the handler), helps to calm the nervous system and reduce the intensity of the panic attack. Offering Emotional Comfort: A dog’s lick can feel like a warm, comforting gesture. Scientific studies have shown that when a dog licks its owner, oxytocin (a hormone that promotes bonding and reduces stress) is released in both the dog and the person. For someone dealing with depression, this simple interaction can provide a brief but meaningful boost in mood and create a sense of connection and comfort. Alerting to Medical Conditions: For individuals with conditions like diabetes or epilepsy, service dogs can be trained to detect changes in body chemistry, such as a drop in blood sugar levels or the onset of a seizure. A trained lick can serve as an alert, giving the handler a chance to take necessary action before the situation escalates. For example, the lick might wake someone from a state of low blood sugar or alert a bystander to help during a medical emergency. How Licking Can Benefit HealthTraining a dog to lick is not just about convenience or novelty—it can have profound health benefits. Here are some ways licking can help:
Triggers Positive Hormonal Responses: The sensation of a dog’s lick may trigger a release of endorphins, natural chemicals in the brain that act as painkillers and mood elevators. This effect can be particularly useful during moments of stress, anxiety, or depression. Promotes Mindfulness and Awareness: For people who experience dissociation or have trouble staying present, a dog’s lick can help re-establish a connection to their physical surroundings. This simple sensation can bring awareness back to the body, helping the person stay grounded in the moment. Encourages Social Interaction: Licking often makes people smile, laugh, or engage more openly. This reaction can be incredibly beneficial for people who have social anxiety or find it challenging to communicate. The dog’s action can act as an icebreaker, helping to initiate conversations and reduce feelings of isolation. Enhances Focus and Concentration: In therapeutic settings, a dog’s lick can serve as a mild distraction, redirecting the handler’s attention back to the present task. For someone experiencing an anxiety attack or moment of overwhelming emotion, the lick can act as a reset, helping them to regain focus. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Train Your Service Dog to Lick YouTraining your service dog to lick on command is a straightforward process that relies on patience, positive reinforcement, and clear communication. Here’s how to do it:
Identify a High-Value Reward:Choose something your dog loves, whether it’s a specific treat, a favorite toy, or enthusiastic praise. Use this as a reward during the training to motivate your dog. Establish Basic Commands:Ensure your dog is comfortable with basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” A strong foundation in obedience will make it easier for your dog to learn new tasks like licking. Introduce the Lick Command: Start by placing a small amount of dog-safe food (like peanut butter or plain yogurt) on your hand or cheek. Encourage your dog to lick the area using a cue word like “lick” or “kiss.” Immediately reward your dog with a treat, praise, or toy to reinforce the behavior. Practice Regularly:Repeat this process multiple times throughout the day in short sessions. Keep each session fun and positive to maintain your dog’s interest and enthusiasm. Gradually Phase Out the Treats:Slowly reduce the amount of food used to encourage licking. Continue using the command word and rewarding your dog when they lick without needing the food stimulus. Generalize the Behavior Across Different Settings:Practice the licking command in various environments — sitting, standing, indoors, and outdoors. This helps your dog understand that the command applies in all situations, not just during specific training times. Introduce a Release Command:Teach a release word like “enough” or “all done” to signal your dog when to stop licking. This helps maintain control over the behavior and prevents excessive licking, which could become problematic. Use Real-Life Scenarios:Gradually incorporate the command into real-life situations where you might need your dog to lick, such as during moments of anxiety, after an alert for a medical condition, or when you need to interrupt an unwanted behavior.Share this image on your site (copy code below): <div style="clear:both"><a href="https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/service-dog-licking/" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" style="max-width:100%;margin:0 0 10px;" src="https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/how-to-train-your-service-dog-to-lick-you.jpg" title="How to Train Your Service Dog to Lick You" alt="A step-by-step guide on training your dog to lick you" border="0" data-src="" /></a></div> Copy
Examples of Licking as a Service Dog Task Example 1: Sarah, a veteran with PTSD, finds herself overwhelmed at a crowded grocery store. She uses the “lick” command, and her dog licks her hand, bringing her focus back to the present moment and helping her manage her anxiety. Example 2: John, who has diabetes, starts to feel lightheaded while out on a walk. His service dog, trained to detect changes in his scent that indicate low blood sugar, licks his face to alert him to check his glucose levels immediately. Example 3: Maria, who suffers from depression, feels disconnected and numb. Her service dog notices her distress and starts licking her face. The unexpected sensation brings her back to the present and lifts her spirits.Training your service dog to lick you is more than just an interesting trick — it can be a powerful tool for managing mental health, medical conditions, and social interactions. By providing comfort, grounding, and physical alerts, a well-trained dog can make a significant difference in daily life. With patience and consistency, you can teach your service dog this valuable task, giving you a new way to connect and support one another.
