Public Access Test

HERITAGE SERVICE DOGS - PUBLIC ACCESS TEST

This test is to ensure that dogs are safe and well behaved in public, and that the handler is able to maintain control over their dog. It is not designed to determine specific service related skills.

Unruly, or aggressive behavior, such as barking, growling, snapping, biting, or lack of toileting control, is an automatic disqualification.

Equipment and commands: Any necessary equipment may be used on the service dog (e.g. vest, harness, training collar). Tiny dogs may be carried in the handler’s arms, using a carrier, sling or other device when necessary, or for handlers using a wheelchair or scooter, the dog may sit on their lap, wheelchair or scooter. Test items should be modified according to the dog’s normal working position, and the dog should always appear comfortable and confident in that working position. Commands may be verbal, hand signals, or a combination of the two. Service dog should have a minimum of 120 hours of social training over a period of six months or more, and pass basic obedience skills training.

No aggressive behavior toward people or other animals - biting, snapping, growling or barking
No soliciting food or attention from other people while on duty.
No sniffing merchandise or people, or intruding into another dog's space while on duty.
Must ignore food on the floor or dropped in the dog's vicinity while working outside the home.
Works calmly on leash. No unruly behavior or unnecessary vocalizations in public settings.
No urinating or defecating in public unless given a specific command in an appropriate place.

Scoring: 1 = Always 2 = Mostly 3 = Sometimes 4 = Never

In the Parking Lot:
__Yes __No Dog remained calm and did not attempt to exit the vehicle until given the command
__Yes __No Dog was under control while exiting car and immediately after
__Yes __No Dog was under control while entering car and immediately after
__Yes __No Dog did not interfere with or become distracted by another dog
__Yes __No Dog was calm around moving cars, did not display any fear of traffic sounds
__Yes __No Dog was calm when crossing man hole covers or grates
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog did not attempt to greet or sniff others
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog did not attempt to eliminate unless specifically cued to do so
Basic commands:
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog responded promptly to the sit command
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog responded promptly to the down command
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog remained in a heel position on a loose leash
__1 __2 __3 __4 When handler stopped the dog also stopped
Entering a building:
__Yes __No Dog entered building in a controlled manner using a manual door
__Yes __No Dog entered building in a controlled manner using an automatic door
__Yes __No Dog waited quietly until commanded to enter or exit
Moving through a store with distractions:
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog remained in heel position on a loose leash or calmly in place
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog ignored the general public, and remained focused on handler
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog remained within the prescribed distance of the handler
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog readily turned corners, did not have to be tugged or jerked
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog readily maneuvered through tight quarters
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog readily adjusted to speed changes
__Yes __No Dog did not brush against or topple any merchandise
__Yes __No Dog was not bothered by shopping carts and other distractions
__Yes __No Dog maintained sit position while shopping cart passed
__Yes __No Dog maintained sit command while petted by a stranger
Grocery Store:
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog remained calm and kept pace alongside handler pushing shopping cart
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog did not sniff food products
High-distraction behaviors:
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog did not sniff people walking by
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog stayed in position when approached by another dog
__Yes __No Dog did not break the stay, startle or vocalize when stepped-over
__Yes __No Dog accepted contact from a young child
__Yes __No Dog did not break its position during contact with the child
__Yes __No Dog remained focused on handler during contact with the child
__Yes __No Dog remained composed during a noise distraction, like a dropped try on a hard floor
(startle is acceptable, the dog should show no fear, aggression, or continue to be affected by the noise.)
Mass transit: (NOTE: This part of the test is optional depending on availability)
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog boarded and exited public transportation calmly
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog remained in position without disturbing others
Restaurants:
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog successfully ignored food or crumbs on restaurant floor
__1 __2 __3 __4 Walking in, dog is unobtrusive, remained in position and out of the way of others
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog did not beg, sniff, or create a disturbance in the restaurant
__Yes __No Dog successfully settled down under the table and stays out of the way
__Yes __No Dog did not sniff the dropped food item
__Yes __No Dog did not break its position during the dropped food challenge
Bathrooms:
__Yes __No Dog entered the bathroom without obvious fear
__Yes __No Dog remained in position while handler washed his/her hands
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog calmly entered stall
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog did not try to climb under or peek into adjacent stalls
Elevators: (NOTE: This part of the test is optional depending on availability)
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog entered, rode the elevator without fear, and exited appropriately
Escalators: (NOTE: This part of the test is optional depending on availability)
__Yes __No Dog got on the escalator without incident
__Yes __No Dog rode the escalator calmly
__Yes __No Dog got off the escalator in a controlled manner
Stairs:
__Yes __No Dog went up and down stairs with handler in a controlled manner
Off lead:
__Yes __No Dog came immediately to the handler without hesitation or distraction
__Yes __No Dog stayed in position when the lead was dropped
__Yes __No Dog remained calm when handed off to another person, handler stepped off 20 feet
Surfaces:
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog walked confidently on a variety of surfaces
Six Foot Recall on Lead:
__Yes __No Dog responded readily to the recall command
__Yes __No Dog came directly to the individual
__Yes __No Dog remained under control and focused on the handler
__Yes __No Dog came within the prescribed distance of the individual
Team relationship:
__1 __2 __3 __4 Handler positively reinforced dog when commands were followed correctly
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog was confident, relaxed, and friendly
__1 __2 __3 __4 Dog was attentive to the handlers' needs and commands

Scoring:
The team must score a 1 or a 2 on all 1-2-3-4 parts of the test. The team must score “yes” 80% of
the time on the yes/no parts of the test.

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