Training and assessment standards — GAV International Service Dog Training

1. Purpose of the standards

How the standards are applied

Apply to all teamsThe requirements are the same for all of the school's teams regardless of training format.
A course alone does not guarantee a certificateCompleting a training program is not the same as successfully passing the assessment.
The decision is made on the final assessmentCertification is possible only on the results of a final assessment carried out under the protocol.
Both the dog and the handler are assessedThe protocol checks not only the dog's behavior but also the owner's ability to control it.
Safety and welfare are mandatoryNo result is counted at the expense of people's safety or the dog's welfare.
Critical errors lead to a failCertain violations lead to an automatic fail — see section 4.

2. Seven assessment sections

A team's final assessment consists of seven sections; each is assessed separately.

Section 1

Basic control

Moving alongside the handler.
Performing commands.
Recall.
Stay.
Leash control.

Section 2

Social stability

Reaction to strangers.
Reaction to children.
Reaction to other dogs.
Reaction to touch.
Reaction to unexpected contact.

Section 3

Resilience to the environment

Reaction to noise.
Behavior on transport.
Doors and elevators.
Queues.
Unfamiliar surfaces.

Section 4

Calm presence next to the handler

Waiting next to the handler.
Staying under a table.
No begging.
No intrusive behavior.
Ability to stay calm for a long time.

Section 5

Performing special tasks

Accuracy of performance.
Timeliness.
Repeatability of the result.
Link to the owner's functional limitations.
Performance in different conditions.

Section 6

Handler control

Safe handling of the dog.
Understanding the dog's behavior.
Correct reaction to mistakes.
Compliance with the school's rules.
Ability to maintain skills.

Section 7

Dog welfare

No marked stress.
Normal recovery after exertion.
No pain.
Voluntary participation in tasks.
Adequate workload throughout the assessment.

3. Possible results

The assessment outcome is one of six statuses.

PassedThe team met the requirements in all seven assessment sections.

Passed with conditionsThe requirements are generally met, but an additional check is scheduled within a set period on one or more points.

Additional training requiredIndividual skills do not meet the standard; the program continues under an adjusted plan.

Reassessment requiredThe result is not sufficient for a final decision; a repeat assessment is scheduled after additional training.

Not passedThe team does not meet the school's standards; certification is not granted on the results of this assessment.

Program temporarily suspendedThe assessment or program is suspended for safety or dog welfare reasons until the circumstances are clarified.

4. Critical errors

Automatic fail of the assessment

A bite or attempted bite.
Aggression toward a person or an animal.
Serious loss of control of the dog.
Marked panic.
Inability to recover from stress.
Dangerous behavior.
Lack of toilet control during the assessment.
Rough treatment of the dog by the handler.
Signs of pain or illness that make continuing the assessment unsafe.
Performing tasks only after repeated prompts.

5. Unacceptable behavior in public settings

Uncontrolled barking.
Jumping on people.
Begging.
Eating food from the floor.
Chasing animals.
Constant pulling on the leash.
Intrusive sniffing.
Toileting in an inappropriate place.
Marked fear.
Inability to wait calmly.

Important. A single technical error does not always mean failure. Seriousness, repetition and the handler's reaction are taken into account.

6. How the final assessment works

01

Checking the team's details

02

Checking the dog's health

03

Basic control

04

Checking in a public setting

05

Checking special tasks

06

Assessing the handler

07

Assessing welfare

08

Filling in the protocol

09

Reviewing the result

10

Certification decision

7. Independence of the assessment

Where possible, the final assessment is conducted by a specialist who was not the team's primary trainer. If that is impossible, the trainer's involvement and any possible conflict of interest are recorded in the protocol.

8. Reassessment

The date of the final assessment is recorded in the register.
The date of the next reassessment is shown in the register.
The school may schedule an early check.
A complaint or incident may be grounds for reassessment.
Missing a mandatory reassessment may lead to suspension of the certificate.

Frequency. The frequency is set by GAV's current Reassessment Policy.

9. Grounds for refusing certification

Grounds for refusal. Behavioral standards not met; special tasks not confirmed; the dog experiences excessive stress; the handler cannot safely control the dog; inaccurate information was provided; the program's requirements were not met; continuing work contradicts the dog's welfare.

10. Appeal

The client may request a written explanation of the result.
May provide additional materials.
May file an appeal.
The decision and its review are recorded.
Filing an appeal does not automatically cancel the result.

11. Sample protocol

A sample of a completed protocol. The data is hypothetical and given only to illustrate the format.

Sample final assessment protocol
Section	Result
Basic control	Passed
Social stability	Passed
Resilience to the environment	Needs improvement
Calm presence	Passed
Special tasks	Passed
Handler control	Passed
Dog welfare	Passed

Outcome (sample). Passed with conditions — repeat check of resilience to the environment.

Want to learn more about programs and verification?

Training programs, dog welfare and certificate verification — on the pages below.

Training programs Dog welfare Document verification