PUBLIC ACCESS TEST

NAME OF DOG AND HANDLER: ________________________________

NAME OF TESTER: _____________________________________________

DATE OF TEST: _____________

PURPOSE: This test helps ensure that the service dog is stable, well-behaved, and unobtrusive to the public. The handler should demonstrate that the dog is safe to be in public and that the handler has control of the dog at all times.

It is expected that the test will be adhered to as closely as possible. If modifications are necessary, they should be noted in the space provided at the end of the test.

DISMISSAL: A dog will be dismissed from the test if they display any aggressive behavior (growling, raising hackles, showing teeth, etc.), eliminates indoors, or shows uncontrollable behavior.

LOCATION: Most of this test is to take place in a public setting such as a mall that has a restaurant or food court, and there should be plenty of people around. There will be two sections at the end where the dog needs to go off-leash, so these sections should be done in a different area.

TESTING EQUIPMENT: The dog should be on a six-foot leash. A Gentle Leader can be used, but not a choke-chain or a prong collar.

An evaluator needs to have:

• A printed copy of the test, a pen, and a clipboard (the evaluator will drop the clipboard as a distraction at one point).
• Two assistants (one adult, one child).
• Another dog.
• A plate with food.
• Access to a shopping cart.

The evaluator will explain the test thoroughly. During each test, the evaluator will follow discreetly to observe and, as much as possible, not directly interact with the handler.

CUES:

Cues may be given to the dog with hand signals, verbal signals, or both.

NOTE:

The handler should praise the dog when the dog does well (they will be scored on this).

SCORING:

The team must score at least 80% "YES" answers (unless the item is a “Mandatory yes”).

On the other items, the team must score ”More than half the time”.

CONTROLLED LOAD INTO A VEHICLE (PARKING LOT)

The handler will load the dog into the vehicle, with either entering first. The dog must not wander around the parking lot but must wait patiently for instructions. Emphasis is on safety and control.


The dog waited until cued to enter the vehicle.

 ___YES ___NO


 The dog readily entered the vehicle upon cue.
 ___YES ___NO

CONTROLLED UNLOAD OUT OF A VEHICLE (PARKING LOT)

The handler will unload the dog. If the handler needs equipment (wheelchair, walker, crutches, etc.), they should take that out of the vehicle, as well. The dog must wait until released before coming out of the vehicle. Once outside, it must wait quietly unless otherwise instructed by the handler. The dog may not run around, be off leash, or ignore cues given by the handler.

The dog waited in the vehicle until released. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES ___NO

Afterward, the dog waited outside the vehicle under control.
___YES ___NO

APPROACHING A BUILDING

After unloading, the team must maneuver through the parking lot to approach the building. The dog must stay in a heel position and may not forge ahead or lag behind. The dog must not display a fear of cars or traffic noises and must display a relaxed attitude. When the handler stops for any reason, the dog must stop also.

The dog stayed in heel position, not straining or forging ahead.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time

The dog was calm around traffic. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO

The dog stopped when the handler came to a halt.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time

CONTROLLED ENTRY THROUGH A DOORWAY

The handler cues the dog to sit. Then the handler opens the door, walks through, then releases the dog so that they can walk through, too.


The dog waited quietly at the door until cued to enter. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO


The dog waited on the inside until able to return to heel position. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO

HEELING THROUGH A BUILDING

Once inside the building, the handler and the dog must walk through the building in a controlled manner. The dog should always be within touching distance or no greater than a foot away from the handler. The dog should not solicit public attention or strain against the leash (except in cases where the dog may be pulling the handler's wheelchair). The dog must readily adjust to speed changes, turn corners promptly, and travel through a crowded area without interacting with the public. In tight quarters, the dog must be able to get out of the way of obstacles and not destroy merchandise by knocking it over or by playing with it.

The dog was within the prescribed distance of the handler.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time


The dog ignored the public, remaining focused on the handler.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time


The dog readily adjusted to speed changes.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time


The dog readily turned corners (did not have to be tugged or jerked to change direction).
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time


The dog readily maneuvered through tight quarters.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time

RESTAURANT OR FOOD COURT

The team and evaluator should enter a restaurant and be seated at a table. The dog should go under the table (or, if size prevents that, stay close by the handler). The dog must sit or lie down and may move a bit for comfort during the meal, but should not be up and down a lot or need a lot of correction or reminding.

The dog is unobtrusive and out of the way of patrons and employees as much as possible. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO

The dog maintained proper behavior, ignoring food and being quiet. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO

SIT – THREE TIMES, WITH DISTRACTIONS

The team will be asked to demonstrate the handler's ability to have the dog sit three different times. The dog must respond promptly each time with no more than two cues. There should not be any extraordinary gestures on the part of the people approaching the dog. Normal, reasonable behavior on the part of the people is expected.

