Although starting younger is preferred, adult dogs can also make the cut to be service dogs if they have appropriate temperaments. Since they have acquired some conditional temperments already and personality traits the scope of testing is much wider and should be done over several days with a professional. Below we have created what we see fit as our standard of apporiate tempement for an adult dog being assessed to work
Approaches evaluator with calm curiosity
Allows gentle handling (ears, paws, tail)
Expected: Neutral to positive
Disqualify: Avoidance, extreme fear, growling, stiffening
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
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
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.
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.
Stranger approaches casually and speaks.
Ideal: Neutral, polite, minimal excitement.
Disqualify: Fear aggression, avoidance, overexcitement that cannot be redirected.
Evaluator touches paws, tail, belly, mouth.
Ideal: Accepts calmly.
Concerning: Tension or avoidance.
Disqualify: Growling, snapping, biting.
Present food bowl, high-value treat, and a toy.
Ideal: Allows removal or redirection without conflict.
Disqualify: Guarding, growling, stiffening, biting.
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
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
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
Stable, neutral, biddable, healthy, manageable energy, safe.
Minor reactivity, inconsistent focus, or slight environmental hesitation.
Aggression, severe reactivity, chronic fear, major health issues, inability to maintain task focus, handler aggression.