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 you 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 leash and let him do what he wants for about 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 behaviour. Make note of any
unusual reactions or other information that may help interpret his behaviour.
Rating
scales:
Completely focused on one person...to...Totally ignores person
Calm/quiet...to...Very excited and active
Very friendly...to...No friendly behaviour
No fearful behaviour...-to...Very fearful
No threatening behaviour...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
There
are blank lines for notes at the end of each of the 10 sections. |
