Assistance dogs have been highly trained to carry out a range of tasks and alerts that support a disabled person or person with a long-term medical condition. They have been trained to behave well in public, and remain calm, attentive and close to their human partner. Due to their extensive training, assistance dogs are unlikely to jump up or bark, unless this forms part of an escalated alert, and they are very unlikely to display signs of fearfulness or aggression towards people or other dogs.

ADUK members work to the highest international standards of training and welfare, and promote the use of positive reward based training by using treats or a toy to motivate dogs; this means training forms part of enrichment.

Assistance Dogs carry out a wide range of tasks and alerts depending on the needs of their partner but there are some common task and alert behaviours that you might see. We’ve listed them below, including some videos from our members which show these in action.


Alert Behaviours

Alert behaviours are crucial for disabled people who may need immediate warning; such a reminder to take medication, or signal environmental dangers. Assistance dogs are trained to recognise specific cues and respond accordingly, ensuring the safety and well-being of their handlers.

Assistance dogs can detect a range of conditions, including changes in blood sugar levels or anticipate seizures by smelling subtle chemical changes in their handler’s breath or sweat. Assistance dogs may alert their handler by nudging, licking, barking, pawing at them, or even circling and staying close to them, providing the time for their handler to get in safe position or take medication.

They can can also be trained to recognise the smell of smoke or the sound of a fire alarm, and will alert their handler and may lead them to safety or retrieve help. Assistance dogs can also alert to important sounds like doorbells, alarms, or the approach of vehicles.

Assistance dogs might also be trained to detect rising stress levels and initiate calming behaviours or ensure their handler has space in groups and crowds. They might lean against their handler to provide pressure therapy, perform blocking behaviours by circling their handler to ensure space, or guide them to a quiet space. Some assistance dogs are trained to wake their handler during a nightmare by nudging, resting their head or lying on them.


Task Behaviours

This is behaviour that involves an assistance dog carrying out a specific action to assist their partner. These tasks are tailored to the handler’s unique needs, ensuring their independence.

Assistance dogs trained to support mobility can fetch items like phones, keys or medications, and some are even trained to pick up bank cards and assist handlers with taking off gloves or jackets by pulling on the clothing. They can also open doors by pulling on handles or pushing buttons. To support every day and emergency tasks, assistance dogs can be trained to press emergency buttons and even turn lights on/off.

Guide Dogs are trained to navigate obstacles, stop at curbs, and help their handler safely cross streets, ensuring they reach their destination safely. Some assistance dogs are trained to memorise common routes, such as from home to work, and guide their handler along these paths.


More examples of task and alert behaviours can be found in our animation below.

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