Photo Gallery

Accepting a Friendly Stranger

The dog shows no resentment or shyness while allowing a stranger to approach it, exchange pleasantries, and shake hands with the handler (ignoring the dog).

Sitting Politely for Petting

Dog sits at the handler’s side, allows evaluator to pet head and body. The handler may talk to the dog throughout the exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted but does not show shyness or resentment.

Appearance and Grooming

The dog welcomes being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy condition. The evaluator will comb / brush the dog, examines the ears and picks up each front foot. 

Out for a Walk (Loose Leash Walking)

The dog may be on either side of the handler and should be attentive to the handler and respond to movements and changes of direction. Right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and another at the end. 

Walking Through a Crowd

The dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to at least three people. The dog may show some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment, pulling on the leash, or jumping. 

Sit / Down / Stay

The dog will respond to the handler’s commands to sit and down and will remain in the place commanded by the handler. The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. 

Come when Called

The dog will come when called by the handler from a 10 foot distance. 

Reaction to Another Dog

The dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other without to the other dog or its handler.

Reaction to Distractions

The dog is confident at all times when faced with common distractions such as dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. 

Supervised Separation

The dog can be left with a trusted person, and will maintain training and good manners for three minutes with the owner out of sight. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness. 

Wait Under Control

Dog stands, sits or lies down and waits under control while the owner: sits at the registration table and fills out paperwork, or, if the test is done in the community, dog waits while the owner sits and has a snack or visits with another person.

Natural Loose Leash Walking

Must make a left turn, right turn, stop, fast and slow pace

Loose Leash Walking Through Crowd

At a show or in class, this item is tested in a real crowd, not in a ring. In the community, dog walks on sidewalk, through a crowd at a community fair, park, on a trail, through a busy hallway, etc.

Loose Leash Walking Past Distractions
At a show or class, dog walks by dogs waiting in the crowd–dogs 2 ft. apart. In the community, dog walks by other dogs on a trail, sidewalk, in a hallway, etc.

Small Group Sit and Stay

Three other people with dogs. Owners and dogs are in an informal circle/square while owners have a conversation. Dogs are all on the owner’s left side, on leash; 3 ft. apart for at leash 30 seconds

Greeting Someone Carrying Something

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)

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.

Distance Down or Sit and Stay
Dog is on 20ft 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.

Recall with Distractions 

Handler goes out 20ft and calls dog.
Dog is on the 20–ft. line from #8 above.

Stay Through Passageway

Dog sits or stands and stays while owner enters/exits a doorway or narrow passageway. Owner calls dog through door when ready. Owner may also choose to: send the dog through first and have the dog wait for the owner, or the owner may choose to have the dog go through the doorway at the owner’s side. Whichever method is used, the dog must not pull the owner and must be under good control. Think of the handler having the leash in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
Doorway or gate can be real or simulated with ring gates, two chairs, or a natural passageway (e.g., entrance to trail) in the community.

Loose Leash Entry

Exit/enter doorway with no pulling in dog-friendly buildings. 

Loose Leash on Busy Sidewalk

People come toward the dog from 1-ft. away, tolerate distractions (people wearing hats, coats, men, women, etc).

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

Crossing Street 

Stop at corner, stand or sit to wait and cross with no pulling (on leash, with owner). Crosses street under control.

Ignore Food on Sidewalk 

Dropped food, or cups, bags, cans, in which food was wrapped

Greeting Someone Carrying Something

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.

Loose Leash Walking in Public Building 

Dog Friendly Building. 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.

Loose Leash on Stairs, Steps, Elevator

Steps: at least 3 – up and down. Elevator: enters under control, exits, rides under control

Housetrained 

For apartment, condo, city living. Owner may verify this item. Evaluator may also observe in public buildings, or have observed in training classes.

Transportation 

Owner’s choice depending on transportation needs. Car: Enters/exits, remains under control during the ride. 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.