ONLINE COURSE · LEVEL 2
Grounding: Chin Rest & Lean training course
Teach your dog two calm grounding tasks: a chin rest on your lap and a lean against your legs.
- TaskGrounding: chin rest and lean on cue
- Lessons4 · about 55 minutes
- Practiceabout 4 weeks
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Grounding tasks give you something physical and calm to focus on. In this course your dog learns two: a chin rest on your lap or knee, and a lean against your legs when you’re standing. Both work well for smaller dogs and in public places where deep pressure isn’t practical.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Lesson by lesson
-
1
10 min
Chin rest on your hand
Your dog rests their chin in your open hand for 5 seconds.
-
2
15 min
Chin rest on your lap
Your dog rests their chin on your knee or lap for 1 minute while you sit.
-
3
15 min
The lean
Your dog leans their body against your legs for 30 seconds while you stand.
-
4
15 min
Grounding in real moments
Your dog performs chin rest or lean on cue in 3 places, including one in public.
You'll log at least 8 practice sessions before signing your record.
WHO IT'S FOR
Handlers with anxiety, panic, dissociation or PTSD who want a discreet task that works sitting or standing, in public or at home. Good for dogs of any size.
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
How is this different from deep pressure?
It's lighter and works anywhere: sitting at a table, standing in a line, or in a small space.
Can small dogs lean?
Yes. Small dogs can lean against your ankle or rest their chin on your foot.
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 Grounding: Chin Rest & Lean today
Self-paced lessons, a practice log and a signed training record when you finish.