Behavior Screening
This abridged temperament test is administered at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center to evaluate canine candidates for the Dog Visitation Program. Please review this test to see if you think your dog is a suitable volunteer.
In addition to the tests described below, we are looking for a physically calm dog who is not excited by being in new places. We are also looking for a dog willing to make direct eye contact with strangers and engage with them. We find that the dogs who do best on our test are dogs who have had at least one year of therapy work experience out in the community.
TEST 1: Initial Observation
Allow the dog to investigate a room with minimal distractions and with the evaluator absent. The dog should be allowed to investigate this area for several minutes. The evaluator should then enter the room, and without speaking to the dog, stand still at a discreet distance and observe the dog's behavior for about 15 seconds. Record the initial response of the dog. Evaluator should then enter the room, and without speaking to the dog, stand still at a discreet distance and observe the dog's behavior for about 15 seconds. Does the dog notice the evaluator and solicit attention by either looking towards the evaluator or moving towards the evaluator?
TEST 2: Approaching the Dog
After initial, brief observations, approach the dog with hand extended at the dog's nose level, palm and fingers pointed downward. Do not "rush" in, but do approach with confidence, walking up to the dog in a normal stride. Stand so that the hand offered is 6 to 12 inches from the dog's nose. Say nothing and wait for the dog to make the next move. Record the reaction.
TEST 3: Handling the Dog
If the dog has not been eliminated by tests 1 and 2, attempt to pet the dog starting with the top of the head. Petting the dog is done to determine if there are any "sensitive" areas on the dog (places the dog won't allow you to touch / handle.) Include "aggressive" patting, hugging the dog around the neck and body and pushing the dog around the room. Note any adverse reactions when:
- The hair is pulled
- the ears are pulled and fingers stuck into the ear canals
- The legs are pulled
- The tail is pulled and lifted high
TEST 4: Elevation of the Dog
After tests 1,2 and 3, grasp the dog in the palms of your hands (around the dog's rib cage) and, if possible, elevate the animal completely off the ground. The weight of the dog should be balanced in the palms of your hands on the dogs sternum. All four paws should be completely off the ground (3-4 inches is sufficient.) If the dog is too large, elevate just the front paws. Record the reaction.
TEST 5: Holding the dog's paws
After Tests 1 through 4, take one of the dog's front paws in your hand and grasp it gently but firmly (hold onto it.) After about 5 seconds, record the reaction.
TEST 6: Pain Threshold
While playing with the dog, pinch the webbing between the toes. Record the dog's reaction.
TEST 7: Restraining the dog on its back
Grasp the dog around the chest or by the legs and roll the dog over onto its back on the floor. Restrain the dog with one or both hands on its chest. Try to make eye contact. After 15 seconds record the reaction.
TEST 8: Novel stimulus
After the previous tests, have an assistant place some novel stimulus (large stuffed animal, open umbrella, mirror, wheelchair, etc.) behind the dog while you are distracting it. Record the dog's reaction.
TEST 9: Motion sensitivity
After the previous tests, stand directly in front of dog and then on the side of the dog and wave your arms and / or legs in grand gestures over the head and back area of the dog. Record the reaction.
TEST 10: Performing basic commands
Ask the dog's owner to demonstrate a stationary position, "sit" or "down." This should be done on lead, and without "forcing" the dog into the position. The owner may use more than one command. Record the response.
TEST 11: Holding a position (sit or down) with distractions
After the basic commands test is completed, ask the owner to have the dog either "sit" or "down." Then have the owner walk away from the dog, leaving the lead on the floor. With the owner standing 8 -10 feet away from the dog, have a couple of assistants walk around the dog. The assistants should pass within 3 feet of the dog. Record the dog's reaction.
TEST 12: Recall with distractions
For this test, have the dog on either a down stay or sit stay, depending on the personality of the dog. Have the handler walk to the opposite side of the room. With people petting the dog and standing in such a way as to surround the dog, have the handler do a formal recall. Record the response of the dog.
TEST 13: Sound sensitivity
After the previous test, casually interact with the dog. Have an assistant make a very loud noise without warning. Noises such as hitting a metal pan with a spoon are acceptable or knocking over a metal chair. Record the dog's reaction.
TEST 14: Taking treats from strangers
This test will show whether the dog can gently take food from people who are not the dog's family. Have at least two people offer the dog treats. Have one person offer the treats with an outstretched hand, the food in an upturned palm with the fingers open. Have another person offer the treats from between their thumb and fingers. Record the response to the dog including the approach to the individual and the gentleness in taking the food.
TEST 15: Retrieving behavior
For this test, roll a ball or toy (tennis ball, rubber ball or other toy of appropriate size for the dog) across the floor in front of the dog and see if it will retrieve. If the dog retrieves, test whether the dog will willingly drop the ball. If the dog retrieves, test whether you can reach in and remove the ball from the dog's mouth. Record the reaction.
TEST 16: Meeting another dog
Whether leaving the test or arriving from the test, note the dog's reaction to passing or meeting another dog.
Test 17: Being approached from behind
Have the dog sitting. Approach the dog from the rear, trying not to be seen and pet the dog along the back. Try to imitate the approach of a small child who prefers not to be seen by the dog and then runs away after petting. Record the dog's reaction.
Test 18: Walking on a loose leash
The dog should be able to walk with the handler on a loose leash. The dog does not have to walk in formal "heel" position, but must walk quietly, without pulling or straining on the leash. The dog should also be able to walk quietly with a volunteer holding the leash. The handler may walk alongside of the volunteer / dog pair while the volunteer is walking the dog.
TEST 19: Leave it command
The handler with the dog on a loose leash walks past food on the ground (placed within a distance of three feet) and, upon command, the dog should ignore the food.
TEST 20: Food guarding / possessiveness
The evaluator offers treats the dog likes. The evaluator then puts a lot of food on the ground and while the dog is eating, intervenes with the "assess a hand" and tries to take food away from the dog.
