Adolescent Dogs
Owner Trained Assistance Dogs Programme
APPLICATION CRITERIA
HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF ADOLESCENT DOGS ASSISTANCE DOG PROGRAMME
Thank you for showing an interest in Adolescent Dogs, we hope that this document will help you decide if you and your dog are suitable to be an Adolescent Dogs team in training and explain a little about what to expect throughout the application process and if successful a member of Adolescent Dogs.
Firstly, we require you to complete our application form. You can sign up via our website and get started right away, but the following documents will need to be provided before you can take any assessments:
1. A letter confirming your diagnosis attached to the application form.
2. If your condition is a mental health condition, you will need a supporting letter from a Psychiatrist to confirm that your condition is classed as a disability and has a long-term and substantial impact on your day to day life and that a task trained assistance dog would be beneficial. If your dog provides emotional support without specific task training, they are classed as an emotional support dog and not an assistance dog.
3. A document confirming that your dog has 3rd party liability insurance. This will need to specifically cover your dog when working as an assistance dog once they reach the stage of training in non dog friendly places.
PLEASE NOTE ADOLESCENT DOGS WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY CHARGES INCURRED FOR YOU TO PRODUCE THESE DOCCUMENTS.
· Once we have received your application with all the above-mentioned documentation your application will be reviewed, and you will be contacted to let you know whether you have been successful for the first stage of the application process. This is usually processed within 24 hours, so please email us if you have not heard back and make sure you check your spam folder for replies.
· Once you have received notification from us that you have been successful, you will be invited to join our Online Academy, and will be eligible to apply to take assessments. The Puppy, Bronze, Silver, Mitigating Tasks and Gold assessments can be taken by video submission and video assessments are free. A Temperament Test must be taken with a local force-free trainer in person after your dog reaches 9 months of age. The Access Test assessment can be taken once your dog reaches 18 months of age . These are done in person with us in Guildford (or within 50 miles) at the cost of £120. This cost includes the access test, plus lifetime membership to the academy, free yearly access test re-testing in person or via video, the right to carry a membership card, appearance on the members page, the right to wear a vest with the Adolescent Dogs logo on it, trainer support and support with access issues. If opting for the Lifetime membership option, the cost of the access test, a vest and ID card are included.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’M ACCEPTED AS A MEMBER?
· CONGRATULATIONS! You will now be offered a place to train with Adolescent Dogs and become part of our successful and ever-growing family.
· You will be required to pay either monthly or annual membership and this is ongoing if you would like to continue taking assessments, wearing the Adolescent Dogs vests , carry membership cards and receive support. Your membership fee stops after you pass the access test. If paying for the Lifetime membership, this is a one-off payment.
· Once you have signed up and paid your first membership fee, you’ll gain instant access to the Online Academy so that you can begin working through the training criteria.
· You will be expected to keep weekly training logs, and share videos of training progress via the academy for remote support and guidance. You will need to keep copies of training logs in case you ever need to show proof of training.
· You will be allowed to use our customised Assistance Dog in Training Vest once you are a member and have passed the Silver Assessment & a Temperament Test. The Assistance Dog vest is only available to those who have passed their Access Test. Only members may use the Assistance Dog Vests on their dog
TO QUALIFY YOUR ASSISTANCE DOG WITH ADOLESCENT DOGS?
· Your dog will need to be fully health checked by a vet each year and be given clearance by a vet to work as an assistance dog - all dogs will require full vet clearance in writing before taking their Gold Award and public access test. For brachycephalic breeds (flat nosed dogs such as Pugs, Frenchies etc), you will be limited on your ability to work your dog in warmer months and they might not be suited to full time assistance dog roles)
· If you plan to do any mobility or brace training, you will need to provide proof that your dog is fully grown and has been Xrayed and cleared by a Vet for this kind of work.
· You will be required to pass 7 assessments: Puppy, Bronze, Temperament Test, Silver, Mitigating Tasks, Gold, and then a final Access Test. Puppy to Gold can be submitted online via video submission for free. Access test is £120 with monthly or yearly membership, or free when selecting lifetime membership. You can find the criteria for assessments in the FILES section on the Facebook Support Group.
· Your dog must be at least 12 months old to take the Gold test and must have passed Gold before traning in non-dog friendly places.
· Your dog must be over 18 months old to take the Public Access Test
· You must have logged a minimum of 80 hours combined obedience and socialisation training
· You must have logged a minimum of 30 hours public access training
· You must have trained your mitigating tasks and be able to demonstrate them or deliver proof of them by video via email, if it is not a task you can demonstrate in public, (such as waking from night terrors, or alerting to a condition that may not require intervention during your Public access assessment)
· Your dog must attend a Temperament Assessment with a local trainer before taking their Silver Award. You must bring your dog for an additional temperament assessment if your dog begins to display concerning behaviours such as reactivity towards dogs/people: including barking, lunging, baring teeth, biting. Or shows fearful behaviours towards dogs/people/environment or is involved in a dog attack (instigator or victim).
· You must remove your dog from public access training and public assistance dog training immediately if your dog displays any of the above mentioned behaviours and may not return to public assistance dog training until a temperament assessment has taken place and been passed.
· You must agree to your public access test being recorded on video. These videos will not be shared or used as promotional material unless we seek your direct permission in the future
· You must take the Public Access Test once a year to ensure the training is kept up to date and the high standards maintained. This will include a temperament assessment and health check. Your first access test is done in person within 50 miles of Guildford. Further access tests can be done via video submission. There is no additional fee for further tests (these are included in your yearly membership)
PLEASE NOTE. TESTS AND ACCESS TESTS ARE NOT REQUIRED BY LAW, BUT THEY CAN HELP TO ENSURE YOUR DOG IS TRAINED TO A HIGH STANDARD AND WON'T CAUSE DISRUPTION, AND THEY CAN HELP TO SUPPORT ACCESS WHEN IT IS DENIED.
These companies cover: LV, Many Pets, Pet plan, Tesco, Sainbury's, Everypaws, John lewis and Agria
I accept full responsiblity if my dog causes harm or damage to themselves or someone else during my training with Adolescent Dogs.
