SPCA CAMP (COMPANION ANIMAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM) DOG BEHAVIOURAL EVALUATION TEST, AUGUST 2002, Taken from the Hetts Tests
Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D.
Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
Animal Behavior Associates, Inc.
STEP 1. Watching the dog in the kennel
Rate the dog on the following scales for each of these phases. Put the letter of the phrase (A, B, or C) at that point on each scale that best describes how the dog reacted to that phase. Make note of the specifics of the dog’s behaviour and any other information that will help interpret the behaviour.
A. Stand quietly for a minute or so with your body turned to the side of the cage, don’t look at the dog, maintain a neutral non-threatening posture.
B. Turn and face the dog. Stare at him and lean slightly forward at the waist for one minute.
C. Turn your side to the dog, bend down, look at the floor, talk to the dog in a friendly tone of voice, raise and dip your head slightly, put your hand near the front of your cage for the dog to sniff. Do this for one minute
Rating scales
Very friendly...to...No friendly behaviour
No fearful behaviour...to...Very fearful
No threatening behaviour...to...Very threatening
Step 2. Take the dog out of his run
Put a slip-leash on the dog and walk him to a neutral place in the shelter away from other dogs, that is quiet and where the dog can move around. Try to do this in a neutral manner, neither friendly nor threatening, but be very cautious not to get bitten. Rate the dog on each of the three scales by putting an X on the point that best describes his behaviour. Be sure to note any extreme reactions or other information that may explain his behaviour.
Rating Scales
Very friendly...to...No friendly behaviour
No Fearful Behaviour...to...Very Fearful
No threatening behaviour...to...Very threatening
Step 3. Stand and watch the dog
Stand in the middle of the area with the dog on a leash and let him do what he wants to do for three minutes. Try to ignore the dog. Rate him on each of the following scales by placing an X on the point that best describes his behavior. Make note of any unusual reactions or other information that may help interpret his behavior.
Rating Scales
Completely Focused On Person...to...Totally ignores person
Calm/Quiet...to...Very excited and active
Very friendly...to...No friendly behaviour
No Fearful Behavior...to...Very fearful
No threatening behavior...to...Very threatening
Step 4. Sit down and watch the dog
Sit down and watch the dog as before for two about minutes. Continue to ignore him. Rate him on the same scales as above by placing the letter A on each scale at the point that best describes his behaviour. Then make eye contact with the dog and stare at him for a few seconds. Rate him again by placing the letter B at the point that best describes his behaviour on each scale. Make note of any unusual behavior or events that may help to interpret his behaviour.
Rating Scales
Completely focused On Person...to...Totally ignores person
Calm/Quiet...to...Very Excited and Active
Very friendly...to...No Friendly Behavior
No Fearful behavior...to...Very Fearful
No Threatening Behavior...to...Very threatening
Step 5. Pet the dog
Take up the slack on the leash, so you have slight tension on it and then begin to pet the dog with slow methodical strokes from the top of his head to the base of his tail. Do these three or four times. Be very cautious to avoid being bitten. Use a simulated hand to do this if you are concerned about possible aggression. Rate the dog on each of the following scales by placing an X at the point that best describes his behavior. Make note of any unusual behavior or other events that may interpret his behaviour.
Rating Scales
Seeks Attention...to...Avoids attention
Completely Focused on Person...to...Ignores Person
Quiet/Calm...to...Very excited and active
Very Friendly...to...No Friendly Behaviour
No Fearful Behavior...to...Very Fearful
No Threatening Behaviour...to...Very threatening
Step 6. Startle the dog
Stand up, let the dog go to the end of the leash and when he is not attending to you, clap your hands loudly and say “HEY!” or “AGGGHH!” loudly, then stand quietly. Alternatively, set off a small hand-held air horn or drop a metal food dish on the cement floor. If you choose to startle the dog a second time, wait until the dog has calmed down first. Rate the dog on each of the following scales. Place the letter A at the point that best describes the dog’s behavior for the first test and the letter B for the second test. Make note of any extreme reactions or other conditions that may help to interpret the dog’s behaviour.
