Recognising a Trained Assistance Dog
The Bronze Assistance Dog Award is the entry point into the AK9 Assistance Dog Standards, but don’t mistake “entry point” for “beginner”.
To achieve the Bronze Award, your dog must already demonstrate the standard expected of a trained assistance dog. This includes reliable obedience, appropriate public behaviour and the ability to accompany its handler confidently in everyday life.
Bronze isn’t about teaching the basics.
It’s about recognising that both handler and dog have reached a standard worthy of being assessed.
A Practical Standard
The Bronze Award has been designed around real life.
Rather than asking dogs to perform unnecessary exercises in artificial environments, we assess the skills genuinely required of an assistance dog working alongside its handler every day.
We’re looking for dogs that are:
- Calm
- Confident
- Reliable
- Responsive
- Safe around members of the public
- Comfortable in busy environments
- A pleasure to live and work alongside
What Is Assessed?
The Bronze Award assesses the foundations expected of every assistance dog.
This includes:
- Loose lead walking
- Reliable obedience
- Sit, Down and Stay
- Handler engagement
- Neutrality around people
- Neutrality around dogs
- Waiting politely
- Settling quietly
- Public manners
- Environmental confidence
- Appropriate behaviour in public places
Public access forms part of the Bronze Award from the very beginning.
More Than Passing a Test
The Bronze Award isn’t simply about completing a list of exercises.
We’re assessing the relationship between handler and dog.
We’re looking for confidence, communication and reliability throughout the assessment.
Our aim is to recognise assistance dog teams capable of working safely and responsibly in everyday life.
Progressing Beyond Bronze
Achieving Bronze demonstrates that your dog has reached the standard expected of a trained assistance dog.
From there, handlers can continue progressing through the Silver and Gold Awards, developing even greater reliability, confidence and advanced working skills.
Training never truly stops.
Every great assistance dog continues learning throughout its working life.
Ready for Assessment?
If you believe your dog already demonstrates the qualities expected of a trained assistance dog, we’d be delighted to assess your team for the Bronze Assistance Dog Award.