What counts as a special task
A special task is a trained action of the dog, not any useful or pleasant behavior. Below are the criteria by which an action can be called a special task.
- The task is trained and is not incidental or innate behavior.
- It is performed on a cue, a change of context or a change in the handler's condition.
- It has a clear, observable result.
- It can be described in words and checked at assessment.
- It has a functional link to a specific need of the handler.
- It is not based solely on a subjective feeling.
- It is safe for the dog and for others.
Examples of task categories
Below are the general categories of special tasks. The list describes functional areas in general terms and is not a medical classification.
- Alerting.
- Responding.
- Finding or fetching an item.
- Help with orientation.
- Creating distance.
- Getting help.
- Interrupting a specific behavior.
- Help completing a sequence of actions.
What does not count as a special task by itself
These behaviors may be part of a dog's everyday life, but by themselves they are not a trained special task.
- Being nearby.
- General comfort.
- A hug without a trained cue.
- An ordinary walk.
- Calm behavior.
- Wearing a vest.
- Not barking.
- Performing the "sit" and "down" commands.
How tasks are chosen
- Tasks are formed individually for the specific team.
- The handler's real needs are taken into account.
- The dog's health and physical ability are taken into account.
- The number of tasks is not artificially increased.
- A task must be safe and practically usable in real conditions.
Checking a task
When checking a special task, what matters is not only the fact that it is performed but also how consistently it is reproduced.
- Conditions of performance.
- The cue on which the dog starts the action.
- Permitted prompts.
- Stability of performance.
- Performance in different conditions and environments.
- Ability to recover after a distraction.
- Recording the result in documentation.