Service dogs can be trained to remind you when to take medication, perform a scheduled task to keep you moving forward, or other time-sensitive functions. Since they cannot read time like humans, how does their “internal clock” know when you need to do something? That’s where their “superpowers” come into play.
In short, the answer is below, but keep reading to learn the science behind their ability to tell time and how the training works.
A service dog’s internal clock is able to tell time not by reading a clock but instead by using olfactory and auditory signals. A person or object gives off these signals, which let the dogs know when it is time to take medication, how to locate a person when their owner falls sick, when a caretaker is arriving, or perform other tasks and duties on schedule. Your service dog’s clock is powered by their olfactory and auditory senses combined with associative learning.
Medication Reminders, Detecting Mental Health Issues and SicknessA dog knows when it is time for you to take your medication through its olfactory system (sense of smell), as it can detect when your body has lower levels running through it, including faint odor molecules. The scents they detect may include metabolic shifts and sweat. This is a bit different from knowing when you’re sick or might be getting sick in that your body language will change in addition to secreting a different scent, like sweat.
For example, this study shows that some dogs can detect when a person with hypoglycemia (T1D) is running low. This study, with only a few dogs, shows about a 50% accuracy in dogs trained on sweat samples, but it was inconclusive. Many other studies and medical professionals say otherwise, like this article from WebMD.
To train for medical issues like diabetes, seizures, and others, dogs are given swabs with healthy and unhealthy smells. The swabs can contain saliva, sweat, and other human secretions. When the dog is presented with “unhealthy” smells, they’re trained to perform a task like fetching your pill box or rubbing against you to let you know you’re running low.
Dogs can sense changes in a human’s body and can be trained as service dogs to take action based on those changes. When a Caretaker is ArrivingIf you have a nurse, therapist, or other person who comes to assist you at scheduled times, your dog does not know that they are on the clock. Instead, they can use their auditory systems (sense of sound) to remember specific noises like a larger or smaller car, specific key chains clanking, and noises associated with the person.
Even if the person is across the street, a dog’s ears can pick up on it. Combined with memories or thoughts like being told they’re a “good boy or girl” with pets or “given treats,” it can trigger them to get excited as something positive is coming.
Dr. Susan Hazel of the University of Adelaide School of Veterinary Medicine shares that dogs can hear some noises, especially at higher frequencies, up to 1 kilometer away through their 12 ear muscles, which can be moved independently. Humans can hear roughly 20,000 Hz, and dogs can hear up to 45,000 Hz.
There are multiple ways to train a service dog on sounds. If the human gets hurt or needs help, the service dog can be trained to find specific people who can assist. Other times, the dog could detect there will be a guest so the human can prepare for a visitor, whether it is a caretaker or a surprise visit from a friend. This is especially helpful for a person who suffers from anxiety and agoraphobia and needs the heads-up.
Time for a Daily Task or Scheduled RoutineThis is where things get interesting. We all know about dogs’ heightened senses of smell and hearing, but dogs also have Circadian Rhythms, just like humans. These internal clocks respond to the amount of light, temperature, and other external stimuli that make us respond to natural instincts.
