Training your dog to an extremely high level as a working assistance dog is vital for the safety of you and your dog.
Having a plan to achieve this is very important. I will help you train your dog from the very first command to the final result of passing the Public Access Test with your dog.
Duration: 12 months/12 private sessions.
The standard program runs over 12 months with 12 private sessions. How they're spaced out depends on your team, often more frequent at the start, then spread out as your dog's skills improve. If you need more than 12 sessions, that can be arranged, but in most cases, consistent training between sessions is enough to get there.
If your dog has a high level of obedience, less than 12 sessions will be possible. I can cater the amount of training according to the dog and handlers ability. You can book private training depending on what you need help with, like teaching some of the more complex behaviors your dog need to learn.
Sessions start in controlled environments so you and your dog can learn without too much distraction. As you progress, we move into gradually more challenging scenarios, building the confidence to handle whatever comes up. Toward the end of the program, you'll train in every environment, including practice of the Public Access Test itself, so you're genuinely ready when it's time.
What your dog will learn
Every assistance dog needs to give physical support to their handler, whether that's retrieving items, interrupting behaviours connected to PTSD or anxiety, or other support tasks. We'll decide on the specific exercises together before training starts, and they can be adjusted as we go. You'll also learn how to keep progressing these exercises with your dog between sessions.
1. Register with PAT Dogs Australia
2. Complete the suitability assessment and Basic Canine Good Citizen test
3. Complete the Advanced Canine Good Citizen test
4. Complete the Public Access Test
Across the 12 months, your dog will also need to learn a minimum of three physical behaviours to assist you.
You decide what these are, PAT Dogs Australia provides paperwork with a list of options to choose from.
A therapy dog is different to an Assistance Dog.
A therapy dog is a dog that helps a person through therapeutic intervention. To do this, the dog needs to be trained but, unlike Assistance Dogs, this training doesn’t meet the legal standards for public access rights.
Animal assisted therapies use therapy dogs in clinical settings, such as hospitals but also community settings like schools.
Unlike emotional dogs and therapy dogs, Assistance Dogs have public access rights.
Public access rights are a legal right that give an animal access to most public spaces pets normally wouldn’t be allowed. This includes shopping centres, buses, trains and more. It also includes flying with an Assistance Dog on local and international airlines.
Not only are Assistance Dogs trained to specific requirements but they also need to go through a public access tests.
- 12 x 60min private sessions $2,800
- 5 week puppy program or Level 1 obedience program for dogs over 8 months old. This is an optional extra. $350
Fee's from PAT Dogs Australia
1st year
- Application Fee (includes First Assessment, Online course, and PAT Dogs ID card) $599
- Use of Authorised PAT Dogs Assistance Dog Wear – E.g. Jacket etc.
2nd year onwards
- Public Access Test $299
- Annual Renewal Fee $199
If you were to purchase a trained assistance dog prices can vary between $40,000 to $60,000. Apart from being significantly cheaper to train your own dog it is a better way to bond and learn along with your do.
Every assistance dog journey is different.
Get in touch to discuss your needs, your dog’s suitability and whether Jason’s 12-session training program is the right next step for you.
12 Denham St, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Dog Training: 0466 234 421
Doggy Daycare: 0401 520 749
Grooming: 0401 520 749