Your dog will probably pass the test if he:

Sit and Down on

Command / Staying in Place

Sits on the handler's verbal command with no physical help

Lies down on the handler's verbal command with no physical help

Stays in place (on the handler's command) while the handler walks to the end of a 20 foot line and returns to the dog.

Also keep in mind that:

You may repeat the command more than once

You may give reasonable hand signals in conjunction with the verbal command

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

Refuses to sit or down within a reasonable amount of time after the handler has given the verbal command and / or signal

Follows the handler to the end of the leash on the stay portion of this exercise

Fails to stay in place until the handler returns to the dog

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

Giving harsh, overly loud verbal commands or yelling at the dog

Snatching / jerking on the leash, hitting, or using other physical corrections

Physically pushing the dog into the sit or down position

Pulling on the collar to force the dog into position

Handler cautiously edging or backing away from the dog on the stay portion of this exercise

The handler should be able to tell the dog to remain in place and confidently walk away from the dog in a normal manner. The stay command is invaluable when doing pet therapy and the dog should be able to perform this exercise with no problem. In a real therapy situation, if the handler needed the dog to stay, he probably wouldn't be in a position to coax the dog to stay.

So what is this test like and what can you expect?

I will have a light line on the ground before the test begins

I will ask you to come over to the line, attach the line to your dog's collar, and remove the leash

You may toss the leash to the side or I will hold it for you

I will then ask you to sit your dog

Once your dog is sitting, I will ask you to down your dog. You may get your dog up or you may down him from the sitting position. It is also possible that the evaluator might ask you to have your dog down first before sitting, so be prepared!

I would then tell you to leave the dog in the position of your choice, either sitting or lying down, and go to the end of the line (20 feet)

Once you turn and face your dog, I will tell you to return to your dog

Once you have gotten back to your dog's side, I will call "exercise finished" which signals the end of the test

Have other questions? E-mail me for answers!