Public Access Training (Service Dog In Training)

Commands for Navigating in Public

·       Tuck Under a chair/bench

·       Follow Behind

·       Left Side Heel

·       Right Side Heel

·       Middle Heel

·       Back Up

·       Potty in designated areas only

·       Leash Drops

Training/Controlling Aids

____Throughout the test, no treats, harsh leash corrections, or other training aids were used.

1. Leash Tension

____Throughout the test, team had an appropriate level of looseness in the leash/harness.

The dog should not continuously/repeatedly strain at the leash (normally forms a “J”). Harness tension is okay if actively needed for disability mitigation (e.g., mobility or guide work). Retractable leashes are acceptable only when needed for disability-specific work. In either of these cases, the handler should alert the tester to the need and always maintain control without excessive pulling or wandering.

3. Inappropriate Service Dog Conduct

____Throughout the test, dog did not display any inappropriate behaviors bulleted below.

• growling or inappropriate, excessive barking

• nipping or biting

• showing or baring teeth

• lunging at other people or dogs

• being out of handler’s control

• inappropriately eliminating (urinating or defecating)

4. Working Position

____Throughout the test, dog was comfortable and confident in its working position.

Each team’s working position will be different to meet their unique requirements. When the person is seated in place, a small dog may work exclusively from the user’s lap. When moving, dogs that are normally held or carried also need to be able to pass the relevant challenges from the ground.

5. Vehicles and Public Transportation

____Dog enters and exits any form of transportation in a safe manner.

____Dog is able to ride in any form of transportation in a controlled manner.

6. Parking Lot Behavior

____Dog transits parking lot safely.

7. Controlled Entry into a Building

____Dog enters building in a controlled manner.

8. Navigating a Store

____Dog does not bump into shelves or interact with merchandise.

____Dog does not interact with other people unless instructed to do so.

____Dog does not lick or closely sniff food or other items in store.*

____Dog maintains a working position while the handler uses a shopping cart.

9. Working with Distractions

____Dog is able to work despite distractions encountered in normal working environment.

10. Obedience Training

____Dog holds a sit, down, or stand stay on cue for 30 seconds.

____Dog comes on cue from a distance of 6 feet or greater.

____Dog walks past and leaves a food item on the ground.

____Dog is able to ignore, greet, or get out of the way of a stranger, whatever the dog has been trained or cued to do.

____Dog does not exhibit any inappropriate behavior when touched by a stranger.

____Dog focuses on the handler on cue.

11. Restaurant

____Dog does not beg or attempt to eat or closely sniff any food on the floor or on tables.*

____Dog is positioned to cause the least obstruction to the flow of business.

____Dog is not on a table, chair, or bench, but is always either on the floor or in a lap if required for disability mitigation.

____Handler does not feed or water their dog from the table.

12. Elevator

____Dog should be able to load into an elevator and travel both up and down with the dog remaining confident and unruffled in a sit, down, or standing position.

13. Stairs

____If the handler uses stairs, the dog should maintain a working position. The dog should not cause the handler or others to fall or stumble. Teams that do not navigate stairways should be able to navigate wheelchair access ramps in the same manner.

14. Working around Other Dogs

____Dog should be able to maintain a working mode while in the presence of other dogs.

15. Use of Public Restrooms

____Dog does not cause a disturbance in the restroom.