Glacier Taking the ADI Public Access Test

The Assistance Dogs International Public Access Test is the baseline standard for service dog behavior out in public. All of our service dogs are required to pass this test with their handlers before graduating from our program. Here is a video of Glacier taking the test with one of our trainers. A week after this video was taken, Glacier's handler flew out to California to do placement training and then took this test together as a service dog team.
Glacier now lives part time in Fairbanks, Alaska and part time in Flagstaff, Arizona with his handler as a mobility assistance service dog.

[@DOGWOMAN55]

My observation of this video and experience with slight of hand
handling techniqes is that you use the head halter as a correction base restraint tool along with holding the leash behind you which results in controling the dog by tension/restraint. I use this method in TRAINING a dog by appling a physical CONSEQUENCE to act as correction to position. When the dog goes out ahead of me or does not turn with me the dog feels a discomfort from the tension/pressure from the muzzle.
The goal is the dog should change its behavior to REFRAIN from going out ahead of me and TURNING with me without tension on the leash.
IF the tool/method falls below the threshold of changing the behavor it (the tool and method) simply becomes a MANAGEMENT scheme as this video appears to llustrate, in my opinion.
Lots of luring with treats and hand movements. lots of leash tension.

[@ushomestead]

How ironic that closed captioning isn't available

[@lmarlin]

I hope this is not meant to convey that SD handlers must have and produce documentation. In the US it's illegal for anyone to ask for paperwork proving your dog is a SD. The handler is not obligated to provide it. As long as the dog behaves like a SD and the handler says it's a SD, the place of business cannot ask you for proof. Leslie Marlin, JD, CPDT, KPA CTP.

[@markleesbruisedknee]

hi i just have a quick question can you self train your sd and not do a public access test?

[@MysticalHomeCreations]

That’s true in the USA but not in Canada they have to ask for documentation wether that’s a public access test or a doctors note or a certification from a real service dog training organization by Canadian guid lines and standards

[@Ausgar-yc1yl]

​@@markleesbruisedkneeIn the US service dogs do not have to pass ANY test.

[@kxda.hxrlow]

@@markleesbruisedkneedepends where you are but in Australia and the us 100% you can!

[@dakotabailey5047]

I'm unsure about how i feel about the heel don't get me wrong I hold my leash behind my back but there wasn't enough slack on the leash it kept tugging at the head collar giving un-necessary correction and not actually showing what a correct and well taught heel was.

[@aidenberzins]

I concur there should be a bit more slack in the line. Always looking for the J shape.

[@servicedoggy2436]

Yea I noticed that also.

[@sarahhebert4855]

yeah this "service dog" organization is a total joke. I live in the same city as them and I turn the other way when I see one of their dogs.

[@Nil-tz6gy]

I noticed too - a friend showed me some of their videos and it seems they all do it - I think the program has them do it but I'm unsure why

[@terrier_service_dog]

@@sarahhebert4855 why if u don’t mind me asking?

[@morganmedley9863]

Every test we have taken so far you are not allowed to use any treats or leash corrections. It was a fail. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@lailahepburnandmischka]

I can't even imagine walking around holding the leash like that, pretty sure my arms would start hurting 😫

[@themediocregamer5869]

I felt that at first. now I just have it attached to my belt or wrapped around me so I have totally free hands most of the time. 7 months of work goes a long way. lol

[@brendabolin7178]

I thought you couldn't use the gentle leader on test

[@holybutterfliesSarah]

Thank you for this. I wondered what the ADI Public access Test looked like. We are on the right track!

[@stevenabasa5921]

i am from Sydney and i support dog training for blind people.. every month..

[@Tirryna]

They can do so much more, too! 😊🐶. Like alert to oncoming seizures, changes in blood sugar for diabetics, alert for an oncoming fainting spell for people with POTs, help shorten or stop mental illness attacks....and so much more!!! (REAL) Service doggos give independence to so many people!
I hope to get one soon to predict my partial seizures and help with my severe mental illness issues.

[@Smokeybluetheraccoon]

Thank you for this guide!

[@Hitech82]

You have a great Service Dog. You guys are working great together.
I can take my Service dog 🐕‍🦺 Dunkin threw all these activities. Without a single treat. He will just preform. Dunkin is a goldendoodle and is a super 🌟 star.

[@hildia5439]

Pupper is doing SO good! Extra bacon tonight!

