The Four Levels of Australian Companion Dog Skills

Australian Companion Dog Skills (ACDS) is a structured, assessment-based framework designed to evaluate real-world companion dog behaviour across progressive levels of development and environmental complexity.

Dogs may enter the pathway at the level appropriate to their current skills. Progression is based on meeting published assessment criteria, not on training participation.

Assessment features:

  • Conducted in a group environment

  • Developmentally appropriate expectations

  • Focus on comfort, engagement, and early skill foundations

Level 1 — Puppy Companion Skills

(6 months of age and under)

Puppy Companion Skills recognises early development, calm participation, and appropriate behaviour in structured social settings.

This level is designed to support puppies during critical learning periods without requiring formal obedience or precision behaviours.

Examples of skills assessed may include:

  • tolerance of handling and gentle restraint

  • calm engagement with handler

  • basic positions and transitions

  • short lead walking

  • early recall foundations

Level 2 — Companion Dog Skills

Companion Dog Skills is the core ACDS certification and reflects reliable behaviour expected of a well-managed companion dog.

This level evaluates everyday manners, handling tolerance, and behavioural stability in low- to moderate-distraction environments.

Assessment features:

  • Group or individual assessment formats

  • Focus on practical, real-world skills

  • Suitable for adolescent and adult dogs

Examples of skills assessed may include:

  • loose lead walking

  • polite greeting behaviour

  • basic stays and recall reliability

  • calm neutrality around people and dogs

  • handling tolerance

Level 3 — Urban Companion Skills

Urban Companion Skills evaluates a dog’s ability to remain calm, responsive, and appropriately managed in public and community environments.

This level reflects the increased complexity and unpredictability of real-world settings.

Assessment features:

  • Conducted in public or simulated public environments

  • Group or individual assessment formats

  • Emphasis on neutrality and resilience

Examples of skills assessed may include:

  • controlled movement in public spaces

  • passing people, dogs, and environmental distractions

  • settling in public locations

  • appropriate responses to sudden stimuli

Level 4 — Advanced Companion Skills

Advanced Companion Skills is the highest level of ACDS certification.

This level recognises advanced reliability, emotional regulation, and handler–dog teamwork under complex or high-distraction conditions.

Assessment features:

  • Advanced environments or scenarios

  • High expectations for consistency and control

  • Focus on stability rather than obedience performance

Examples of skills assessed may include:

  • extended calm behaviour in challenging environments

  • reliable responses under distraction

  • advanced lead handling and transitions

  • consistent neutrality and recovery

Training, Assessment, and Level Progression

Australian Companion Dog Skills (ACDS) is a structured assessment framework, not a training program.

  • Participation in training does not guarantee certification

  • Dogs may be assessed regardless of where or how they were trained

  • Certification is awarded solely on assessment performance

Assessment structure and progression requirements

To ensure consistency, safety, and fairness across all evaluators and environments, ACDS operates as a progressive, criteria-based assessment system with defined entry and progression requirements.

  • Puppy Companion Skills (Level 1) is a developmental assessment for dogs six months of age and under.
    This level must be undertaken within a group class conducted by an approved ACDS evaluator, ensuring consistent social context and standardised assessment conditions.
    Level 1 is age-limited and not a prerequisite for progression into the core pathway.

  • Companion Dog Skills (Level 2) is the mandatory foundation level of the ACDS framework.
    Dogs must successfully complete Level 2 before progressing to any higher-level assessment.

  • Urban Companion Skills (Level 3) may only be undertaken following successful completion of Level 2.

  • Advanced Companion Skills (Level 4) may only be undertaken following successful completion of Level 3.

This structured progression ensures that dogs assessed at higher levels have demonstrated the prerequisite skills required for increased environmental complexity, behavioural reliability, and public exposure.

The clear separation of training and assessment, combined with mandatory progression requirements and defined assessment contexts, protects the integrity, neutrality, and consistency of the Australian Companion Dog Skills framework across all evaluators.