Source+7

Froling, J. (2003, October 29). //Assistance dog tasks //. Retrieved from http://www.sterlingservicedogs.org/Articles/AssistanceDogTasks/tabid/83/Default.aspx

__Facts:__

 1. Service dogs need to be proficient in obstacle avoidance, signalling changes in elevation, locating objects on command, and retrieving items. 2. Hearing dogs are trained to alert their person of sounds by touching either nose nudge or pawing. 3. Service dogs usually receive 6 months to a year of training in obedience, tasks, and public access manners. 4. Service dogs are trained in all types of medical crisis's and evacuation procedures. 5. Service dogs are taught to perform 50+ tasks on command
 * The human partner makes most of the decisions for the team, giving the dog directions and determining, after listening to the flow of traffic, the most optimal time to cross each street.
 * A dog does not have the reasoning power to comprehend the inherent danger in traffic.
 * The net effect of the conditioning, however, is a habitual reaction from the dog to specific stimuli which substantially improves team safety
 * Obstacle Avoidance, Signaling Changes in Elevation and Locating Objects.
 * Some handlers put in extra work on "Find" command tasks with very impressive results. While a few owner trainers and private trainers include retrieving in a guide dog's repertoire, the guide dog schools no longer teach it as a mandatory skill, so it has been listed under the title, "Other Possible Tasks."
 * Navigate around stationary obstacles like a lamp post, parking meters, pillars
 * Navigate around hazards like an open manhole and deep potholes
 * Navigate around low hanging obstacles like awnings or a tree branch to avoid a collision
 * Avoid moving objects such as bicycles, people, strollers, shopping carts, wheelchairs
 * Leash guiding around obstacles indoors or outdoors for a short distance
 * Intelligent Disobedience as in refusing a command to go forward into the road if there is oncoming traffic or intersecting traffic in the team's path. The dog is also trained to halt, abruptly, rather than collide with a vehicle that intersects the team's path when it enters the intersection during the team's crossing