1. Sociability & Neutrality

• Approaches evaluator with calm curiosity

• Allows gentle handling (ears, paws, tail)

• Expected: Neutral to positive

• Disqualify: Avoidance, extreme fear, growling, stiffening

2. Biddability & Handler Engagement

Ask for sit, down, touch, and recall.
Ideal:

• Quick engagement

• soft body language

• Recovers from failure (e.g., a missed cue)

• Shows willingness to try

Concerning:

• Shutdown behavior

• Handler avoidance

• Refusing cues due to stress

3. Startle Response & Recovery

Drop keys or a metal bowl 6–8 ft behind the dog.
Ideal:

• Brief startle

• Immediate or rapid recovery

• Shows curiosity or neutrality

Disqualify:

• Prolonged fear response

• Attempting to flee

• Aggressive response toward the sound

4. Environmental Stability

Expose dog to:

• Slippery floor

• Steps or ramps

• Narrow walkway

• Busy outdoor sidewalk

Ideal: Moves confidently with slight or no hesitation.
Concerning: Extreme hesitation, freezing, fleeing.

5. Dog Distraction Test

Walk dog past a neutral dog at 8–10 ft distance.
Ideal: Small glance, maintains focus on handler.
Concerning: Persistent pulling, whining, hyperfixation.
Disqualify: Lunging, barking, aggressive posturing.

6. Human Stranger Test

Stranger approaches casually and speaks.
Ideal: Neutral, polite, minimal excitement.
Disqualify: Fear aggression, avoidance, overexcitement that cannot be redirected.

7. Handling Sensitivity

Evaluator touches paws, tail, belly, mouth.
Ideal: Accepts calmly.
Concerning: Tension or avoidance.
Disqualify: Growling, snapping, biting.

8. Resource Neutrality

Present food bowl, high-value treat, and a toy.
Ideal: Allows removal or redirection without conflict.
Disqualify: Guarding, growling, stiffening, biting.

9. Health & Physical Soundness Check

Dog must meet health standards to begin or continue service work.
Includes:

• Body condition score 4–6/9 BODY CONDITIONING SCORE

• Orthopedic soundness

• Up-to-date vet care

• Clear vision & hearing

• No chronic unmanaged conditions

Disqualify:

• Severe orthopedic issues

• Unstable medical conditions

• Inability to safely perform required tasks
  
  

10. Humane Reactivity Assessment

Expose dog to:

• A person with a cane

• A rolling cart

• A noisy environment

Ideal: Maintains composure, brief curiosity allowed.
Disqualify:

• Lunging, barking, snapping

• Severe fear response

• Inability to recover
  
  

11. Willingness to Work & Endurance

Short 5–7 minute working session with tasks and obedience.
Ideal:

• Motivated

• Focused

• Smooth task completion

• Enjoys working

Concerning:

• Easily frustrated

• Refuses cues due to stress

• Avoids handler

Disqualify:

• Shutdown

• Aggression toward handler

• Complete disengagement
  
  

ADULT DOG RESULT CATEGORIES

Pass (Suitable for Service Work)

Stable, neutral, biddable, healthy, manageable energy, safe.

Conditional Pass (Re-evaluate after training)

Minor reactivity, inconsistent focus, or slight environmental hesitation.

Fail (Not Suitable)

Aggression, severe reactivity, chronic fear, major health issues, inability to maintain task focus, handler aggression.