Your dog’s circadian rhythms can combine with their senses and associative learning to have their own routine based on your routine. They may also develop a behavior pattern based on yours, and as your circadian rhythms change, theirs do, too. This is how service dogs will begin training to help you do daily tasks on time, even though they have no actual sense of time as we humans do.
Your dog may hear your alarm clock or coffee pot start if it is on a timer and associate that with it being time for your medication. Once they have this behavior, you can add training to retrieve your pill box.
The same goes for hearing specific sounds. For example, if you make a smoothie before work, your dog will know it is time to help you prepare as you’re about to leave. If heading to work typically causes anxiety or OCD issues, and your psychiatric service dog is trained to help you through stressful situations, you can use your morning routine to help them be ready to perform a necessary service.
Dogs cannot tell time like humans, but biologically, they do have a concept of time. They also have learned behaviors and associations that work hand-in-hand with their senses. By knowing how these work, trainers can help dogs learn specific behaviors so they can become valuable service dogs.
If you suspect someone is lying about having a service dog, there are ways to tell whether the person is being truthful or not without violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. You can separate real service dogs from fake ones by knowing a few rules, observing the dog’s behavior, and questioning the owner.
In this guide, our ADA experts will teach you how to spot a fake service dog while avoiding trouble for infringing on service dog owner rights.
Behaviors that Indicate a False Service Dog Handler Actions that Indicate a False Service Dog Common Mistakes in Identifying Fake Service Dogs Emotional Support Animals versus Service Dogs Penalties for Pretending to Have a Service Dog Behaviors that Indicate a False Service DogA service dog needs special training to perform a task related to the handler’s disability. Service dogs also have to be trained to behave in public settings (sometimes even passing a public access test). A venue can request that a service dog leave the premises if it is acting aggressively or causing property damage.
Here are some behaviors to look for if you think a service dog is not real:
1. Lack of Focus and AttentivenessA legitimate service dog should maintain constant awareness of their handler and respond quickly to commands or changes in the handler’s condition. Non-service dogs may appear distracted, unfocused, or overly interested in their surroundings rather than their handler. Keep in mind, though, that service dogs, like normal dogs, are sometimes set free for playtime.
2. Poor Leash MannersService dogs should be able to calmly walk beside their handler, typically on a loose leash without pulling. If the dog is pulling on the leash, zigzagging, or struggling to maintain a consistent walking pace with their handler, it may not be properly trained.
3. Inappropriate VocalizationsMost service dogs remain quiet unless performing a specific task that requires barking (like alerting a blind individual to danger). If the dog frequently barks, growls, whines, or makes other noises without any apparent purpose, that should raise your suspicions.
4. Inappropriate Behavior in Public SpacesService dogs are trained to be calm and composed in various environments, including crowded or noisy places. Non-service dogs might show signs of stress, aggression, or fear in public settings, such as growling, excessive panting, or attempting to hide.
5. Poor Impulse ControlService dogs can resist temptations like food on the ground, other animals, or interesting smells when they are on duty. If you see that the handler cannot control their dog from lunging for food, becoming overly excited by scents, or trying to interact with other animals, it might not be a service dog.
6. Lack of Basic ObedienceA minimum requirement for service dogs is the ability to respond promptly to basic commands like sit, stay, and come. If you see a dog that ignores basic commands, it may not be a service dog.
7. Overprotective or Aggressive BehaviorService dogs are trained for public access. That means remaining neutral towards other people and animals unless performing a specific protective task. Service dogs should never display overprotective behaviors, growl at strangers, or show aggression toward other animals or people.
Note that, in all these instances, small misbehaviors are not enough to say if someone’s service dog is fake. For example, pulling slightly at the leash, getting excited, or becoming slightly distracted is normal, even for a service dog. After all, service dogs are still dogs, and, like their human companions, they are not 100% perfect.
You should try to observe the service dog’s complete behavior and interactions with the owner. Under ADA guidelines, for a venue to dismiss a service dog, the dog has to pose a threat to safety or health or be out of control.
