Check for allergies, skin irritation, fleas, or injuries
Keep paws clean and dry after walks
Wipe paws with a damp cloth or pet-safe wipe
Trim hair between...
Understand that there is no official government certification for an emotional support dog
Determine whether you have a qualifying mental or emotional disability
Consult a licensed...
Get your dog evaluated by a licensed mental health professional if you need an emotional support animal letter
Ask a licensed therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or...
Ask a licensed mental health professional whether you qualify for an emotional support animal
Obtain a valid ESA letter from that professional if approved
Make sure...
Determine whether your dog can perform specific tasks that directly mitigate a disability
Consult a licensed healthcare professional about whether a service animal is appropriate...
Relaxed body posture
Loose, wagging tail
Soft eyes
Ears in a natural position
Playful behavior
Willingness to engage with you
Normal appetite
Good sleep patterns
Healthy energy levels
Curious and alert behavior
Comfortable around...
Itching, scratching, or licking more than usual
Chewing paws or rubbing the face
Red, inflamed, or irritated skin
Recurrent ear infections or ear scratching
Hair loss or thinning...
Use a veterinarian-recommended flea preventive year-round
Give flea medication exactly as directed
Treat all pets in the home at the same time
Wash your dog’s bedding regularly...
Identify the cause of the barking
Remove or reduce triggers when possible
Provide enough exercise and playtime
Use consistent training commands
Reward quiet behavior immediately
Avoid reinforcing barking with...
Identify the cause of the barking
Remove or reduce triggers
Provide regular exercise
Increase mental stimulation
Teach the “quiet” command
Reward calm behavior
Avoid yelling at the dog
Ignore attention-seeking barking
Use...
Brush the coat regularly to remove dead skin and distribute natural oils
Bathe only as needed using a gentle dog shampoo
Use a moisturizing dog conditioner...
Sudden collapse or loss of consciousness
Stiffening of the body
Jerking or paddling movements of the legs
Twitching of the face or muscles
Uncontrollable drooling or foaming at...
Bumping into furniture, walls, or doorways
Hesitating before jumping on or off furniture
Becoming more cautious on stairs or in unfamiliar places
Trouble finding toys, food bowls,...
Straining to poop
Passing very small amounts of dry, hard stool
Going longer than usual without a bowel movement
Crying, whining, or showing discomfort while trying to...
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Weight loss
Increased appetite with poor body condition
Pot-bellied appearance
Scooting or dragging the rear end
Visible worms in stool or around the anus
Worm segments that look like...
Excessive scratching or itching
Frequent head shaking
Rubbing ears or body against furniture or the floor
Hair loss, especially in patches
Red, irritated, or inflamed skin
Scabs, crusts, or...
Itchy skin, especially paws, ears, belly, face, or armpits
Excessive licking, chewing, or scratching
Red, inflamed, or irritated skin
Recurrent ear infections
Head shaking or ear odor
Hair loss...
Vomiting, especially repeated vomiting
Trying to vomit but nothing comes up
Loss of appetite
Refusing food or water
Lethargy or weakness
Abdominal pain or tenderness
Swollen or bloated abdomen
Restlessness or...
Approaches you willingly
Wags tail when seeing you
Makes relaxed eye contact
Follows you around
Leans against you
Seeks physical contact
Licks your face or hands
Brings you toys
Gets excited when...
Dry or sticky gums
Loss of skin elasticity
Sunken eyes
Lethargy or weakness
Panting more than usual
Thick, ropy saliva
Reduced appetite
Dark yellow urine
Less frequent urination
Dry nose
Slow capillary refill time
Collapse...
Coughing
Fatigue after mild activity
Decreased appetite
Weight loss
Trouble breathing
Swollen belly
Weakness or fainting
Reduced interest in exercise
Pale gums
Diagnosis by a veterinarian using a heartworm test
Chest X-rays or ultrasound...
Frequent urination
Straining to urinate
Passing only small amounts of urine
Urinating indoors or outside the normal routine
Blood in the urine
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Licking the genital area...
Warm or hot ears
Warm or hot nose
Dry nose
Lethargy
Shivering
Loss of appetite
Panting
Red or glassy eyes
Coughing
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Restlessness
Seeking cool surfaces
Rectal temperature above 103°F (39.4°C)
Check for a rectal temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher
Look for warm ears, paws, or body
Notice lethargy or low energy
Watch for shivering or trembling
Observe...
Check for a rectal temperature of 101.0–102.5°F
Suspect fever if the temperature is 103°F or higher
Suspect a serious fever if the temperature is 104°F or...
Redirect biting to appropriate chew toys
Stop play immediately when biting starts
Use a firm, calm “no” or “ouch”
Avoid rough play that encourages biting
Reward gentle mouth...
Identify triggers and warning signs early
Avoid punishing growling or stiff body language
Give the dog space when guarding starts
Remove high-value items only by trading, not...
Pick up poop immediately
Keep the yard and floor clean
Supervise your puppy closely outdoors
Use a leash during potty breaks
Interrupt the behavior calmly
Redirect to a toy...
Identify the trigger for the barking
Remove or reduce the trigger when possible
Ignore attention-seeking barking
Reward quiet behavior immediately
Teach a “quiet” cue
Use consistent commands and responses
Provide...
Redirect biting to an appropriate chew toy
Stop play immediately when biting starts
Use a firm, calm “no” or “ouch” once
Turn away and withdraw attention for...
Check for fleas and use a veterinarian-approved flea prevention
Bathe your dog with a gentle, dog-safe shampoo
Rinse thoroughly to remove all shampoo residue
Brush your dog...
Pick up stool immediately from your yard and walks
Keep your dog on a leash during potty breaks
Interrupt the behavior calmly and redirect your dog
Teach...
