ONLINE COURSE · LEVEL 2
Nightmare Interruption training course
Teach your dog to notice a nightmare and wake you gently with a nudge or lick.
- TaskWakes handler during nightmares by nudging and licking
- Lessons4 · about 70 minutes
- Practiceabout 6 weeks
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Nightmare interruption means your dog notices signs of a bad dream, such as thrashing, crying out or fast breathing, and wakes you by nudging, licking or climbing onto the bed. It’s a common task for handlers with PTSD.
You’ll teach the waking behavior first, attach it to a recorded sound or movement you choose, and then rehearse it at night. Your dog should know the Foundations skills and be comfortable on your bed.
Safety: the task must be gentle. Always reward calm, soft waking, never pawing hard at your face.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Lesson by lesson
-
1
15 min
The nudge-and-lick wake
Your dog nudges your hand or face on cue while you lie down, 9 out of 10 times.
-
2
15 min
Up on the bed
From the floor, your dog jumps up and nudges you on cue.
-
3
20 min
Your signs become the cue
Your dog wakes you when you rehearse your nightmare signs, without a spoken cue, 7 out of 10 times.
-
4
20 min
Rehearse at night
Your dog wakes you during 3 night-time rehearsals over a week.
You'll log at least 12 practice sessions before signing your record.
WHO IT'S FOR
Handlers with PTSD or frequent nightmares who want to be woken gently. Your dog should sleep in or near your bed.
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 does my dog know I'm having a nightmare?
You'll rehearse the signs you show, like thrashing or crying out, until your dog links them to the waking task.
What if my dog wakes me every night?
Only rehearsed signs are rewarded. Ignore random waking and reward your dog for settling.
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 Nightmare Interruption today
Self-paced lessons, a practice log and a signed training record when you finish.