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Handler Actions that Indicate a False Service DogAs a venue staff member, a landlord, or an airline agent, you’re allowed to ask two questions under the ADA to verify if someone has a service dog: 1. Is the dog a service dog required for a disability? and 2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
These are the ONLY questions that can be asked to confirm someone has a service dog. If they can’t answer both questions, you have the right not to let the dog enter. Keep in mind that you can’t ask specific questions about a person’s disability or ask the dog to demonstrate its task.
Even if the handler shows you a service dog ID card, certificate, tag, or vest, you can still rely on the two questions. Service dog owners use these items to signal that their dog is a service animal, but they don’t exempt them from having to answer the ADA verification questions.
Some people wonder why they can’t ask more specific questions. Others have proposed that service dog ID cards and registrations become mandatory. The reason is that service dog laws have to respect the privacy of service dog owners and should not burden them with obstacles.
The vast majority of dog owners act ethically and do not pass their dogs off as service dogs. It would be unjust to punish service dog handlers by subjecting them to probing questions or documentation requirements just because of a few bad apples.
Common Mistakes in Identifying Fake Service DogsThese are NOT reasons to assume a service dog is fake:
When the dog is small: Not all service dogs are Golden Retrievers, Labradors, or German Shepherds! Service dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, smaller service dogs are better suited to the owner’s lifestyle. For example, a lap dog can be perfect for someone who needs a psychiatric service dog but lives in a small apartment. When the person doesn’t have an obvious disability: Never assume a service dog is fake because the handler doesn’t “look” disabled. Many serious disabilities are not visible, especially psychiatric conditions. When the service dog has no vest, ID card, or tags: Most service dogs wear vests, tags, and ID cards so others can easily spot them. But they are not mandatory! You should never assume a service dog is fake just because they lack these items. When there is more than one dog: Some people think owners with two service dogs are faking it, but the ADA recognizes people who need more than one dog. It is not uncommon for someone to have one dog trained for one need and another trained for a separate health issue. When the dog is a mixed breed: Service dogs are not just pure breeds. Shelter and rescue dogs also serve as capable service dogs. Under the ADA, there are no breed limitations when it comes to service dogs. Despite the dog’s apperance, a service dog can come in shapes and sizes that might look suspicious to others. Emotional Support Dogs Pretending to be Service DogsIt’s not entirely accurate to call emotional support animals “fake service dogs”. ESAs are also legally recognized assistance animals that help people with mental health disabilities. There is certainly nothing fake about their importance to people with mental illness.
However, if a person comes into a store or other venue like an airport claiming they are not subject to no-pet rules because they have an emotional support dog — they are wrong. ESAs only have housing rights. Emotional support animals are not the same as service dogs and do not have the same rights under the ADA.
Many people make the honest mistake of not realizing the legal differences between emotional support animals and service dogs. If someone tries to bring their ESA into a no-pets zone, you can gently inform them that while your establishment gladly welcomes service dogs, emotional support animals are not the same thing.
Penalties for Pretending to Have a Service DogMany states have taken the initiative to create laws that address service dog fraud. These laws should further discourage people from pretending that their pet is a service dog. Here are some examples of state laws and their penalties:
California Penal Code 365.7: Knowingly and fraudulently representing a dog as a service dog is classified as a misdemeanor Florida Statute 413.08(9): Misrepresenting an animal as a service animal is a second-degree misdemeanor Texas Human Resources Code, Title 8, Chapter 121.006: Intentionally or knowingly representing that an animal is a service animal when the animal is not specially trained or equipped to help a person with a disability is a misdemeanor. Washington RCW 49.60.214: Misrepresenting an animal as a service animal is a civil infraction. Balancing Awareness with RespectWhile it’s important to be aware of potential fake service dogs, it’s equally important to approach the situation with sensitivity and respect. Remember:
Not all disabilities are visible. Service dogs can be trained for a wide variety of tasks and disabilities. The ADA limits the questions that can be asked about a service animal. Focus on the dog’s behavior rather than making assumptions about the handler.By understanding the behavioral indicators and legal rules surrounding service dogs we can better support those who genuinely need these amazing assistants while discouraging fraudulent misrepresentation.
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