Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) is an invaluable technique for individuals training service dogs, whether for personal use or for a child. This therapy is beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety and panic disorders, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, arthritis and chronic pain, and seizure disorders. While some dogs may naturally offer comfort by resting on their owner, not all dogs are inclined to be lap dogs, and not all can be relied upon to provide this specific form of support, especially in public settings. Fortunately, with consistent training, even dogs that aren’t naturally cuddly can be taught to provide DPT. This article outlines five key tips to help you train your service dog or emotional support dog (ESA) to offer DPT in various situations.
The “Slow Is Fast” Approach to Foundation Training
The most effective training method is “errorless learning,” where training is structured to be so easy that the dog rarely makes mistakes. While perfect errorless learning is challenging to achieve in practice, the goal is to set your dog up for success by adding new steps incrementally, only once the dog has consistently mastered the current level. This might mean spending a longer time on a foundational skill, but this patient approach mirrors how professionals train dogs. For instance, before training a dog to lie on its handler for extended periods, it’s crucial to ensure the dog is comfortable lying on various unusual surfaces and can reliably stay on a target for longer than required for DPT. This meticulous foundation building provides the dog with a wealth of successful experiences, leading to fewer misunderstandings and a more reliable behavior in the long run. As the saying goes, “Slow is fast!”
Mastering the “Settle on a Mat” Behavior
A common question arises: “Why teach my dog to lie on a mat when I want them to lie on me?” The answer lies in communication. If your dog already understands how to lie down on a designated target, you can easily transfer this understanding to lying on you by simply changing the location of the target. For DPT, it’s best to use a small, portable item like a hand towel as the initial “settle” target. This towel acts as a clear communication tool, signaling to your dog where to relax. Teaching a “lie down on me” behavior becomes significantly easier when your dog already has an established method for lying down on command. This is particularly useful if your dog has previously been taught that putting paws on people is undesirable, as the mat serves as a bridge to clearly convey your DPT request.
Conditioning to Unstable Surfaces
Our bodies are not perfectly stable; we may shift, tremble, or experience movements, especially during a medical episode. This inherent instability means that an effective DPT behavior must be maintained even when the handler is moving or uneven. To ensure your dog can provide DPT reliably, they must be comfortable remaining in position on an uneven and dynamic surface. Begin by building your dog’s confidence with unstable surfaces such as inflatable exercise equipment, piles of blankets, or wobbly platforms. Initially, reward any interaction with these items, then progress to rewarding them for stepping onto them. Once your dog is comfortable on these surfaces, you can ask for basic behaviors like sits and downs.
Gradually Building Duration
Similar to training duration for other canine behaviors, building duration for DPT involves gradually increasing the time your dog can maintain their position. Once your dog is consistently performing the desired behavior, begin to delay your marker signal by a few seconds, then vary the intervals. Aim for an upward trend but incorporate random variations to keep the training engaging. Offer your dog easy successes alongside more challenging ones to build their capacity. If your dog breaks their position, note the duration at which it occurred and work below that threshold, gradually building back up.
The Importance of a Clear “Release” Cue
A surprising reason many service dogs struggle with reliable “stays” is the lack of a clear “release” cue. For a dog to reliably hold a behavior, they need to understand both the cue that initiates the behavior (e.g., “Down,” “Settle”) and the cue that signifies its end. If a dog releases itself from a behavior, it might be due to interpreting other cues as signals to stop, such as receiving a treat, the handler looking away, or movement. It is crucial to train your dog on their release cue as a distinct behavior before implementing duration training for sits, downs, or DPT. A cued release clearly communicates to your dog when they are finished, preventing them from self-releasing. This is another area where the “slow is fast” principle is highly applicable, as building duration requires time, but a strong history of holding behaviors until released will lead to greater success in the future.
Advancing DPT Skills
Once your dog reliably performs DPT on cue and maintains it until released, you can explore further refinements. For situations requiring subtler forms of DPT, consider training behaviors like chin rests (where the dog rests its chin on your hand, leg, or foot) or kisses (licking your face or hand). [cite:0, cite:1] These can be combined with full DPT or trained as separate skills.
Addressing Distractions and Generalization
The next critical steps involve distraction and generalization. In real-world scenarios, your service dog may need to perform DPT in highly distracting environments. This could involve onlookers, busy parks, or the presence of other dogs. Training in these distracting settings requires a gradual approach, starting with low-level distractions and slowly increasing their intensity. Consider introducing mild distractions like an interesting object across the room or a quiet recording of dog sounds. As your dog succeeds, incrementally bring the distraction closer or increase its volume.
Generalization involves practicing the DPT behavior in various locations: different rooms at home, the yard, parking lots, familiar and unfamiliar parks, stores, and public transport. When introducing a new environment, revert to an easier training level. For example, if your dog can hold a two-minute DPT on cue at home, start with a shorter duration and a physical cue in a new location like a coffee shop, gradually building back up as the dog demonstrates success. Our Dogs In Service Certification (DISC) courses are specifically designed to equip handlers with the skills to apply these training concepts effectively.
Seeking Support for Reliable DPT Training
If you require additional assistance in training your service dog for a reliable, duration-based DPT behavior, our online Deep Pressure Therapy class is an excellent resource. This live online class, conducted via Zoom, offers personalized coaching from experienced service dog trainers in small group settings. The curriculum also covers “kisses,” chin rests, and the initial stages of symptom-cued behaviors. Participants receive comprehensive written homework instructions, video recordings of each session, and benefit from observing and learning from other service dog teams. You can learn more about the Deep Pressure Therapy class and register here.
Here’s what participants have shared about our online classes:
“Comprehensive and Affordable. Before class, I was overwhelmed and discouraged by all the things my dog needed to learn. I didn’t know how to go about structuring a program that would be the right pace for him. The instructors are knowledgeable and experienced, but also patient and kind. The small class size allows for plenty of individual attention. The live Zoom format was almost like being in a group class, but without all the distractions of the other dogs. I learned a lot from watching coaching and discussions with the other members of the class. It was a lot more personalized than the online self-study programs.” — AT & Zephyr, New Hampshire
“My favorite part was the coaching while we were trying the tasks with our dogs. Even when we were watching others being coached, it helped. I also really appreciate the thoroughness of the materials we got after class. I read through and watched all assigned tip sheets and videos. It was very helpful. I appreciate being able to go back and review and understand each lesson.” — Kate & Joy, Massachusetts
