Do you know what a Canine Temperament Test is?

Most dog daycare/boarding facilities require a Canine Temperament Test, but do you know what it involves?

By Laura Pakis, Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Cynologist,

Basically, a temperament test is an examination of a dog to predict how the pet will most likely react in various situations with various types of other dog temperaments and strangers.

Types of temperament tests

There are a variety of temperament tests available.  Some determine a puppy’s personality and temperament to pick the dog best suited for support work or protection training or even being a great house pet.  Other tests, such as the ASPCA SAFER test, are performed at shelters to determine the probability of canine aggression in individual dogs.

The temperament test offered by most daycare/boarding facilities usually includes an initial “interview” with the dog owner and dog or a questionnaire for the dog owner to complete.  The initial meeting is followed by the dog being introduced to other dogs while a staff member evaluates the dog’s behavior, body language, personality with other dogs, or more.

Most tests involve looking for any aggressive or anti-social behaviors toward other dogs.  The facility is also looking for general personality characteristics such as separation anxiety, timidness, territorial aggression, leash aggression, and toy aggression. These behaviors may present a risk to the dog or the other dogs at the facility.

What do the results provide?

Depending on the facility, once the dog’s temperament has been determined, they can decide whether or not the dog is a good fit for their daycare or boarding.  They can also predict how the dog may react in various situations with various types of other dog temperaments and find the best fit for the dog during its stay.

By understanding and getting to know the dog, the facility can put together successful playgroups that reduce injuries to any of the participants, and the dogs end the day physically and mentally tired but not overly exhausted.

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