Ausshole Academy

DOG TALENT ASSOCIATION

PART THREE

THE HELPER

As with the Thinker titles please refer to Dog Talent Association  for rules and regulations.

Here are the tricks for the helper titles.  

NOVICE HELPER

1 Close the door On cue dog closes a door using paws. Repeat 3 times. 

2 Ring the bell Dog rings the bell either using its mouth/nose or paw. The bell can be hanging or on the floor as a button.

3 Make it better Dog responds to handlers crying by coming and trying to console by licking, nosing or other positive means to stop the crying 

4 Kiss Dog gives the handler a kiss on cue by licking or touching handler’s cheek with their nose. 

5 Bark Dog gives a single bark on cue 

6 Fetch Dog brings a thrown object and delivers it to hand. 

7 Give a hug On cue dog approaches and places both feet on handler shoulders. The handler is in kneeling, squatting position or sitting on the floor to be at the dog’s level. Maintain the hug for at least 2 seconds. 

8 Catch it On cue dog gets ready and catches a toy thrown towards it.

9 Hold Handler gives the dog an object or a toy to hold. The dog holds the object in their mouth for 5 seconds and then releases it to the handler’s hand on command. Demonstrate with 3 different objects. 10 Tug Dog tugs on a rope on handler’s cue. 

11 Hand signals novice Dog performs 3 different tricks on silent hand signals from the handler. The ticks can be from any category. 

12 Press the button Dog uses paw or nose to press an easy large button which is within easy reach of the dog.

13 Go right Dog on a verbal command from the handler without hand cue goes right for at least a 3 steps or turns right 

14 Go left Dog on a verbal command from the handler without a hand cue goes left for at least 3 steps or turns right 

15 Fetch remote Dog fetches the remote, brings it to handler and delivers to hand 

16 Quiet Dog stops barking 

17 Pick up Dog picks up the object and d holds it for at least 2 seconds 

18 Make friends On command dog places head onto the helper’s or handler’s lap and keeps it there for at least 2 seconds 

19 Dig On command dog makes some digging movement on the ground 

20 Get in the car Dog gets in to the car without pulling or resistance 

21 Cross road safely Dog sits down by the road crossing and stays sited on a loose lead until the handler gives the cross the road command. Then dog walks quietly on a loose lead without pulling or stopping next to the handler across the road 

22 Distance work novice Dog performs 3 tricks at a distance of approximately 5m away from the handler. Voice or hand commands or both are allowed. Any tricks are permitted 

23 Bring your leash On command dog brings handler the leash and gives it to hand 

24 Light up the way Dog carries a switched on torch in it’s mouth while walking next to handler for 10 steps. The dog needs to be next to handler on the lead or off the lead, but not necessary in the heel position. At the end of the exercise dog gives the torch to handler’s hand 

25 Mop the floor Dog takes the mop on a handle and moves the mop across the floor several times 

26 Close sliding drawer Dog uses the nose or paw to push closed a sliding drawer. 

27 Pull untie shoelaces Dog carefully pulls to untie single bow tied shoelaces 

28 Do the dusting Dog holding dusting cloth in it’s mouth moves it across raised surface to “dust”

29 Relaxed heel Dog walks at heel position maintaining contact with handler’s leg but with a relaxed natural head position 

30 Speak quietly On cue dog makes a quiet whisper bark like sound. Repeat twice 

31 Selfie On cue the dog gets itself into a position behind the handler with the head over the handler’s shoulder and looks in the same direction a the handler- as if ready for a selfie photo 

32 Play piano On cue the dog puts the front paws onto a piano or keyboard and lifts them up and down pressing the keys several times 

33 Play guitar On cue the dog puts its paw and strokes guitar or similar sting musical instrument strings creating a sound. Repeat 3 times 

34 Bring your food bowl On cue dog brings the handler its food bowl and delivers to hand 

35 Wait for your meal Dog waits by the food bowl until its given a permission by the handler to eat

ADVANCED HELPER

1 Open the door Dog opens the door by pulling on a rope or a string attached to it. 

2 Pull along Dog takes in its mouth a rope or a string to pull along an object. The object can be on wheels or not, and be of appropriate weight for the dog. The dog needs to pull the object for at least 5 steps. 

