FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We're unable to provide dogs for training. However, RAD can offer support and guidance to  clients in finding and choosing the right dog with a temperament required for your disability circumstances.

RAD offers 4 courses: Dog Beginners, Dog Intermediate, Dog Advanced and Dog Public Access. To complete all 4 courses, it will take roughly 18 months to 2 years depending on your prior experience with dog training. 

At RAD assistance dogs we only assess dogs for their final public access assessment over the age of 18 months.

At RAD we train behaviours to mitigate the symptoms of mental health disability.  

These include: blocking (to create space around you and create distance from others), deep pressure therapy, responding to crying, interrupting behaviours, leading to an exit, tug, get it.

We also teach basic obedience behaviours too.  These include: sit, down, stay, send to bed, emergency stop.  

We currently sell RAD branded harnesses/vests, lead sheaths, settle mats and ID badges with lanyards.

Please refer to our online shop for more details. 

RAD branded ID badges and vests are member only items. 

You must be 18 or over to become a member. Alternatively, you can be under 18 and have a parent or guardian attend training sessions with you.

It currenty costs £3 per week to become a client of RAD.

Yes.  We have several clientswho train two dogs. Some members train a dog for themselves and one for their child.

All parts of the UK are available, either face to face or via Zoom.

No matter where you live, RAD can reach you!

Most breeds can become an Assistance Dog, however not every dog is capacble of becoming an AD.

Dog welfare is important to us at RAD and we need to make sure that the breed of dog is the right choice for the client.  

RAD have guidelines on dog breeds that make good assistance dogs.  The dog needs to be suitable for the job and for your lifestyle.  Assistance dogs need to spend a lot of their time in a settle, especially if you attend school or work.  Please consider this requirement before purchasing a 'working' line dog.  

RAD do not accept brachycephalic dogs.  These breeds can be prone to BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) and can have severe breathing concerns.  Also, brachy dogs are more likely to get heatstroke in hot weather.  RAD have a heat policy, and the working temperatures for brachycephalic dogs are lower.  If you have a brachycephalic dog there will be large proportions of the year you wouldn't be able to work your dog.

RAD cannot train any dogs that are on the baned dog list.

RAD has a policy against the use of aversives, that includes slip leads, choke chains and prong collars.

At RAD we put a huge focus on lead walking training and recommend the use of a lead and/or harness.

All training is included in your membership - this includes face to face and zoom training.

All RAD support, advice and advocacy is included too.

At RAD we will help our clients with access and advocacy.

RAD will write to any organisation to confirm someone's membership/eligibility.

RAD can advise on the rights of the client and provide information to work places and schools/universities where needed.

RAD, however, do not offer any legal advice or representation. 

Yes - you need to provide evidence of your dog's insurance to become a client of RAD.

All assistance dogs need to be covered by public liability insurance.  RAD can help you find a suitable cover if needed.

All RAD staff have an awareness of mental health disability and have completed short online courses in mental health, however, RAD staff are not mental health professionals.

RAD staff are unable to provide mental health support and will ask clients to talk to their  own mental health professional if needed.