Tethering — child safety
Advanced — high precision required
Autism Assistance Dog
Multi-Task Service Dog
About this task
Dog is tethered to a child with autism and walks alongside or slightly ahead, preventing the child from running.
How it helps: Prevents dangerous wandering or bolting in public, providing safety for children with autism who may not understand traffic and other dangers.
Required foundation skills
Solid heel. Pressure walking. Very stable temperament. Appropriate size.
Training steps
- Dog must have very stable, calm temperament — assess carefully before starting
- Teach dog to walk with gentle tether pressure without pulling
- Teach dog to resist sudden forward lunges from the child
- Teach dog to sit and anchor when child tries to bolt
- Practice with weight pulling simulations before working with the child
- Introduce child gradually with adult handler present at all times
- Proof extensively before using independently
- Note: Always have an adult handler present when a dog is tethered to a child
Proofing criteria
Once your dog reliably performs this task at home, proof it in these environments and situations:
- Walks calmly tethered to a simulated weight
- Resists sudden forward pull
- Sits and anchors when pressure is applied from in front
- Does not become distressed when tethered
- Works calmly with child present and adult handler supervising
- Does not jump, pull, or behave unpredictably when tethered