Therapy Dog Exam Items

  • 1. Accepting a friendly stranger Evaluator approaches and pretends to shake hands with handler (hands 6- 12” apart). Evaluator does not touch dog. 

    2. Sitting politely for petting Evaluator pets dog; dog must show no shyness or resentment.

     3. Appearance nd grooming Evaluator inspects dog, combs or brushes lightly, examines ears and each front foot. 

    4. Out for a walk Handler takes dog for a short walk including right turn, left turn, about turn and stop.

     5. Walking through a crowd Dog and handler walk close to several people; dog may show causal interest but not jump up. 

    6. Sit and down on cue/Staying in place Handler shows that dog can do both sit and down, then chooses a position, leaves dog and goes to the end of a 20 ft. line, and returns immediately. 

    7. Coming when called With dog still on 20 ft. line from Test 6, handler walks out 10 ft. and calls the dog.

     8. Reaction to another dog Two handlers and dogs approach, pretend to shake hands (hands 6-12” apart), exchange pleasantries, then move on.

     9. Reaction to distractions Distractions are presented; dog may not panic or show aggression.

     10. Supervised separation Handler goes out of sight for 3-min. Dog is held on a 6-ft. leash by an evaluator.

    1. Dog stands, sits or lies down and waits under control while the owner:

      1. sits at the registration table and fills out paperwork, or,

      2. if the test is done in the community, dog waits while the owner sits and has a snack or visits with another person (e.g., at a park)

    2. Walks on a loose leash in a natural situation (not in a ring) — does not pull.

      1. left turn

      2. right turn

      3. stop

      4. fast and slow pace

    3. Walks on loose leash through a crowd:

      1. at a show or in class, this item is tested in a real crowd, not in a ring

      2. in the community, dog walks on sidewalk, through a crowd at a community fair, park, on a trail, through a busy hallway, etc.

    4. Dog walks past distraction dogs present; does not pull.
      This item may be tested along with #3 if there are dogs in the crowd, etc.

      1. at a show or class, dog walks by dogs waiting in the crowd–dogs 2 ft. apart

      2. in the community, dog walks by other dogs on a trail, sidewalk, in a hallway, etc.

    5. Sit-stay in small group (two other people with dogs, total of 3 people, 3 dogs in group).

    6. Dog allows person who is carrying something (backpack, computer bag, etc.) to approach and pet it.
      “May I pet your dog?” (Item is placed on floor/ground before the person pets the dog)

    7. “Leave it.” Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, “Leave it.”
      This can be food placed by the evaluator on the floor or ground in a food dish with a wire cover as in Rally.

    8. Down or sit stay — distance (owner’s choice).
      Dog is on 20–ft line, owner walks away with back to dog, picks up an item (e.g., backpack, training bag, clipboard, folder etc.) placed on the floor/chair/ground by the evaluator and returns to the dog.

    9. Recall with distractions present (coming when called). Handler goes out 20–ft. **(off center) and calls dog.
      Dog is on the 20–ft. line from #8 above.

    10. Dog will sit or stand stay (owner’s choice) while owner enters/exits a doorway or narrow passageway. Owner calls dog through door when ready.
      Owner may also choose to:

      1. send the dog through first and have the dog wait for the owner, or

      2. the owner may choose to have the dog go through the doorway at the owner’s side.