Demonstrating Confidence, Control and Reliability in Public
A well-trained assistance dog should be able to accompany its handler almost anywhere without causing disruption, drawing unnecessary attention or compromising public safety.
The AK9 Public Access Test has been designed to assess exactly that.
Rather than focusing on tricks or unnecessary obedience exercises, the assessment evaluates how well an assistance dog and handler work together in real-world environments.
Our aim is simple: to recognise assistance dog teams that demonstrate the high standards expected when accessing public places.
What Is a Public Access Test?
A Public Access Test is a practical assessment of how an assistance dog behaves whilst accompanying its handler in public.
The assessment considers the team as a whole.
We’re looking at the dog’s behaviour, the handler’s ability to manage the dog and how both work together in everyday situations.
The emphasis is on calm, controlled and responsible behaviour.
Why Is Public Access Important?
Assistance dogs are welcomed into places where pet dogs are normally not permitted.
With that privilege comes responsibility.
Members of the public, businesses and other assistance dog teams should be confident that every assistance dog behaves appropriately, remains under control and does not create unnecessary disruption.
The Public Access Test helps demonstrate those standards.
What Is Assessed?
Assessment may include:
- Loose lead walking
- Calm behaviour around members of the public
- Neutrality around other dogs
- Settling quietly
- Waiting politely
- Handler engagement
- Food refusal
- Environmental confidence
- Entering and leaving buildings
- Behaviour in cafés and restaurants
- Lifts and automatic doors where available
- General public manners
The assessment focuses on consistency throughout rather than isolated exercises.
Real-World Assessment
Unlike many obedience tests, the AK9 Public Access Test is designed around everyday life.
Depending on location, assessments may include environments such as:
- High streets
- Shopping centres
- Parks
- Cafés
- Restaurants
- Public transport
- Medical facilities
- Public buildings
Our aim is to ensure assistance dogs can confidently accompany their handlers wherever daily life takes them.
Who Can Take the Public Access Test?
The Public Access Test is available alongside the Bronze Award assessment.
Preparing for Success
Preparation begins long before assessment day.
Regular training in a wide variety of public environments helps develop confidence, reliability and consistency.
We also offer one-to-one assistance dog training to help handlers prepare for assessment and identify any areas requiring further development.
Why Choose the AK9 Public Access Test?
The AK9 Public Access Test has been designed around practical everyday life.
Rather than assessing dogs solely in controlled environments, we evaluate how they perform where it matters most, alongside members of the public.
The assessment is fair, practical and focused on encouraging responsible assistance dog ownership whilst maintaining high standards of behaviour.
Book Your Public Access Test
Whether you’re working towards the Bronze Assistance Dog Award or simply wish to demonstrate your dog’s public access skills, we’d be delighted to assess your team.
Our goal is to promote confident handlers, reliable assistance dogs and high standards of behaviour in public.