top of page

P.A.T. (Public Access Test)

STANDARDS SET BY

ADI & IAADP

Our SUPPORT GROUP is not administering the PAT but we are training our SDITs to accomplish the standards set by ADI (Assistance Dogs International) and IAADP (International Association of
Assistance Dog Partners). 

​

These are the two foremost recognized Organizations set up to establish Service Dog Protocol. (links above)

1) No Corrective Collars or Controlling Training Aids

2) LEASH TENSION – No pulling (unless needed for Mobility);

    Leash Control

3) Inappropriate SD Conduct:

  • No growling or excessive barking

  • No nipping or biting

  • No showing or baring teeth

  • No lunging at dogs or people

  • Can not be out of handler’s control

  • No inappropriate elimination (no marking!)

4) Working Position established - Task or SD Job-

     Must be comfortable & consistent 

5) Public Transportation

6) Parking Lot Behavior

7) Controlled entry into building

8) Navigate stores: interacting with public/ control of dog.

  • No sniffing merchandise

  • No licking merchandise

  • Disregard Food

  • Work with a cart - FOUR ON THE FLOOR

9) Working with Distractions (Dogs must develop

     “Shock Absorbers” for the unknown

10) Obedience

  • Sit/Stay Down/Stay Recall COME

  • LEAVE IT Take it

  • HEEL

  • WATCH ME

  • Drop Leash SETTLE

  • IGNORE petting or respond positively (can be touched but not over eager)

11) Restaurant Protocol

  • Interaction

  • Shake it off OUTSIDE ONLY

  • NO FOOD in public

12) Elevator

13) Stairs

14) Working around other dogs

15) BATHROOMS – protocol (not under other’s stalls, standing

      & waiting)

AKC CGCA  &  CGCU

COMMUNITY CANINE (CGCA)

 

1) Dog STANDs - SITs - DOWNs & WAITs under control

 

2) Dog WALKS ON A LOOSE LEASH in a natural

    setting/situation and does NOT pull (Left, Right,   

    About Face) @ Fast Pace, @ Slow pace- STOP

   (also do this with small group 2-3 dogs min)

 

3) Dog WALKS ON LOOSE LEASH in a crowd -

    in a park or open area, classroom (do Pass-Bys)

 

4) Dog walks past DISTRACTIONS and does not pull

    (kids, adults, other dogs & dog ignores distractions,

     shares sidewalk, hallway & close pass-bys)

 

5) SIT/STAY in a small group - 2 to 3 dog teams

    (sitting in a small group, standing in a small group)

 

6) Dog allows person who is carrying something to

    approach & pet (backpack, purse, baggage) 

    "May I Pet Your Dog?" approach before allowing

     dog to be petted- person holds object

 

7) "LEAVE IT" Dog walks by food & follows LEAVE IT

     command (food is on the floor or in a bowl) 

     also "TAKE IT"

 

8) DOWN/ STAY @ distance (20 ft line- owner walks

    away with back to dog, picks up an item from the

    floor- or a chair- and returns to dog)

 

9) RECALL with DISTRACTIONS (Coming when

    Called)  -  Handler goes out 20 ft (off center)

    and calls dog.

 

10)  Dog under control while handler Exits & Enters

       a Doorway (Narrow Passage) - "WAIT at the GATE" 

        - Go through Doorway with Dog, Have Dog Wait as

        Handler goes through "Gate" then Re-Call dog

        through. 

                                   *link to AKC CGCA page above

URBAN CANINE (CGCU)

 

1) EXIT / ENTER Building (dog friendly) with No Pulling       *Exit Building to start test

 

2) WALK THROUGH A CROWD on a busy Urban sidewalk

  • People come toward the dog from 1+ ft away

  • Tolerate Distractions

  • Not react to hats, umbrellas, big coats, people of all ages and flavors

 

3) Appropriate reaction to City Distractions, movements,

      noises, walking on different surfaces

  • Sirens, construction noises

  • Moving Objects- Strollers, skateboards, bikes, wheelchairs

  • Kids running by

  • Surfaces: grass, tarps, grates, rugs, slippery floors

 

4) Crossing Street & Stopping at Corners – Traffic Areas

  • Stand or Sit to WAIT to cross

  • Cross without pulling

  • Cross under control

 

5) Ignore food on sidewalk – food wrappers, dropped food,

     cups, bags, cans, etc

 

6) Person walks up to dog – carrying a small dog in a carrier

      bag or a computer bag

  • Person does not put down bag to pet dog

  • Pet dog amidst distractions

 

7) Public/Dog Friendly Building- Dogs walks in under control

  • Slick floors, carpets

  • Down / Stay in Lobby (busy) area for 3 minutes

  • Down / Stay in public place WAIT while owners talks or snacks

 

8) Stairs, Steps, Elevators under control

  • Steps @ least 3 – Up & Down

  • Elevator (enter under control – ride & exits under control- no bolting or pulling)

 

9) “House Trained” for Condo, Apt- City Living –

      Walking out for Potty Breaks

 

10) Transportation – Public Access

  • Bus, Train, Plane, Cabs * depends on owner’s needs

  • Car – Enters, Exits remaining under control on ride (Seatbelt? Crate?)

  • Subway – small dog in carrier bags-

  • Large dogs tucked under seat/between handler’s legs – facing front

  • Dog-Friendly Transportation if not a SERVICE DOG or SDIT

  • Enters/Exits UP or Down in/onto vehicle- allowed to be picked up

  • Boards Bus or Train under control

​

                                                      *link to AKC CGCU above

session sit pack (2020_03_06 17_30_27 UTC).jpg

By training in a pack, dog teams can run drills and use real time adventure (arcades, grocery stores, libraries, public parks and events) as practice for evaluations. Often, we meet for coffee or a bite to eat as we TUCK our service dogs and SDiTs under the table. Hearing other customers comment, "We had no idea there were dogs under there!", is a great compliment to hear as we exit, in an orderly line.

Extended down stays Arcade.jpg
TUCK Susie Q Mongo.jpg
FB_IMG_1632173416724 (1).jpg
axel potty.jpg
20190721_200657.jpg
Extended DOWN/STAYs are always  something to practice, as are WAIT before unloading, STAND/SIT Proper Bathroom Etiquette and AT EASE Good Office Manners.
IMG_20160303_143622_edited.jpg

 Don't send mixed signals - you are the alpha in your pack
       * Humans go out the door first !
       * you eat 1st - dog waits (no begging!)  
      * no JUMPING ON FURNITURE - invite dog up

20190611_204843 (2020_03_06 17_30_27 UTC)_edited.jpg

 DOGS on DUTY SERVICE DOG SUPPORT GROUP 

bottom of page