Public Access Test

Dog’s name: _____________ Handler’s name: _________________________________

Date of test: _____________ Tester’s name: __________________________________

Result: ⧠ Pass ⧠ No Pass

Tester signature: ________________________________________

Purpose and Scoring The purpose of this public access test (PAT) is to complement PSDP’s public access standard by providing general, minimum evaluation criteria for service dog team behavior. PSDP does not certify teams, but individuals are welcome to use this voluntary PAT for the purposes of service dog training or evaluation. PSDP is not liable for any risks or consequences of using this form. The test items are in a yes-or-no format. The team must be successful on all items of the test to pass. Test items that are not available in the tester’s general area (e.g. elevators) or are unreasonable due to a handler’s disability (e.g. shopping cart use) may be adjusted/omitted at the discretion of the tester.

1. Training/Controlling Aids ____Throughout the test, no treats, leash corrections, or training aids were used. While PSDP encourages training throughout the lifetime of the dog, the PAT is designed to give a good snapshot of how the dog can be expected to behave without intensive training aids. As such, handlers are not allowed to use treats during the test. Additionally, leash corrections or other physical corrections are not permitted. Similarly, this PAT prohibits the dog from being outfitted with any device designed to train or control by causing pain or fear (such as prong collars, choke collars, shock collars, and studded/prong harnesses). A head collar or non-prong, no-pull harness is acceptable only if the handler needs such an item due to their disability. This kind of device should only be used as an emergency failsafe (e.g., safety for balance issues), and cannot be relied on to control the dog during the test.
2. Leash Tension ____Throughout the test, team had an appropriate level of looseness in the leash/harness. The dog should not continuously/repeatedly strain at the leash (normally forms a “J”). Harness tension is okay if actively needed for disability mitigation (e.g., mobility or guide work). Retractable leashes are acceptable only when needed for disability-specific work. In either of these cases, the handler should alert the tester to the need and always maintain control without excessive pulling or wandering.
3. Inappropriate Service Dog Conduct ____Throughout the test, dog did not display any inappropriate behaviors bulleted below. • growling or inappropriate, excessive barking • nipping or biting • showing or baring teeth • lunging at other people or dogs • being out of handler’s control • inappropriately eliminating (urinating or defecating)
4. Working Position ____Throughout the test, dog was comfortable and confident in its working position. Each team’s working position will be different to meet their unique requirements. When the person is seated in place, a small dog may work exclusively from the user’s lap. When moving, dogs that are normally held or carried also need to be able to pass the relevant challenges from the ground.
5. Vehicles and Public Transportation ____Dog enters and exits any form of transportation in a safe manner. ____Dog is able to ride in any form of transportation in a controlled manner.
6. Parking Lot Behavior ____Dog transits parking lot safely.
7. Controlled Entry into a Building ____Dog enters building in a controlled manner.
8. Navigating a Store ___Dog does not bump into shelves or interact with merchandise. ____Dog does not interact with other people unless instructed to do so. ____Dog does not lick or closely sniff food or other items in store. * ____Dog maintains a working position while the handler uses a shopping cart.
9. Working with Distractions ____Dog is able to work despite distractions encountered in normal working environment.
10. Obedience Training ____Dog holds a sit, down, or stand stay on cue for 30 seconds. ____Dog comes on cue from a distance of 6 feet or greater. ____Dog walks past and leaves a food item on the ground. ____Dog is able to ignore, greet, or get out of the way of a stranger, whatever the dog has been trained or cued to do. ____Dog does not exhibit any inappropriate behavior when touched by a stranger. ____Dog focuses on the handler on cue.
11. Restaurant ____Dog does not beg or attempt to eat or closely sniff any food on the floor or on tables. * ____Dog is positioned to cause the least obstruction to the flow of business. ____Dog is not on a table, chair, or bench, but is always either on the floor or in a lap if required for disability mitigation. ____Handler does not feed or water their dog from the table.

*Exception: If the dog has been trained specifically to sniff food to aid with the user’s disability, then the dog can work at identifying the trigger by sniffing the food from a reasonable distance.

12. Elevator ____Dog should be able to load into an elevator and travel both up and down with the dog remaining confident and unruffled in a sit, down, or standing position.
13. Stairs ____If the handler uses stairs, the dog should maintain a working position. The dog should not cause the handler or others to fall or stumble. Teams that do not navigate stairways should be able to navigate wheelchair access ramps in the same manner.
14. Working around Other Dogs ____Dog should be able to maintain a working mode while in the presence of other dogs.
15. Use of Public Restrooms ____Dog does not cause a disturbance in the restroom

AKC Urban CGC Test Items

1. Exit/enter doorway with no pulling in dog-friendly buildings. Exit building to start test, additional Public buildings items are below.
2. Walk through a crowd on a busy urban sidewalk.
   • People come toward the dog from 1-ft. away
   • Tolerate distractions (people wearing hats, coats, men, women, etc).
3. Appropriate reaction to city distractions. This includes movement, noises, and walking on a variety of surfaces. Examples:
   • Noises: horns, sirens, construction noise, etc.
   • Moving objects: skateboard, bike, carts, person running
   • Surfaces: concrete, grass, grates, plastic tarp, wet sidewalk
4. Crossing street: Stop at corner, stand or sit to wait and cross with no pulling (on leash, with owner). Crosses street under control.
5. Ignore food on sidewalk. (Dropped food, or cups, bags, cans, in which food was wrapped).
6. Person walks up and pets the dog. May be carrying an item such as a small dog in a bag, a computer bag, etc. Person does not put the bag down to pet the dog.
7. Public Building (that is dog friendly). Walks under control in building (slick surface, carpeted floor). Down stay (3 min) in lobby or outdoor area or waits while owner has a meal or snack.
8. Stairs, steps, or elevator under control.
   • Steps (at least 3 – up and down)
   • Elevator (Enters under control, exits, rides under control)
9. Housetrained for apartment, condo, city living. Owner may verify this item. Evaluator may also observe in public buildings or have observed in training classes.
10. Transportation. Owner’s choice depending on transportation needs.
    • Car. Enters/exits, remains under control during the ride. (Crate? Seatbelt?)
    • Subway. Small dog in bag for ride. (large dogs are not always permitted; know and abide by the Transit Policies in your area).
    • Dog friendly (enters/exits or allows to be put in/taken out) under control.