http://www.adionline.org has the test that is considered the gold standard all service dogs need to meet for public access work. this is the minium that is required for dogs exiting the reputable programs. samples of the minimum standards for their other training are here: http://www.adionline.org/Standards/servstand.html

this is the main org that sets standards for SD programs here and around the world. i urge all the members of my group to not just meet but exceed these, to go the extra mile, because as owner trainers we are expected to be below the standard of any program,but the reality is that there are more owner trained SDs than dogs from all the programs together. and all SD handlers are ambassadors- to those who see us, we represent all other SD teams,and the impression we make,for good or ill,will affect how people will treat the teams that will follow us. and how well i know this! there is a woman in our town who, when her guide dog died, just plopped the harness of the dead dog on their family pet,and goes around telling people she 'trained her own guide dog'. but this dog is notorious as a bad actor around our area,because it is dog aggressive, not trained in how to behave in public,etc.

....that is pretty much what i am left with- but tell that to my insides! *groan* ok,so i'm a mama hen type...i have worked hard to make that group one where people can feel safe and able to ask any questions they need to,and get any help that we can give. there are some really nasty people in the SD community who use this as something to further their own agenda,etc,and have hurt a lot a people in the process.

...i would love to take that test! but i can't find anyplace around here to do it,and can't afford to travel far,even if my health could manage it. is there any book or site with the requirements for that? from the little i have been able to find out,it sounds like it would be an excellent base for all SDs to be trained to, wether they compete or not....in some ways, it could be said that all SDs "compete'' each time they work in public...

Yikes! it disturbs me that none of the dogs are being Temperament Tested and are yet becoming certified Service Dogs.

The two Service Dog organizations I worked with ALWAYS TT'ed ALL of their dogs that came in. Puppies were also tested and aptitude tested.

i agree 110%! that is one reason i do all i can with the folks in my group- to do what i can to put the best possible info into their hands that i can find, show them the standard that we need to work toward. i have a number of automatic sends that go out to new members,and once a month, listing things like the info i just posted here, recommened books,and such. but incredibly, there are many people who fight the very idea of their being any kind of national minimum standards required,or ID ---i find this hard to understand,since everyone has to have a licence to drive, most disabled have a handicap hangtag,....why buck at something that will protect they and their SDs?

Quote:And having been in Medicine for several years in the past,I'll just hold my comment about "psychiatric service dogs" to myself......

I was going to have you train one for me Will. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> If I can get a choice of dogs, could it be a panda GSD?

Jeff, the first panda Will trains is mine. And, sorry, friend, but I think you may be too far gone anyway... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

i don't want to get into a fight over this,but PSDs are legally accepted as legitimate service dogs,and many owe their lives to them,including myself.

Jeff was making a joke, Gail, and then I made a joke to him; that wasn't really what we were talking about. Do you know anything about "Panda Shepherds?" Panda Shepherds are funny on their own; add Will training one into the mix, it's VERY funny, then picture Will training one for Jeff to use as a psych service dog, and well, that's hilarious. I don't think this had anything to do with you, unless I'm missing something, but it was my post you replied to. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I was definately making fun of Panda GSD's, The thread was about white GSD's doing service work, so it was a joke about the dog. If I have offended anyone, I am sorry. I was making fun of the Panda GSD's.