recklessgod wrote:So I am in need of an emotional support dog, probably just for around the house or large events (I have PTSD, I'll be going to a therapist soon and I do understand that your supposed to have a note from your therapist to have an ESD.) I just don't know what breed would be best for me, or what breeds would make good support dogs.
Have you had dogs before? What breeds? I have had a Pomeranian, a yorkie, a hound dog, a Weiner dog, and a boxer/pit mix.
Are there any breeds that have already caught your eye? If so, why? Boxers and pits, the ones I had were very sweet and I know when trained properly they're good dogs.
How much time a day do you have to devote to training your dog? It really depends on the day, some days I work and I'm in school from 7:45 to 12:48. But I do have someone who has offered to help me train my new puppy.
What kind of grooming needs are you prepared to handle? I'd prefer something with short hair, but medium length fur is okay too.
What kind of energy level are you looking for? I'd love a dog that would be happy to go places with me, long walks and going swimming or just outside to sit down. I'm more active when it's warm than when it's cold.
What do you plan on doing with your dog? Like i said, they'll be a type of service dog, they'll also be around younger children.
What size dog are you wanting? Small to medium, nothing huge, preferably. No more than maybe 60 pounds.
What age dog are you looking for? Puppy, preferably, so I can train them myself.
What kind of livestyle do you live? (Active, couch potato etc) I'm a moderately active person, it really depends on the weather though cause i get cold very easily.
Anyway, thank you for any help I get, please PM me if you have any advice!
First of all please educate about what rights you as a Emotional Support Dog handler have. You do not have the full access rights that a Service Dog handler would have. Meaning that you are not legally allowed (at least in the US) to have your ESA accompany you into most places that are not pet friendly. So if the "large event" you want to go to does not allow dogs you have no right to bring your ESA with you. Your ESA cannot visit you in the hospital, etc. You do need a doctors note for a ESA. You are legally allowed to have your ESA in housing that otherwise does not allow pets, and you are allowed to take your dog with you in the cabin when you travel via airplane. That's it, you don't have the legal right to bring your ESA into McDonalds, the bank, the fairgrounds, or other public places where dogs are not allowed. Please do not pretend otherwise as it harms other Service Dog handlers and is illegal. Passing your ESA off as a SD when it is not is a federal crime. It only confuses the issue of public access in both businesses and the public's mind and makes it more difficult for SD handlers.
If you require a Service Dog (that performs work and/or specific tasks) then you must be legally disabled. Your dog must be more highly trained (I recommend working with a professional who has experience training SDs) then an ESA (which doesn't require any special training though I advise basic obedience) A SD handler has the right to take their SD with them in public places but the dog must be under the handler's control. For example if you are in the hospital your SD is allowed to be in your room with you but the staff is not required to help you take your dog out to potty if you cannot.
And regardless both ESAs and SDs must be reasonably well behaved in public (no nuisance barking, aggression, eliminating indoors) and clean (no visible fleas, etc.) Otherwise businesses have the legal right to require the handler to remove the dog even if it is a legitimate ESA or SD though they must be willing to serve the handler without the dog.
I don't mean to harp or sound rude, but you need to decide what you really require, an ESA or a SD. That may change what kind of dog is best suited for you. Any breed or mix can make a good ESA and really most any dog you get will be fine as long as it is controllable. Most breeds and mixes can make good SD but the requirements for each job are different and need to be taken into account. But to be clear ESAs are
not a type of SD. I recommend you educate yourself better on what the laws are where you live and which type of dog is best for you before you start looking into breeds. Your doctor can likely help you with this.
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