ONLINE COURSE · LEVEL 2
Deep Pressure Therapy training course
Teach your dog to apply calming pressure on cue — lying across your lap or chest during anxiety, panic or sensory overload.
- TaskDeep pressure therapy on cue
- Lessons4 · about 55 minutes
- Practiceabout 4 weeks
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Deep pressure therapy (DPT) is one of the most common tasks for psychiatric service dogs. On cue, the dog climbs onto your lap or chest and rests their weight on you, which many handlers find calming during anxiety, panic or sensory overload.
In this course you’ll build the task in small steps: paws up, full body on the lap, holding the position, and finally using it in real moments. Your dog should already have a reliable settle before you start.
Safety: choose a position that suits your dog’s size and your body. A large dog on the chest can restrict breathing. Always keep a release cue so your dog gets off right away when asked.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Lesson by lesson
-
1
10 min
Paws up: front feet on your lap
Your dog puts both front paws on your lap on cue, 8 out of 10 times.
-
2
15 min
Full body across your lap
Your dog lies across your lap with their chest and front legs on you for 10 seconds.
-
3
15 min
Holding the pressure
Your dog holds the position for 2 minutes and releases on cue.
-
4
15 min
Using the task in real life
Your dog performs the task on cue in 3 different places and at different times of day.
You'll log at least 8 practice sessions before signing your record.
WHO IT'S FOR
Handlers with anxiety, panic, PTSD or sensory processing challenges who find pressure calming. Works for most dogs over about 20 lb that already settle well on a mat or couch.
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
Is my dog big enough?
Dogs from about 20 lb up can do lap pressure. Smaller dogs can do a chest or shoulder lean instead; the course shows options.
Can I train it while I'm anxious?
Train it when you're calm first. Once it's solid, you'll start using it in real moments.
Will my dog do it on its own?
That's an advanced step. This course teaches it on cue; you can add a trigger later.
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
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.
Level 2
Anxiety Interruption
Task: Interrupts anxiety behaviors with a nudge or paw
Teach your dog to interrupt anxious behaviors like leg bouncing, skin picking or hand wringing with a nudge or paw.
Start Deep Pressure Therapy today
Self-paced lessons, a practice log and a signed training record when you finish.