Read the scope, outcomes and full checklist guidance
The outcome:The business is prepared to prevent, control, communicate and learn from escapes, conflict, injury, severe weather and other emergencies.
EW10.1: Missing-dog and escape response
The business must have a practised missing-dog response covering immediate containment of remaining dogs, last-known location, safe searching, owner and internal escalation, council or microchip notification, public communication and ongoing responsibility. The plan must avoid further risk through an uncontrolled group, unsafe pursuit or misleading delay.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
The business must have a practised missing-dog response covering immediate containment of remaining dogs, last-known location, safe searching, owner and internal escalation, council or microchip notification, public communication and ongoing responsibility. The plan must avoid further risk through an uncontrolled group, unsafe pursuit or misleading delay.
What the Assessor Checks
Run a scenario for one dog escaping from a group in public.
Review previous escapes, near misses and preventive changes.
Evidence
Emergency plan, contacts, identification, scenarios, incidents and corrective actions.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Concealing an escape or abandoning reasonable recovery efforts may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
EW10.2: Dog conflict, bites and public incidents
A practical response must cover dog conflict, bites, attacks, injury to a person or animal, livestock or wildlife incidents and unsafe public interactions. The walker must prevent further harm, secure the dogs, obtain medical or veterinary help as needed, preserve relevant information and meet reporting duties.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
A practical response must cover dog conflict, bites, attacks, injury to a person or animal, livestock or wildlife incidents and unsafe public interactions. The walker must prevent further harm, secure the dogs, obtain medical or veterinary help as needed, preserve relevant information and meet reporting duties.
What the Assessor Checks
Use a conflict scenario while other dogs remain present.
Review incident evidence, notifications, communication and changes to plans.
Evidence
Emergency procedure, first aid, incident reports, notifications, witnesses and corrective action.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Failing to control ongoing serious danger or deliberately concealing a serious bite may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
EW10.3: Severe weather, natural hazards and lone-worker communication
The business must have thresholds and alternatives for heat, cold, storms, flooding, fire, poor air quality, earthquake and other relevant hazards. Decisions must reflect the dogs, route and transport rather than a single temperature number applied without context. Lone walkers must have a reliable check-in or escalation arrangement proportionate to isolation, terrain, coverage and duration.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
The business must have thresholds and alternatives for heat, cold, storms, flooding, fire, poor air quality, earthquake and other relevant hazards. Decisions must reflect the dogs, route and transport rather than a single temperature number applied without context. Lone walkers must have a reliable check-in or escalation arrangement proportionate to isolation, terrain, coverage and duration.
What the Assessor Checks
Review recent cancellation or modification decisions.
Test no coverage, walker injury or blocked-route scenarios.
Evidence
Hazard procedure, communications plan, check-in record, alternatives and client messages.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Proceeding into a known severe hazard with an unmanageable group may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
EW10.4: Incident reporting, disclosure and learning
Material incidents and near misses must be recorded promptly and factually, including dogs and people involved, time, place, conditions, actions, injuries, notifications and follow-up. Affected clients must be told promptly and honestly. Serious incidents must trigger review of dogs, walkers, groups, routes, equipment and systems, and disclosure to All Things Dog where certification conditions require it.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
Material incidents and near misses must be recorded promptly and factually, including dogs and people involved, time, place, conditions, actions, injuries, notifications and follow-up. Affected clients must be told promptly and honestly. Serious incidents must trigger review of dogs, walkers, groups, routes, equipment and systems, and disclosure to All Things Dog where certification conditions require it.
What the Assessor Checks
Sample incidents against client and veterinary information.
Check corrective actions were implemented and effective.
Evidence
Incident register, communications, investigation, trend review and corrective actions.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Falsifying or deliberately concealing a serious incident is Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________