Therapy Dog Evaluation

DEMONSTRATING CONFIDENCE AND CONTROL, THE DOG MUST COMPLETE THESE 13 STEPS OF THE TDI TEST. 

Note: At check-in, before beginning Test 1, the owner must present a current rabies certificate and any other state or locally required inoculation certificates and licenses. Prior to being admitted to the evaluation, a brief temperament test will be performed on the dog by the evaluator. These advanced phase tests show how your dog reacts to various situations, making sure they’re well-behaved and obedient in different environments. Failing any of these tests means failing the entire evaluation. Dog and handler team will immediately be dismissed after failure. *

*Phase I: Basics** - Your dog should wear a non-corrective flat buckle collar or harness. - Use a 6 ft. leash. 

**Test #1: Check-in** - Put your dog in a heel position. - A coordinator checks the dog’s collar, grooming, and paws. - Fail if: Your dog pulls, jumps, acts aggressive or shy, or resists check. 

**Test #2: Brief Separation from Handler, your dog has to remain calm while left with another person.** - Sit down and place your dog in a ‘down’ posi- tion next to you. - A helper will ask to hold your dog’s leash. - Leave your dog with the helper for one minute while you go briefly away. - Fail if: Dog whines, barks, or tries to follow you. 

**Test #3: Walking Around People** - Walk your dog through a crowd. - Dog must be friendly and approachable. - Fail if: Pulling, jumping, shyness, aggression or not walking properly. 

**Test #4: Sit/Stay** - Dog must be asked to sit and stay. - Step to end of 6 ft. leash and wait for command to return. - Fail if: Dog doesn’t sit, stay, or wait for your return. 

**Test #5: Down/Stay** - Same as Test #4 but with dog in down/stay. - Fail if: Dog doesn’t stay down or wait for your return. 

**Test #6: Recall on 20 ft. Leash** - Dog must be put in a sitting position and fitted with a 20 ft. leash. - On command handler must leave dog and recall. - Fail if: Dog doesn’t stay or come when called. 

**Test #7: Socializing with people** - Dog should be open to petting and visiting. - Fail if showing: Shyness, aggression, jumping up, or not wanting to visit. **Phase II: Advanced Tests**

 **Test #8: Walk, Sit, Down, and Turns** - Dog Handler team must be walking in a straight line; on command the dog must sit or lie down. - Make right, left, and about turns. - Distractions: Person on crutches, or other health care equipment, loud noise, running person. - Fail if: Poor behavior, not obeying commands. 

**Test #9: Leave-It Part One** - Meet a person - Refuse a treat offered by the person. - Fail if: Dog licks or eats the treat. 

**Test #10: Leave-It Part Two** - Walk past food and water on the ground. - Dog must not lick, eat, or drink. - Fail if: Dog licks or eats the food or drinks the water. 

**Test #11: Meeting Another Dog** - Pass another dog and handler, engage in brief conversation. - Fail if: Your dog shows aggression or is disruptive. 

**Test #12: Entering Through a Door** - Put your dog in a sit, stand, or down position. - Enter the door. - Fail if: Dog doesn’t obey your command. 

**Test #13: Reaction to Children** -This test can only show us reactions to the presence of children since we do not allow physical contact with the unregistered dog. -Test number 13 will be given last and only if the dog/handler team has passed all other segments of the TDI test. -The children will be running and yelling, playing ball, dropping objects, and doing what children usually do while playing. a. The handler will walk with the dog past playing children. b. The dog must lie down beside the handler. c. The handler will simulate reading a book while the dog is lying down. d. The dog MUST have his back to the children. -Fail if: Any negative reaction of the dog like being startled (without recovery), aggressively barking, jumping up, growling, or lunging toward the children is an automatic failure. Testing requirements are subject to change without notice. 

ADDITIONAL RULES FOR TDI TESTING 1. Dogs must be tested on a plain buckle collar or harness. Training collars, training harnesses, halties, or any other corrective training devices are not permitted during testing or visiting as a TDIregistered Therapy Dog. 2. Handlers between 12 and 18 years of age must have a parent/legal guardian present. 3. Retired racing Greyhounds are not required to sit for TDI Testing. 4. TDI® will not test or register any dog that has bit- ten a human being. 5. TDI® will not test or register dogs which have been trained for basic obedience with a shock col- lar. 6. TDI® will not test or register dogs with a poor temperament. 7. TDI® will not test dogs under 1 year of age. 8. TDI® will not test dogs without proof of a current rabies vaccination and appropriate state license. 9. TDI® will not test or register active Service Dogs. 10. TDI® does not require evaluators to test potential dog/handler teams who behave or present themselves in an unruly or unprofessional manner. 11. TDI will not test dogs while in season. 12. TDI® does not permit the use of treats and/or treat bags during testing. 13. TDI® will immediately fail any dog which soils during testing. 14. TDI® will not register potential applicants who have their dogs registered with any type of Therapy Dog-related program, group, or organization other than TDI®.