3 Put it inside Dog picks up an object or toy and puts it inside an open box or container without a lid. 

4 Stack the rings Dog pick up and puts a ring onto a ring pole which it either vertical on the ground or horizontal at easy dogs reach. Repeat three times. The handler can repeat the cue for each ring. 

5 Deliver a message Take a paper with a message to a specific person known to the dog, who is in nearby, but not in the same room. 

6 Unroll the mat On cue dog unrolls a rolled up mat, rug or similar by pushing with its nose. 

7 Carry it Dog carries the given object (which must not be dog’s toy or food) for at least 10 steps, then gives it to hand when requested. The object must not be dropped and needs to be carried with care. 

8 Push along Dog puts two front paws on a moving object and pushes it along for at least 5 steps. 

9 Wait and fetch Dog watches the handler throwing the object and stays with the handler until instructed to go and fetch. Dog needs to wait at least for 2 seconds after the object stopped moving before being sent to fetch. Dog delivers the object to hand and waits until the handler takes the object. 

10 Wipe your paws Dog on cue wipes paws by moving them several times on a cloth, tower or a mat as per the handler instructions. 

11 Hand signals advanced Dog performs 6 different skills on hand signals from the handler. The skillss can be from any category. 

12 Sustained hold of the nose to target Dog holds the nose to target for 3 seconds. 

13 Roll me the ball The handler sends the dog to a ball which is at least 2 meters away, dog using nose or paw pushes the ball to the handler. Dog must not pick up the ball with its mouth. 

14 Pass the ball The handler sits with the dog opposite each other, on cue dog pushes with the nose the ball to the handler, then the handler rolls the ball back to the dog. Perform the sequence of the passing the ball 3 times. 

15 Brush me Dog on command picks up hair/clothes brush and attempts to brush the handler using horizontal or vertical movements. Perform at least 3 brushing movements. 

16 Tidy remote The handler hands the dog the remote and the dog goes and places it in its usual place. 

17 Tidy slippers The handler gives dog slippers and the dog takes them to their usual place. 

18 Find the keys Dog finds the keys and brings them to the handler. Dog gives the keys to the handler’s hand. 

19 Take off my socks Dog takes off the handler’s socks with care. 

20 Unzip my jacket Dog unzips the handler’s jacket by taking the free hanging part of the zip into its mouth and gently pulling down.  

21 Blanket me The handler is in sitting or lying position, on command dog pulls one side of a blanket over the handler to cover. Its OK if the handler is not properly covered up in the end 

22 Search the house On command dog goes around the house checking each room for intruders 

23 Door bell Dog goes to the handler and alerts him/her when the door bell rings 

24 Distance work advanced Dog performs 6 tricks at a distance of approximately 5m away from the handler. Voice or hand commands or both are allowed. Any tricks are permitted 

25 Stay with me On command the dog walks next to the handler off the leash but not necessary in the heel position not giving into temptation to run to other dogs or respond to any other distractions such as toys or other person calling the dog 

26 Turn the lights on and off Dog presses the lights switch button either on the wall or on the floor level with its paws or nose to switch on and off the lights on command. The pulling type switch is also acceptable alternative. In either case the handler needs to ensure safety of the dog. 

27 Roll back the mat Dog rolls back the unrolled mat, rug or similar by pushing it with its nose and head or by gently and purposely using paws. The mat does not need to be rolled back neatly 

28 Pack yourself On cue dog slides into unzipped suitcase, bag or box and lowers it’s head so dog is no longer visible (or practically invisible) 

29 Bring the slippers On cue dog brings the handler a matching pair of shoes or slippers from their usual location. 

30 Unload the washing machine On cue the dog takes items of clothing out of the opened washing machine and puts them into a laundry box or delivers to handler. Repeat with at least 3 items 

31 Stack the dishwasher Dog helps to put items into an opened dishwasher. The items should be appropriate and safe for the dog to handle and the handler needs to be fully managing the safety. Demonstrate with 3 items 

32 Water with a watering can On cue the dog picks up the watering can, carries it to the place indicated by the handler and leans it slightly in the direction of the nozzle and pretend waters from it. The can does no need to contain any water and it needs to be of appropriate size for the dog. 