[@everett356]

I thought the dog are not suppose to go to escalator because of paws safety or the paws might stock in escalator.

[@wolfieyboy1539]

Dogs can be taught how to safely ride an escalator. It takes some work but can be done.

[@lotrhpnmask]

its dangerous and risky to without booties every good sd team i have ever seen uses booties for there dog due to risk of fur toe etc can get caught. even if there taught to safley do so theres always a risk of an incident so not worth it. i consider it careless to not have booties be sure the dog is safe with or without training for it.

[@Beretta99]

Why does she hold it behind her back? What’s the purpose?

[@Boone22]

Not allowed to give treats during testing

[@mimip154]

Good job!

[@too_tired_for_this]

That store made me so claustrophobic!

[@coleackley2241]

I work at Ross’ and could tell that’s where you were by the shelves and the floor 😂😂

[@nataliechristensen420]

I use a hands free leash with a head collar with every outing. She can work just fine with a regular flat leash but not my preference. Would I have to use a regular leash to do the test or could I use a hands free leash?

[@Ella-de5in]

The dog is supposed to be on a leash, that's all that the rules state lil

[@Ella-de5in]

Lol*

[@nataliechristensen420]

@@Ella-de5in I’ve just never seen anyone do it on a hands free leash just thought to ask

[@Ella-de5in]

@@nataliechristensen420 nah you're good

[@DOGWOMAN55]

Are you allowed to use a training/control collar for the actual public access test? I noticed a redirect used / treat while the hand came forward to pet, is this allowed ?

[@aidenberzins]

You are not supposed to use any tools or devices that you would not use with your dog on every outing. Meaning if you plan on using a head collar during the test you are also expected to use the head collar when taking your service dog in public. However this field is still largely unregulated so it is not like you complete the test and someone is able to confirm what equipment you used.

[@aidenberzins]

I personally advise against the use of any aversive tools because the current science shows it is no more effective than not using them. But that they can be detrimental for service dogs in specific as we want our dogs to have intelligent disobedience which is difficult for a dog to understand with the use of aversive tools.

[@DOGWOMAN55]

@@aidenberzins hi, so you can use a control /training tool for the actual test?

[@DOGWOMAN55]

@@aidenberzins are you saying that 2 of the 4 quads of operant conditioning are scientifically less effective in controlling undesired behaviors , like pulling on leash or barking ?

[@DOGWOMAN55]

I have never heard of that perspective before as I would think that different scenarios would require different options.
My curiosity thus my question is why would a dog "trained" to the level of taking a public access test require the use of a aversive/consequence based/ correction tool?

[@Er3ctilereptile]

I have many questions. Us owner trainers are constantly threatened by companies wanting service dog law change (Canada) and swear to higher standards, but then I keep seeing dogs passing ADI tests with no acknowledgement of trivial things that need worked on (an example here is the dog appears to be in lala land most of the test), so truly, what is the standard of this test?

[@aidenberzins]

There isn't one. There should be a very clear criteria but each organization and trainer sees things slightly differently, or has different criteria completely. It also depends on each team a very close heel might not work for one team but might be necessary for another. The only standard that truly exist for any of this is that the dog is perceived as well behaved and unobtrusive in public.

[@DOGWOMAN55]

@@aidenberzins The problem with setting/requiring ANY standards is that ADA states that the only requirement in terms of service dog behavior is that the dog must not present as a nuisance. Which in itself is ambiguous to say the least. That might equate to a dog pulling on leash or overly excited dog should not be judged as a dog that is not a REAL service dog

[@sarahhebert4855]

yeah this "service dog" organization is a total joke. I live in the same city as them and I turn the other way when I see one of their dogs.

[@Er3ctilereptile]

@@sarahhebert4855 oh fuck, I’m sorry you have to deal with that

[@sd.lulu.multipurpose5306]

@@DOGWOMAN55 they don’t live in the US. The original commenter said Canada.

[@rogerniccoli219]

Pathetic, just a horrible handler. It started off wrong. Dog exiting from car in drivers seat. A sit cue and no compliance.

[@sarahhebert4855]

​@@maggiethedruid9010 yeah this "service dog" organization is a total joke. I live in the same city as them and I turn the other way when I see one of their dogs.

[@danielson_9211]

Always one Karen saying dogs not allowed err.

[@tamarindo323]

Vest...I need to buy like that one? What's its the site ?

[@marksarcevich9824]

WTF whats up with the mask ...?!?