Assistance Dog Pathway, online
Train your own assistance dog, from anywhere in Australia
The 36-week Walkys Assistance Dog Pathway, run online under the PAT Dogs Australia framework. You do the training at home, coached by a head trainer, in a dedicated pathway cohort with its own pack, check-ins and chats. Your dog is assessed by video at each stage.
Online pathway enrolments open soonBook a call
Want to be first in? Book a free call and we'll save you a spot.
36week pathway
2formal assessments
Separatepathway cohorts
How it works
The same Academy structure, built for assistance work
Everything that makes the Academy work, with a cohort of handlers training toward the same goal.
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Your own pathway pack
A separate cohort of handlers on the same pathway, with a head trainer leading you.
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Weekly check-ins
Live coaching and pack check-ins so you're never guessing what to work on next.
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Tested by video
PAT Dogs Australia accepts video-submitted tests, so your dog's Suitability Test and Public Access Test are done from home.
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Test fees included
Your PAT Dogs Australia test fees are covered in the weekly price. Only their $599 application fee is extra.
The pathway
Two phases. Two assessments. Thirty-six weeks.
Foundations first, then public access, each layer added only once your dog has cleared the one before it.
Before week 1
Intake and suitability screen
A free call, an informal suitability screen, your application forms, the C-BARQ questionnaire, your task list and documents.
Weeks 1 to 12
Phase 1: Foundations
Duration and place, stay, wait, release and recall, handling and cooperative care, separation, car and door manners, loose-lead walking, social confidence, dog neutrality and desensitisation.
Week 12
Suitability Test
Assessed by video before your dog moves on to public access work.
Weeks 13 to 36
Phase 2: Public access
Real environments and real distraction: transport, restrooms, stairs and lifts, then shopping centres, cafés, restaurants and supermarkets.
Week 36
Public Access Test
The final assessment of your dog's public access work, assessed by video.
Pricing
One weekly price for the whole pathway
The online pathway costs a little more than the Academy because it includes a dedicated pathway cohort, video assessment at each stage and your PAT Dogs Australia test fees.
Online Assistance Dog Pathway
$117 a week
Billed weekly, in a dedicated pathway cohort. Test fees included. PAT Dogs Australia's $599 application fee is extra.
- The 36-week Assistance Dog Development course
- A dedicated pathway cohort and head trainer
- Weekly check-ins and live coaching calls
- An ongoing group chat for your pathway pack
- Video assessments at each stage, including the Suitability Test and Public Access Test
- Access to the wider Walkys community
- PAT Dogs Australia's test fees during the pathway (only their $599 application fee is extra)
Online pathway enrolments open soon
No lock-in contract. Cancel any time with 30 days' notice, and your final 30 days are paid as normal.
Can you get to Wollongong or Shellharbour?
Our in-person pathway has your dog trained by our team one day a week, with one-on-one handling sessions for you. See the in-person pathway
Not sure your dog is suitable?
Book a free call. We'll tell you honestly whether this is a realistic pathway, and whether your dog is the right dog for it. Book a call
Questions
Good to know
How is this different from the in-person pathway?
The pathway and the assessments are the same. Online, you do the weekly training yourself, coached by a head trainer, instead of your dog training with our team each week.
How are the tests done?
Your dog's progress, the Suitability Test and the Public Access Test are assessed by video. Your head trainer will tell you exactly what to film and when.
Why is it $117 a week?
It follows the same structure as the Academy, with a dedicated pathway cohort, video assessment at each stage, and your PAT Dogs Australia test fees included.
Are PAT Dogs Australia's fees included?
Mostly. Your Suitability Test and Public Access Test fees are included in the weekly price. The only extra during the pathway is PAT Dogs Australia's $599 application fee, paid at enrolment. Once your dog passes the Public Access Test, you retest once a year, which is $199 paid to PAT Dogs Australia.
Can I join from anywhere?
Yes. Everything runs online, so you can be anywhere in Australia.
What do I need before I start?
We'll walk you through it on the call: your application forms, the C-BARQ questionnaire, your task list, and your dog's vaccination, desexing and registration documents.
How do I cancel?
No lock-in contract. Cancel any time with 30 days' notice, and your final 30 days are paid as normal.
Start your dog's pathway
Join the next online pathway cohort, or book a free call to talk it through first.
Online pathway enrolments open soonBook a call
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