WHAT MAKES A GOOD ASSISTANCE DOG?

RAD accepts dogs into our training programme which are between the ages of 9 months to under 5 Years old.

We do not guarantee that any dog will be assessed as suitable to join our training or that any dog which is accepted will successfully complete our programme.

We accept both dogs which the owner has had from a puppy and rescue dogs, so long as we assess them as suitable.

RAD's training focuses on the skills needed to be an assistance dog, so dogs joining the programme need to have already achieved a basic level of training and be of the right temperament for assistance work, with no identified behavioural problems.

Below are some general qualities that are considered essential for an assistance dog:

• In good health and fully vet checked.
• Calm temperament.
• Confident in different surroundings.
• Friendly towards people, with no reactivity, but able to ignore people whilst working.
• Happy to be handled by multiple people.
• Able to train around other dogs without interacting with them.
• Does not guard resources, such as toys, food or their handler.
• Tolerant of unusual sights, sounds and smells.
• Able to settle for extended periods of time.