What to expect from the assessment.
You will need to take
- Your dog's grooming brush
- Your dog's favourite treats
Your dog should be presented on a flat collar and fixed lead. The descriptions and short videos are designed to give you an idea of what to expect when you meet your assessor.
Meeting your assessor
Once you meet your assessor to have your dog assessed your assessment will commence. Try to arrive promptly.
Your assessor will observe the relationship between you and your dog and ask you to demonstrate loose lead walking. You will be asked to walk up and down around ten paces.
Wearing the correct attire
Your dog should be wearing a flat collar attached to a fixed lead for the assessment.
We do not allow slip leads, check chains, head collars or any other form of lead.
Your dog will be allowed to wear a harness when visiting but not for the assessment.
Groom your dog
Your assessor will ask you to groom your dog. Often when visiting, especially in educational settings, we are asked, 'can I brush your dog?'
Please bring your dog's brush so you can demonstrate brushing your dog's back and tail.
Don't panic!
Sometime the un-expected happens and we have to move our dogs away from the situation. Your assessor will ask you to perform an emergency turn away.
Your assessor will ask you to walk away for 5 metres then turn towards the assessor. The assessor will say ‘now’ and applicant must hold the dog close by its collar and walk away from any situation.
This is to see that you have good close control of your dog in case of an emergency.
Stroke and touch the dog
Your assessor will stroke your dog and touch their ears, paws and tail. During visits your dog will be patted, touched, stroked and told they are a 'good dog'.
Our dogs must be able to be touched all over their bodies and not react to any part being touched.
Giving a treat
The assessor will offer your dog a treat.
They will offer it on a flat hand and between their fingers and the dog should take the treat without snatching it.
You will find that most people we visit want to reward your dog and why not! They are doing a brilliant job and need paying.
Our assessors need all their fingers please to give your dog the thumbs up!
Beware of the noise!
Sometimes, when we are visiting, there are loud noises. It's fine for our dogs to go and investigate or look towards the noise, what we don't want is another commotion!
The assessor will drop an object about 2 metres away from the dog which will make a noise.
Leave it
When visiting you may find something on the floor that you do not want your dog to touch or eat. This maybe food, medication or just rubbish, but your dog should have a 'leave it' command. You may use light assistance on your dog's lead.
Your assessor will drop a treat on the floor and ask you to verbally ask the dog to 'leave it'.
Staying calm and focused
During the conversation of around 10-15 minutes your dog should sit, lay or stand at the side of you. The assessor will note what the dog did during the conversation. Often when we visit people like to chat and ask questions about your dog so they must be able to stay close to you and be calm.
Your dog must not jump up or paw at people as many of the people we visit are young or older and frail.
Make sure your dog is fit and healthy, looks their best and is on their best behaviour. We know you will both shine!
