ONLINE COURSE · LEVEL 2
Anxiety Interruption training course
Teach your dog to spot an anxious habit — leg bouncing, skin picking, hand wringing — and interrupt it with a nudge or paw.
- TaskInterrupts anxiety behaviors with a nudge or paw
- Lessons4 · about 65 minutes
- Practiceabout 5 weeks
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Anxiety interruption means your dog notices a specific behavior you do when you’re anxious, such as bouncing a leg, picking at skin, scratching or wringing your hands, and interrupts it with a nose nudge or a paw. The interruption helps bring your attention back to the moment.
You’ll teach the nudge, attach it to a behavior you choose, and practise until your dog responds when they see it.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Lesson by lesson
-
1
10 min
Teach a nose nudge
Your dog touches your hand with their nose on cue, 9 out of 10 times.
-
2
15 min
Nudge the moving leg or hands
Your dog nudges your bouncing leg or moving hands when cued.
-
3
20 min
The behavior becomes the cue
Your dog nudges you when you start the behavior, without a spoken cue, 7 out of 10 times.
-
4
20 min
Real moments and new places
Your dog interrupts the behavior in 3 different places, including one outside the home.
You'll log at least 10 practice sessions before signing your record.
WHO IT'S FOR
Handlers with anxiety, PTSD, OCD or other conditions with a visible repetitive behavior that shows up when stress builds. Your dog should know the Foundations skills.
WHAT YOU GET
Proof of your work, wherever you go
Certificate of completion
With your dog's photo, your signature, the task trained and a QR code. Print it yourself or have us mail a printed copy.
Public training record
A page anyone can scan: the course, the task, your practice history and your signed declaration.
Wallet card
Your Training Record in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet — it updates itself when you refresh.
On your verification page
Registered with USAR? Your dog's verification page shows that you completed USAR training.
What you finish with
- A dog trained on a real task, step by step
- A practice log with optional video — the story of your work
- A signed training record with its own page and QR code
- A certificate of completion and a Wallet card
Where it helps
- Answering "what task does your dog do?" with confidence
- Showing a landlord or business your training history
- Keeping skills sharp with a yearly refresh
- Working alongside a local trainer if you use one
Handler-led training completed through a USAR online course and confirmed by the handler's signed declaration. Not observed in person by USAR.
FAQ
Questions handlers ask
Which behavior should I choose?
Pick one that's visible and happens in real anxious moments, like leg bouncing or hand wringing. You can add more later.
Will my dog nudge me all the time?
No. The dog is rewarded for nudging only when the behavior happens, and you reward calm the rest of the time.
What kind of certificate do I get?
A certificate of course completion for the task training you did with your dog — with your dog's photo, your signature and a QR code to your training record. The ADA doesn't require any certification for a service dog; what matters is that your dog is trained to do tasks for you, and that's exactly what the courses teach.
Can I train my own service dog?
Yes. Under the ADA, handlers may train their own service dog. What matters is that the dog is individually trained to perform tasks related to your disability and behaves appropriately in public. Our courses give you a structured plan for the task training part.
How long does a course take?
Most courses take a few weeks of short daily practice. Each course shows its lessons and the typical number of weeks. You go at your own pace — lessons stay open, and your practice log keeps track of your progress.
What do I get when I finish?
A signed training record with its own public page and QR code, and a certificate of course completion with your dog's photo and your signature. Members also get a Training ID card for Apple Wallet or Google Wallet; with a single course it's an optional add-on.
How does the membership work?
One payment ($79) gives you every course and level for a year, new courses as they come out, the Wallet card and the yearly refresh. It does not renew on its own. Before the year ends we email you: keep it going for $29.99/year if you want, or let it end.
MORE COURSES
Other tasks you can train
Level 1
Service Dog Foundations
Task: Foundation skills: focus on handler, settle on a mat, loose-leash walking and calm public manners
The core skills every working dog needs before task training: focus, a solid settle, loose-leash walking and calm public manners.
Level 2
Deep Pressure Therapy
Task: Deep pressure therapy on cue
Teach your dog to lie across your lap or chest on cue and apply calming pressure during anxiety or sensory overload.
Level 2
Medication Retrieval
Task: Retrieves medication pouch on cue
Teach your dog to find and bring a medication pouch to you on cue, from another room.
Start Anxiety Interruption today
Self-paced lessons, a practice log and a signed training record when you finish.