Rating Scales
Completely Inhibits Behaviour...to...No inhibition
Quick Recovery ...to...Long Recovery
No Fearful Behaviour...to...Very Fearful
No threatening Behaviour...to...Very Threatening
Step 7. Handle the Dog
Start by taking up the slack on the leash so that you have slight tension on it. Have the dog standing perpendicular to you and then rate him on each of the following scales for each of the following phases. Put the letter of the phase (A, B, etc.) at the point of each scale that best describes the dog’s behaviour during that phase. Make note of any unusual behavior or other events that may help to interpret the dog’s behaviour. Be very cautious not to get bitten.
A. Repeatedly stroke the dog as you did before from head to tail, and then touch the dog on the side and flank furthest from you.
B. Lift up and touch an ear, massage it gently, and touch his foot.
C. Run your hand down a back leg and touch his foot
D. Put your hand on the dog’s head, slide it down over his eyes, then hold your hand over the dog’s muzzle for a few seconds, then lift up his lips.
E. Take a towel and run it down the outside front and back leg, end by picking up a foot as if to clean it.
F. Touch and firmly pull, but not yank, on the dog’s collar.
G. Make a quick motion towards the dog’s head with one hand. Don’t touch the dog and don’t be overly threatening.
H. With both hands gently but firmly push on the dog’s shoulders.
Rating scales
No Struggle, Tolerant...to...Struggles Intensely
No Avoidance...to...Continues Avoidance
No Threatening Behavior...to...Very Threatening
Very Relaxed...to...Very Tense
No Fearful Behavior...to...Very Fearful
Not Submissive...to...Very Submissive
Very Friendly...to...No Friendly Behavior
Step 8. Evaluate the dog’s arousal/excitement threshold
Slacken the leash or release the leash and rate the dog on each of the three phases by placing the letter (A, B, or C) at the point on each scale that best describes the dog’s behaviour during that phase.
A. Talk to the dog in an excited, high pitched voice, jump up and down, bend at the waist and put your hands on your knees as if to invite the dog to play. Do this for 10 to 20 seconds.
B. Take several steps away from the dog and invite him to chase you. Do this for 10 to 20 seconds.
C. Stop, stand still and ignore the dog
Rating Scales
Low Intensity Response...to...High Intensity
No Fearful Behavior...to...Very Fearful
No Threatening Behavior...to...Very Threatening
Playful/Friendly...to...Not Playful or Friendly
Quick Recovery...to...Long Recovery
Step 9. Relinquishment of toys/food
Rate the dog on his behavior around A. toys, B. chew objects and/or C. a dish of food. Give the object or food to the dog and let him have it for several seconds before asking him to “Give”, Drop it” or “Out”. If he doesn’t and it seems safe, try to take the object from him. Use a fake hand if you are uncomfortable or think he may bite. Place the appropriate letter of the phase on the point of each scale that best describes his behavior. If you use other objects use a different letter and make a note of what the object is. Make note of any unusual behaviour that may help to interpret his behaviour.
Rating Scales
Readily relinquishes when asked...to...Does not Relinquish
No Fearful Behaviour...to...Very Fearful
No threatening behaviour...to...Very threatening
No Avoidance of Hand...to...Continuously Avoids Hand
Step 10. Reaction to other dogs
Bring a friendly dog that is on a leash to a large area first, then bring in the dog to be tested, also on a leash. Muzzle the test dog if you see signs of threat or suspect it. Keep the two dogs several feet apart for one to two minutes. If the test dog seems relaxed and friendly, let him approach the friendly dog. Once they have greeted each other and friendly behavior continues, slacken the leash to let the dogs interact further. After another minute or two separate the dogs and rate the test dog on the following scales. Use the letter A to rate the dog on the first minute of the encounter before he approaches the friendly dog. If he was friendly and you let him approach, use the letter B to rate his behaviour when he was near the friendly dog. Make note of any unusual behaviour or events that may help interpret the dog’s behaviour.
Rating Scales
Very Friendly...to...No Friendly Behaviour
No Fearful Behaviour...to...Very Fearful
No threatening Behavior...to...Very threatening
Submissive...to...Not at all submissive