Taking an Excellent Assistance Dog Even Further
The Silver Assistance Dog Award builds upon the standards already demonstrated at Bronze.
By this stage your dog should already be a reliable assistance dog.
Silver is about refinement.
Greater consistency.
Higher expectations.
More challenging environments.
Whilst Bronze recognises a trained assistance dog, Silver develops that partnership even further.
Developing Greater Reliability
Real life isn’t predictable.
Busy town centres.
Crowded cafés.
Children.
Unexpected distractions.
Silver focuses on maintaining exceptional standards regardless of what’s happening around you.
We’re looking for dogs that remain calm, composed and focused even when the environment becomes more demanding.
Areas of Development
Training may include:
- Advanced obedience
- Longer duration exercises
- Higher distraction levels
- Improved neutrality
- More complex public environments
- Greater handler focus
- Advanced impulse control
- Increased environmental confidence
- Improved precision
- Consistent reliability
The emphasis is on producing an assistance dog capable of performing to a high standard wherever life takes you.
Continuing to Improve
One of the principles behind the AK9 Assistance Dog Standards is that training should never stop.
Silver encourages handlers to continue challenging themselves and their dogs rather than becoming complacent after achieving Bronze.
The result is a more dependable assistance dog and an even stronger partnership.
Progressing to Gold
Silver prepares teams for the highest level within the AK9 Assistance Dog Standards.
By continuing to improve obedience, confidence and consistency, handlers develop the skills needed to work towards Gold.
Apply for the Silver Assistance Dog Award
If you’ve successfully achieved the Bronze Award and are ready to take your training to the next level, we’d love to assess your progress.