Canine Life and Social Skills®

Self-Assessment
B.A. Curriculum
Score 1 Point for - Yay, we aced it!
Score yourself under this category if you
completed the skill exactly as described.
Score 2 Points for - Ooh, so close
Score yourself under this category if you were close
to achieving the set standard but needed to provide
an extra cue, or the leash went tight more than the
allotted times, or your dog lost focus for a brief time.
Score 3 Points for - That didn’t go well
Score yourself under this category if you and your dog struggled to
complete the skill as described. This would include having to use many
more cues than described, tight leash for majority of the exercise, or
your dog was highly distracted or unfocused during this exercise.

Skill Assessment
1. Wait at the Door
• Dog is asked to wait at the door in a sit, down or standing position until pet parent invites dog to 1 2 3
walk through. Dog waits in position with no more than 2 cues until released.
2. Come & Leashing Up Manners
• A: Dog is left with an assistant while Pet parent walks 10’ away. The assistant holds the dogs and pet
parent asks dog to come up to 2 times. Dog responds within 3 seconds and approaches the pet parent. 1 2 3
• B: Pet parent asks dog to sit or stand while long line is removed and 6’ leash attached. Dog
remains calm.
3. Loose-Leash Walking & Attention
• Dog is asked to walk on Loose Leash for 40’. Dog is asked to give 2 seconds of eye contact at any point 1 2 3
during the exercise. Leash may tighten up to 2 times with no more than 2 cues provided per behavior.
4. Meet & Greet
• Dog is asked to remain calm in either a sit, down or stand position while an assistant approaches the 1 2 3
pet parent. Assistant asks for permission to pet the dog, and if granted, the dog should accept the
petting in a calm manner (e.g., no jumping up, pawing, avoiding or backing away).
5. Leave It
• Pet parent walks with their dog by 1 item at 5’ and diverts dog’s attention. Pet parent can choose 1 2 3
between a toy, a full food bowl or a random item such as a crumpled piece of paper.
6. Wait for the Food Bowl
• Pet parent places a food bowl 5’ from the dog, and dog is asked to sit and wait for 3 seconds. Dog 1 2 3
may only approach food bowl once released.
7. Stay
• Dog is asked to remain in a sit or down stay while pet parent converses with an assistant for 30 1 2 3
seconds.
8. Settle
• Dog is asked to remain in a settle position on a mat or crate, in a semi-distracting environment while 1 2 3
pet parent sits next to dog for 30 seconds, providing no more than 2 reminders to stay. Dog may
engage with a Kong or chew toy during this exercise.
9. Give & Take
• Dog is provided a high-value item such as a rope toy or treat-filled Kong to chew on. Once engaged 1 2 3
with item, pet parent asks for dog to release it from his mouth. Dog should release item within 5
seconds and be provided no more than 2 cues to do so.

Grand Total

If you scored 9–11 Points
Congratulations! Your dog has successfully
learned all the Basic Canine Life and Social
Skills and your handling skills are awesome.
You are likely ready to join the M.A. level of
this program!
If you scored 12–18 Points
Great job! With a little more practice, you and your dog are
well on your way to gaining the Canine Life and Social Skills
set for this level. You may be eligible to join the M.A. level
of this program, but your trainer may want to evaluate you
before joining up to ensure you’re both ready.
If you scored 19–27 Points
Do not fret. Some dogs and handlers need a little
extra time to achieve these skills. You may benefit
from some private training sessions, or there is
no shame in repeating this level. Practice make
perfect after all.

©2019 The Association of Professional Dog Trainers