UKC Socialized Pet Obedience Testing

The SPOT program was developed to reward one’s everyday life with dogs. It is important that not only dogs, but their owners as well, set an example for responsible dog ownership in our modern world of increasingly urban and crowded environments.
Learning appropriate behavior while on leash and in the presence of other dogs, and learning basic obedience skills are essential for dog ownership today. The SPOT test consists of 10 separate stations. At each station the dog must perform a basic exercise. These exercises are used to demonstrate that the dog is capable of exhibiting desired behaviors that the general public would expect to see in a well-behaved dog.

What does my dog need to do?

Walking on a Loose Leash Through a Designated Pattern. This exercise demonstrates that the dog has been trained to walk appropriately on a leash. For this exercise the dog may start in any position as long as the dog is at your side, and there is obvious slack in the leash. The Evaluator will instruct you to, “Begin when you are ready.” The evaluation of this station will not start until you take your first step forward, and it will be complete when both you and your dog pass the last sign in the sequence. The dog is expected to remain under control, and the leash should have an adequate amount of slack throughout the exercise. You will follow a set pattern marked with signs. The pattern will be continuous and incorporate a left turn, a right turn, and a U-turn. There are no designated stops during this exercise. You can use any amount of verbal cues, hand signals, and praise that you would like. You may come to a complete stop in front of, or pause to read a sign, with no penalty assessed for stopping forward motion. 

Leave It. For this exercise the dog may begin in any position at your side. The Evaluator will instruct you to, “Begin when you are ready.” When you are ready, you and your dog will begin walking toward the stationary distractions. You will weave in and out of the stationary distractions in a serpentine pattern. If your dog investigates the distractions, you should verbally tell your dog to leave the distraction using any commands or hand signals you feel necessary. 

Doorway Manners. This exercise demonstrates that the dog can remain under control when entering or exiting a building, entranceway, or gaited enclosure. For this exercise, the dog should begin at your side near the designated entranceway. To complete this exercise you may choose to have the dog walk through with you at the same time or you may choose to pass through the entranceway while the dog waits and then release the dog to come through after you. The Evaluator will tell you to, “Begin when you are ready”. The dog should remain in the starting position as you open the door or gate. The dog should wait calmly until you give the command and/or signal to walk through, either together or after you have already passed through the door. You must be the one to open the gate/door/entranceway to execute the exercise correctly, but if it will not remain open another person is allowed to hold it open while you and your dog are passing through. 
Loading and Unloading. For this exercise the dog should begin at your side in close proximity to the holding area. The Evaluator will tell you to, “Begin when you are ready.” You and your dog will approach the designated holding area. It will usually be a crate of varying sizes or a small exercise pen that has a gate you can open. These are the most common types of objects used to create a holding area. It may vary depending on the resources of the Evaluator. You will open the gate/door to the holding area. Once the holding area is open, you will then tell your dog to enter. Once your dog is securely in the holding area, you will remove the leash at your discretion and close the gate/door. Once the gate/door has been latched, a walking team consisting of a handler and dog will walk past the holding area twice. The first time they pass, the handler of the walking team will be closest to the holding area. For the second pass, the dog of the walking team will be closest to the holding area. After the walking team has passed twice, you may open the gate/door and leash your dog. Once the leash is secured (if you removed it), the dog may exit the holding area. The dog should remain calm while exiting the holding area for the best possible score. 
Moving Dog Distraction. For this exercise, you and your dog will set up diagonally across the testing area from the “demonstration team”. It will be set up so that the dogs will be on the outside when the two teams begin walking toward each other. Both teams will begin moving toward the center of the testing area at the same time. You and your dog will pass the distraction team and continue to the opposite side of the testing area. Once the opposite side is reached, you will turn around so that the dogs are now on the inside closest to each other. You and your dog will then proceed toward distraction team and pass them for a second time. There should be a minimum of three feet of space between the dogs. The exercise is complete once you and your dog reach your original starting point. 

Manners with Distraction. This is a two-part exercise. If an individual is physically unable to or cannot complete the second part of the station safely, then the second part need not be performed and there will be no penalty. For all other test takers, effort should be made to complete the second part of this station. The first part of the exercise must be passed with a minimum of a Good rating to move on to the second part. Both parts of the exercise will be considered as one for the final rating.

• Part 1: You and your dog will be positioned with you seated in the chair with your dog by your side. You will then put your dog in a sit or a down beside the chair you are seated in. The walking dog and handler team will approach you and your dog. The walking team will stop to speak with you; a brief exchange of greeting will take place while you are still sitting in the chair and your dog remains in position beside your chair. After the greeting is exchanged and the walking team has walked on, the dog may be released and set up for Part 2.(The Walking Team: The walking team may consist of other test takers, or a volunteer team provided by the Evaluator. The walking team is not being evaluated at any time. There should be a minimum of a three-foot distance between the walking team and the front of the holding area.)

• Part 2: You will ask your dog to wait patiently while you stand and gather up your chair. You can ask your dog to wait for you in any position that you choose. Once you have gathered up the chair, you will proceed to walk 10-15 steps in the direction the Evaluator sends you with your dog walking beside you on a loose leash. 

Greeting an Approaching Stranger. This exercise demonstrates that the dog is accepting of strangers and is a polite member of the community when approached. For this exercise the dog will need to be next to your side and may be in any position that is comfortable for you and the dog, as long as all four feet are on the ground and remain there throughout the approach. The Evaluator will ask if you are ready to start the station. Once you say you are ready, the Evaluator will start approaching you and your dog from approximately three feet away. While being approached, the dog is allowed to change positions. Once the approaching person has stopped, they will ask, “May I pet your dog?” You may ask the dog to sit to be petted if you wish; you can also gently place your hand in the dog’s collar when the Evaluator pets your dog. When you are ready for the dog to be petted, you will let the Evaluator know. Once you have given the okay, the Evaluator will pet the dog on or around the head. 

Sit and Down on Command. This exercise demonstrates the dog has learned basic obedience skills. For this exercise the dog may begin in any position, as long as the dog is not starting in the same position as it will be in after you give the command. The Evaluator will instruct you to begin when ready. You will tell your dog to sit or down, depending on which position you want to start with. The dog must demonstrate that it knows both behaviors. You can use your voice and any necessary body movement to get your dog to sit or lie down. 

Grooming Exam. This exercise demonstrates that the dog will submit easily to an examination of its physical condition. For this exercise the dog may begin in any position. You will indicate to the Evaluator when you are ready to begin. You may gently hold your dog’s collar if you wish. The Evaluator will approach the dog from the front and lift one of the dog’s front feet. While holding the foot, the Evaluator will manipulate the dog’s toes and pads softly to ensure that the dog will tolerate its foot being handled. After examining the foot, the Evaluator will then lift the dog’s lip to check the dog’s teeth, and touch and glance inside the dog’s ears. 

Stay in Place and Come on Command. This exercise demonstrates the dog has learned basic obedience skills. For this exercise you will use the long line. The dog should start beside you with the long line attached to its collar or harness. The Evaluator will instruct you to, “Begin when ready.” The dog should be left in a stay. Any position is acceptable. The dog may also change position so long as the dog remains where it was left until it has been commanded to come. You will walk a minimum of 10 feet away from your dog. You can remind and encourage the dog to wait or stay until you give the command to come. When you reach the end of the long line, you will give the command to come.