Assistance Dog Temperament Assessments: Is Your Dog Ready?

Before advancing to the higher stages of assistance dog training, every dog in our programme must pass a Temperament Assessment. This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s a vital part of ensuring that your dog has the right temperament to safely and successfully work as an assistance dog in public.

Below, we’ll walk you through what the assessment includes, what it’s not looking for, how to find the right trainer, and what happens if things change down the line.

🌟 Why the Temperament Assessment Matters

Assistance dogs must remain calm, focused, and reliable in public, even when faced with distractions or unexpected interactions. This assessment helps us ensure your dog is emotionally prepared to handle that responsibility, without fear, frustration, or reactivity.

The minimum age for temperament assessments is 9 months. This is the minimum and not necessarily the goal. Some dogs may need time to mature before they will be ready for a temperament assessment.

🔍 What the Assessment Looks At

The assessment focuses solely on temperament, not training. That means the assessor won’t be judging your dog’s ability to sit, walk nicely on lead, or respond to cues. Instead, they’ll observe how your dog naturally responds to the world around them. This also means you won't be able to distract your dog with food during the assessment.

Here’s what will be assessed:

• Behaviour around unfamiliar dogs and people Does your dog remain calm? Do they show signs of fear, overexcitement, or stress? Are they vocal or reactive? Are there concerns about dogs approaching your dog when they're on the lead? How does your dog respond when a stranger reaches out to touch them?

• Reactions to being approached Can someone walk up to you and your dog without triggering barking, growling, or signs of stress?

• Coping in public spaces Your dog will be observed in everyday environments—walking near roads, going into shops, etc.—to assess their comfort level and stress responses.

• General temperament The trainer will give an overall evaluation of your dog’s personality and suitability for assistance dog work.

• A gentle mock vet check Your dog should be able to tolerate having their ears, paws, tail, eyes, and legs gently handled without stress or aggression.

🚫 What It Doesn’t Assess

This is not a test of your dog’s obedience or training level. Things like pulling on the lead, jumping up, or lack of focus are not reasons to fail. We’re looking purely at how your dog feels, not what they’ve learned.

✅ What Happens After the Assessment?

At the end, the trainer will mark your dog as either:

• Ready – Your dog is suitable to continue into the advanced stages of training

• Not Ready – There are concerns to address before continuing; you’ll be invited to retake the assessment in 3 months

If your dog is marked Not Ready, your trainer can provide guidance on what to work on next.

If your dog barks at other dogs for any reason during the assessment, they will be automatically marked as Not Ready.

🔁 What If My Dog’s Behaviour Changes Later?

Temperament can shift over time—especially through adolescence. If your dog develops new behaviours such as:

• Reactivity toward people or dogs

• Increased fear or stress in public

• Aggressive behaviour

• Overwhelming excitement that leads to vocalisation or frustration

• A change in behaviour after a negative interaction with a dog or person

...you must pause any public access training immediately and schedule a new temperament assessment. This is essential for maintaining the safety and credibility of our programme—and, most importantly, for your dog’s welfare. Your dog will not be able to progress with their next award without a valid temperament assessment.

👩‍🏫 Who Can Do the Assessment?

You may choose any local force-free trainer to carry out your dog's temperament assessment. That means:

✅ Trainers who use positive reinforcement methods❌ No “balanced” trainers or anyone who uses prong collars, choke chains, or e-collars✅ Ideally someone with experience working with assistance dogs or behaviour assessments

If your chosen trainer is unsure or needs support, they’re welcome to contact Mike Newland directly at 07585 026255.

📨 Submitting the Assessment

Once completed, your trainer can email the form directly to: info@adolescentdogs.com

💬 Final Thoughts

This assessment is not about perfection—it’s about emotional readiness. Every dog progresses at their own pace, and needing more time is perfectly okay. What matters most is building a partnership based on safety, calmness, and trust.

If you have any questions before your assessment, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you.