The Scottish Assistance Dog Association

Task Foundation Award

​

Aim

This award aims to encourage handlers to train and prepare their dog for their individual tasks. There are 9 named foundation task behaviours and handlers should choose the 6 most relevant to the finished tasks for their dogs. This should give them a good basis to build their task behaviours.  Two exercises can then be marked as Not Required. (N/R)  Exercise 10 is mandatory.

 

Eligibility

Dogs must be a member of the Scottish ADA Assistance Dog Programme. They must have already passed the Kennel Club Bronze Award or equivalent to take this assessment.

 

Standard Required

Examiners should ensure that dogs are carrying out the foundation exercises satisfactorily.

 

The Test

May be done singly or in groups. Dogs will either pass or be deemed not ready for each exercise.   Dogs passing all exercises will receive a certificate from the Scottish Assistance Dog Association for an Award in Foundation Tasks

 

Description of Exercises

 

Exercise 1 – Push with paw.

The dog should show pushing a button, bell, or other similar item. The handler may supply the item.

 

Exercise 2 – Target/Touch with nose.

The dog should be cued by the handler and should touch a hand or other designated object with their nose. The handler may supply the object.

 

Exercise 3 - Pull with mouth.

The dog should pull a cord, string or similar when cued. The handler may supply the pull item.

 

Exercise 4 – Alert behaviour.

The dog should perform an alert behaviour to either a verbal or nonverbal cue. The alert can be whatever suitable behaviour the handler decides appropriate. If a bark alert, where possible it should be short and as quiet as it can effectively be.

 

Exercise 5 - Hold

The dog should pick an item up on cue and take it to their handler. The handler can supply the item and it may be a toy.

 

Exercise 6 - Drop

The dog should drop an item they are holding. This may be into their handler’s hands or onto the ground. The handler can supply the item and it may be a toy. This exercise may be done in combination with exercise 5 or separately.

 

Exercise 7 – Go To

On cue the dog should move away from the handler to either another person or other target object. This may include a cone, bed, or another object the handler supplies.

 

Exercise 8 - On

The dog when cued by the handler should get onto something. This may be the handler’s knee, a couch, front paws up on something or another similar thing.

 

Exercise 9 – Chin rest

The dog when cued by the handler either verbally or nonverbally should rest their chin on the handler’s body.

 

Exercise 10 – Name 3 tasks that are going to be trained and explain how they will help the handler.

The handler should be able to name three behaviours that they are going to teach. For each they should describe how they are going to teach it and what the cue for each task will be. They should then say a little on how this will help their daily life.