Your dog will probably pass the test if he:

Accepting a

Friendly Stranger

Moves normally with the handler and does not shy away from the friendly stranger

Shows only casual interest in the friendly stranger

Also keep in mind that:

You may remind your dog to sit or stop when you stop as long as it appears natural and you don’t take too long

You must make a definite pause to say hello or exchange pleasantries with the friendly stranger

The friendly stranger will shake your hand but will not address your dog at all

You will then continue on in a normal fashion

Your dog will need additional training in this area before he can pass this test if he:

Shys away when the friendly stranger approaches

Growls, snaps, barks, or otherwise exhibits a fear or self-defense response any time during this exercise

Jumps up on or shows more than casual interest in the friendly stranger

This means that your dog may look at the person, but may not sniff or approach the other person. Your dog also must not attempt to follow the other person as you continue on past them after exchanging pleasantries. Furthermore, your dog should not get in your way so that you have difficulty walking away from the person.

Common errors made by the handler, causing the team to fail this exercise:

Handler not pausing to exchange pleasantries with the friendly stranger

I will usually explain and ask the handler to repeat the exercise correctly, but if the handler again makes a "flying handshake", then I will have to assume that the dog is unable to pass this portion of the test.

Handler jerking on the leash to make the dog sit when the handler stops to speak to the stranger

So what exactly does this test look like? If you are taking this test under me, you could expect things to go something like the following:

I would tell you where to set your dog up, and you would person facing you at some distance away.

I would instruct you to go "forward" toward the person. When you meet that person, you are to stop, shake hands, exchange pleasantries and then continue on.

Once you had completed the above, I would call an "exercise finished" which signals you that this portion of the test is over.

Have other questions? E-mail me for answers!