The first sit will be a sit-stay as the assistant walks up behind the team, talks to the handler, and then pets the dog. The dog must hold their position. The dog may not break the stay to solicit attention. The handler may repeat the stay cue along with reasonable physical corrections.

The second sit will be next to a plate of food placed on the ground. The dog must not attempt to eat or sniff the food. The handler may correct the dog verbally or physically away from the food, but then the dog must maintain a sit while ignoring the food. The dog should not be taunted or teased with the food. This situation should be made as realistic as possible.

The third sit will be executed, and the assistant with a shopping cart will approach within three feet of the dog and continue on past. The dog should maintain the sit and not show any fear of the shopping cart. If the dog starts to move, the handler may correct the dog to maintain the sit.

The dog responded promptly to the cue to sit.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time

The dog remained under control around food--not trying to get food and not needing repeated corrections. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO

The dog remained composed while the shopping cart passed--did not shy away, show signs of fear, etc. shopping cart should be pushed normally and reasonably, and not dramatically. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO


The dog maintained a sit-stay while being petted by a stranger. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO

DOWN – TWO TIMES WITH DISTRACTIONS

The down exercises will be performed in the same sequence as the sits with the same basic stipulations.

The first down will be at a table where food will be dropped on the floor. The dog should not break the down to go for the food or sniff at the food. The handler may give verbal and physical corrections to maintain the down. There should not be any extraordinary gestures on the part of the people approaching the dog. Normal, reasonable behavior from the people is expected.

The second down will be cued, then an adult and child should approach the dog. The dog should maintain the down and not solicit attention. If the child pets the dog, the dog must behave appropriately and not break the stay. The handler may give verbal and physical corrections if the dog begins to break the stay.

The dog responded promptly to the cue to down.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time


The dog remained under control around the food--not trying to get food and not needing repeated corrections. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO

The dog remained in control while the child approached.
Note: The child should not taunt dog or be overly dramatic.
___YES ___NO

NOISE DISTRACTION

The team will be heeling along and the tester will drop a clipboard to the ground behind the team. The dog may acknowledge the noise, but may not in any way show aggression or fear. A normal startle reaction is fine--the dog may jump and or turn--but the dog should quickly recover and continue along on the heel. The dog should not become aggressive, begin shaking, etc.

The dog remained composed during the noise distraction. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO

DOG TAKEN BY THE ASSISTANT

The assistant takes the dog's leash and holds the dog (not giving any cues).


The dog does not respond with stress or whining.
__YES ___NO

CONTROLLED EXIT AND PAST TRAFFIC IN A PARKING LOT

The handler takes the dog, leaves the building, and walks across the parking lot. Safety and control is of prime importance. The dog must be in heel position and not display any fear of vehicle or traffic sounds.

The dog stayed in a relative heel position.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time


The dog was calm around traffic. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO


The dog stopped when the handler came to a halt.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time

RECALL ON LEASH

A large, open area should be found for the six-foot recall. The handler will perform a six-foot recall with the dog remaining on a leash. The handler cue the dog to sit, moves six feet away, then turns and calls the dog to them. The dog should respond promptly and not stop to solicit attention from the public. The dog should come close enough to the handler to be readily touched. The recall should be smooth and deliberate without the dog trudging to the handler or taking any detours along the way.


The dog responded readily to the recall cue--did not stray away, seek attention from others, or trudge slowly. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO


The dog remained under control and focused on the handler. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO


The dog came within the prescribed distance of the handler. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO


The dog came directly to the handler. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO

DROPPING THE LEASH

The handler will be instructed to drop the leash while moving so it is apparent to the dog. The handler must show the ability to maintain control of the dog and get the leash back in its appropriate position. The main concern is that the dog is aware that the leash is dropped and that the handler is able to maintain control of the dog and get the leash back into the proper position.

When told to drop the leash, the team maintained control and the handler got the leash back in position. (Mandatory yes.)
___YES __NO

STAYING CALM AROUND ANOTHER DOG

The evaluator’s assistant should walk past with another dog, within six feet of the team. The dog must remain calm and under control, not pulling or trying to get to the other dog.

The dog remained under control while another dog was walked past.
___YES ___NO (Mandatory yes.)

SCORING THE OVERALL TEAM RELATIONSHIP


When the dog did well, the handler praised the dog.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time

The dog is relaxed, confident, and friendly.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time

The handler kept the dog under control.
___More than half the time
___Less than half the time

Note: Were there any unique situations that made any portion of this test not applicable?

SCORING:

The team must score at least 80% "YES" answers (unless the item is a “Mandatory yes”).

On the other items, the team must score ”More than half the time”.

___PASS     ___FAIL