33 Water with a hose On cue dog picks up and carries the end of the watering hose to the indicated location and holds it while the water comes out of it. The hose can be on or off when the dog carries it 

34 Retrieve from water On cue the dog retrieves an object from water and delivers it to handler’s hand. The dog needs to get into the the water but does not need to swim 

35 Retrieve from under the water On cue the dog retrieves an object from under the water requiring the dog to fully submerge its head under the water 

36 Hold food item and release Dog is given a food item to hold by the handler and it will hold it in its mouth gently without attempting to eat it for at least 3 seconds, then it releases it back to handler. 

37 Peg onto a line Dog is given (or it picks up) a clothes peg, presses it open and attached onto a line. Demonstrate with 3 pegs 

38 Get a drink out of the fridge On cue dog opens the fridge, pick up a can or bottle and brings it to the handler and closes the fridge door unless it closes automatically by itself. The handler can give the dog the second command for the dog to close the fridge. 

39 Get the mail On cue the dog goes to the mail box and brings the post to the handler and closes the mailbox unless it closes by itself. The handler can give the second command for the dog to close the mailbox.

EXPERT HELPER

1 Stack the cups Dog pick up stacking cups one by one and places each neatly inside the others or on the top of the others, stacking them all up. Must do at least 3 cups. 

2 Sort things out Dog picks objects from the floor and sorts them into relevant 2 boxes according to handler’s verbal instructions, at least 6 different objects. This could be plastic vs metal for recycling, dog toys vs clothes, balls vs everything else etc. 

3 Bring me On a verbal cue dog brings the requested object out of the choice of at least five objects, repeat 3 times with different objects. All objects are stationary at the point of command and are not thrown for the dog to fetch. 

4 Tidy up Dog opens up dog’s toy box or any other box, picks up at least 3 toys or objects, one by one, puts them into the box and closes the lid. The lid can be of any design. 

5 Go and call On request dog goes to the named family member or a familiar person and nudges or barks at them or uses another safe and clear communication method until they follow the dog to you. The handler needs to tell before the start of the exercise what is the dog’s way of letting the other person know that they are being called. Dog needs to perform the whole sequence on its own after the first cue. 

6 Carry at heel position Dog carries an object while remaining at handler’s heel position. Together they need to walk for 8 steps, make 180 degrees turn and walk back 8 steps. Dog must remain at the heel position and carry the object with care. Object is then released to the handler’s hand. 

7 Find the object with handler scent Handler briefly holds an object that is then placed at an equal  distance of one foot apart among 5 other objects. Dog must not see which object the handler touched. Dog needs to find and clearly indicate the object with handler’s scent on it. 

8 Bring the tissue When handler sneezes dog takes a tissue out of a tissue box, brings it to the handler and then without additional prompt takes it to a bin. 

9 Hand signals expert Dog performs 10 different skills on hand signal from the handler. The skills can be from any category. 

10 Fill the piggy bank Dog picks us a coin and puts if through the coin slot in the piggy bank. Repeat 3 times. 

11 Help me to tidy Handler puts in front of the dog 2 or more different household items and dog picks them up, carries and leaves in the places where they are meant to be. 

12 Bring phone when it rings Dog finds and brings handler the phone when it rings or vibrates.

13 Help to fill the washing machine Handler opens the washing machine door and the dog puts inside the clothes from the washing basket nearby. Dog pushes the washing machine door, but not necessary need to completely close it. 

14 Distance work expert Dog performs 10 tricks at a distance of approximately 5m away from the handler. Voice or hand commands or both are allowed. Any tricks are permitted. 

15 Find the hidden object Handler shows the dog an object and then hides it. The dog must be in another room or area where it can’t see or hear where the handler hides the object. On command the dog enters the room or area and performs a focused search for the object. The handler must not help the dog with the voice commands of body directions. When the dog finds the object it needs to indicate its location to the handler or fetch it to handler’s hand.

16 Push the swing Handler sits on a swing and dog carefully pushes the handler’s back using it’s back feet so the swing with the handler gently swings. Repeat 3 times. 

17 Play the drum Dog holds in it’s mouth carefully a drumming stick and in rhythm indicated by the handler taps the drumming stick on the drum. Alternatively the dog can use it’s paw on the drum pedal. It has to be in rhythm set by the handler. 

18 Deliver an object Dog pick up the object pointed at by the handler and delivers it to hand to another familiar person. The assistant needs to be nearby in the same house or in an area safe for dog to cross by itself. 

19 Deliver a food item Dog is given or pick ups a food item such as sausage, a large treat etc and delivers it to handler who is at least 2m away uneaten and gives to hand on command.