Many people who are interested in getting their dog certified to do pet therapy tell me that they have nowhere to turn for information about the test prior to taking it. This page is designed to describe and illustrate the test as well as to give some pass / fail situations for each of the exercises.

I am a Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) Certified Evaluator so these pages present you with an idea of what I am looking for in a potential therapy dog. Please click next to the Sheltie icons to go to the pass / fail sections of the test. I hope to have every section of this test illustrated with photographs of a dog taking the test very soon-- so please keep checking back for the updates!!

All sections of this test are pass or fail. A dog must pass all 10 sections in order to become Canine Good Citizenship (CGC) and Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) certified. The dog may pass the CGC and still fail the TDI if the evaluator feels like the dog needs more training in some areas. The dog will also be evaluated for their overall behavior while in the testing area.

The test demonstrates that the dog will allow a stranger to come speak to the handler in a normal, everyday manner.

This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. There must be a right turn, left turn, and about turn, with one stop in between and one at the end.

This test demonstrates the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic.

This test shows the dog has training, will respond to the handler's command to sit and down and will remain in place.

This test shows that the dog will come when called by the handler.

This test shows that the dog can be left with a trusted person and will maintain its good manners. Dog will be held on a 6 foot leash while the handler is out of sight for three minutes.