Special Tasks

Dogs trained by ASDOG trainers are taught to respond to commands and gestures to provide independence for their recipients. The tasks the dogs do are many and varied, although sometimes all they are doing is helping people carry out everyday household tasks that are otherwise near
to impossible for a person who has a mobility balance problem to achieve.

Dogs trained through ASDOG learn to:

• open and close doors, cupboards and refrigerators

• pick up dropped items – requested and not requested

• retrieve items to a person’s hand, lap or by placing their paws on wheelchair or armrests

• retrieve items from tables, benches, sinks, fridges, from under furniture and any other
..awkward place they are able to reach

• retrieve crutches

• place items on a bench or table into the fridge, sink or cupboard shelf as directed

• close bins

• at shops, give credit cards and cash to checkout operators and take them back to return
..to their person, and assist in dressing and undressing. Dogs can learn, for example, to
..remove socks and jumpers from a person.

• operate lift and traffic light buttons

• adjusting blankets and doonas

• give objects to another person

• pull a basket on wheels

• carry baskets

• unload groceries

• place items into baskets (eg. laundry and shopping)

• load and unload the frontloading washing machine

• take the cordless phone to its owner

• open and close wheelchair footplates

• lift a foot up that has slipped off a footplate

• attract another person’s attention

• act as a brace. Large strong male dogs can do this.

• do other jobs taught specifically or the recipient

Some special tasks ASDOG Assistance Dogs are doing for their owners
Assistance Dogs can be taught specific tasks for their owners. They are known to:

• help a person with MS up the stairs. Assistance Dog Molly does this by following Emma up
..the stairs, putting her muzzle under Emma’s lower foot and then pushing the foot upwards to
..the next step. She does this with each step.

• carry bags up and own down stairs

• fetch the mail from the front of the house as it is
..delivered through the front door slot

• take the front door keys to a person at the front door

• hold a tray steady on a person’s lap

• fetch a cordless phone for its owner without command
..and give it to him/her if the person falls down

• lie lengthwise against the person for warmth and security
..if they fall down

Molly helps Emma up
the stairs

• act as a brace if a person leans out of a wheelchair and
..can’t get upright again

© 2005 ASDOG Assistance Dogs Pty Ltd