Dog Temperament Test

Dog Temperament Test

This test is for dogs over the age of 5 months

The four types of dog behaviour for which this test will determine are listed below:

RESPONSIVE

Good Choice

This dog is adaptable, bonds well with humans and is a good dog for first time owners

NERVOUS

Caution

This dog is shy, fearful, possibly be unpredictable and may not be suitable for children

INDEPENDENT

Beware

This dog can be indifferent, stubborn, possibly standoffish and is usually best kept as an outdoor dog

AGGRESSIVE

Stay Away

This dog is dominant, unpredictable, and possibly touch sensitive and definitely not suitable for a family pet

RULES FOR TESTING

Before giving this test make sure you interact with the test subject dog.

If the dog makes any unfriendly moves, is agitated or acting strange in anyway....do not test the dog.

Make sure you test only one dog at a time and away from other dogs and noises.

Make sure the dog is comfortable - having been fed and had a chance to go potty before the test.

Have a second person with you when testing the dog and stop if the dog should show any aggressive type behaviour.

REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTING

You will need the following items for these tests:

a collar and leash

a chair

a couple of dog toys

a four to six foot length of rope

a three foot stick or broom handle

a crumpled piece of paper

a can of dog food and a bowl.

TEST ONE	With leash on go outside and expose dog to many sights and sounds then call dog over to look at something

RESPONSIVE	Dog should walk near you but still show curiousity in the other things

NERVOUS	Dog may cower and try to run the other way

INDEPENDENT	Dog may be interested in only what it finds not what you show it

AGGRESSIVE	Dog may bark furiously and lunge at everything Stop Test

TEST TWO	Leave the the dog outside with the leash on while you come inside and sit down to observe the dog neutrally

RESPONSIVE	Dog should nudge your hand trying to get your attention wagging its tail

NERVOUS	Dog may cower and avoid any interaction

INDEPENDENT	Dog may pull at leash trying to reach other sounds and smells

AGGRESSIVE	Dog may jump on you mouthing roughly may even bite Stop Test

TEST THREE	Talk to the dog in a high squeaky voice for about 30 seconds then stop suddenly and observe neutrally

RESPONSIVE	Dog should respond to your change in behaviour

NERVOUS	Dog may avoid interacting with you

INDEPENDENT	Dog will probably not be affected by your change in behaviour

AGGRESSIVE	Dog may jump, lunge at, mount, or mouth you Stop Test

TEST FOUR	Using toys to get the dog excited, play for about 30 seconds then stop suddenly & drop the toy

RESPONSIVE	Dog should play with you and respond toyour change in behaviour

NERVOUS	Dog may avoid any interaction with you

INDEPENDENT	Dog may not be able to change its behaviour in response to your change

AGGRESSIVE	Dog may jump mouth or mount you or try to take toy and run Stop Test

If the dog has shown ANY aggressive behaviour

STOP the test NOW

DO NOT GO ON

TEST FIVE	With dog on a leash have someone run by a few times dragging a toy making a hissing sound

RESPONSIVE	The dog should be interested in the toy and should be happy and wagging tail

NERVOUS	This dog will be afraid of the person running, as well as afraid of the toy and the noise

INDEPENDENT	This dog may ignore the runner and the toy

AGGRESSIVE	This dog may cry and strain to go after the runner barking furiously Stop Test

TEST SIX	Toss a crumpled piece of paper on the floor. While the dig is sniffing it, yell "Give Me That" and take the paper away with the stick

RESPONSIVE	This dog may stop sniffing right away and come back apologizing

NERVOUS	This dog will be frightened will cower and even try to run away

INDEPENDENT	This dog may ignore your yelling

AGGRESSIVE	This dog may grab the paper run away with it or rip at it growling intensely Stop Test

TEST SEVEN	Pet the dog in a stroking motion from head to toe and watch the dog's reaction to touching

RESPONSIVE	This dog will be receptive of the petting and willing to be examined

NERVOUS	This dog may cower down under your hand STOP STROKING

INDEPENDENT	This dog may ignore yourpetting and be uninterested

AGGRESSIVE	This dog may become stiff and be sensitive about touching and may even growl Stop Test

TEST EIGHT	Give the dog a bowl of canned dog food, but before he finishes the food use a stick or broom to take it away

RESPONSIVE	This dog will wag his tail and look at you as if to ask for more please

NERVOUS	This dog may be too afraid to even eat or may run away from the stick

INDEPENDENT	This dog may walk away from food and be uninterested

AGGRESSIVE	This dog may try to attack the stick or jump up on you to get the food. This dog may even bite or growl Stop Test

You should be able to come up with an evaluation of your dog's temperament from these eight easy tests.

Not all dogs will fit exactly into each category, but you should be able to get a good idea of how adaptable this dog is.

A dog may show a lack of interest in a small area or may even be a little shy in another....this does not make it a bad dog....but a dog that bites and growls and snaps is a definite........

STAY AWAY

Thanks to Michele Godlevski for all the information I was able to use from her wonderful website to prepare these tests for your use. Please be sure to check out her website for more references on this subject as well as the multitude of information she has on Choosing the Perfect Dog.

You will find a link to her site on the AHT Interesting Links Page.

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