20 CAR pt. 41, Appendix G – Table 6 - Behavioral Screening Exam

TABLE 6

Behavioral Screening Exam

TEST 1
Initial Observation: A room with minimal distraction is an appropriate test area. Allow the dog to investigate this area for several minutes without the tester present. The tester should enter the room, not speak, stand still at a discreet distance and observe the dog for about 15 seconds. Record the initial response.
ACCEPTABLE	QUESTIONABLE	OTHER
Holds Ground ☐	Crouches ☐	No response ☐
Approaches Tester ☐	Hackles Up ☐
Hackles Normal ☐	Lips Puffed ☐
Lips Normal ☐	Moves Stiff-Legged ☐
Sniffs Tester ☐	Growls ☐
	Retreats ☐
	Barks ☐
	Avoids Eye Contact ☐
	Stares At You ☐
	Whines ☐

TEST 2
Approaching the Dog: After initial brief observation, approach the dog with hand extended at the dog's nose level, palm and fingers pointed downward. Do not 'rush' in, but do not approach dog in a cautious or apprehensive manner. Walk up to the dog in a normal stride until your hand is within six to 12 inches of the dog's nose. Say nothing and wait for the dog to make the next move.
ACCEPTABLE	QUESTIONABLE	OTHER
Extends Head or Steps Forward to Sniff Hand ☐	Turns Head Away or Tries to Ignore Hand ☐	Stares At You ☐
Seeks Attention by Nudging or Leaning into Tester ☐	Pulls Back or Retreats ☐	No Response ☐
Acts Playful by Barks or Actions ☐	Raises Hackles ☐
Licks Hand ☐	Barks (Not to be Confused with Playful Barking ☐
	Lips Puffed ☐
	Overly Exuberant ☐
	Bares Teeth (Don't Confuse with Grin) ☐

TEST 3
Handling the Dog: If the dog has not been eliminated by Test 1 and 2, attempt to pet the dog starting with the top of the head. Pet the dog to determine its overall response on especially sensitive areas, such as ears and mouth.
ACCEPTABLE	QUESTIONABLE	OTHER
Enjoys the Attention ☐	Pulls Back or Retreats ☐	Meets You, But With Head Lowered and Eyes Averted ☐
Tries to Make Friends ☐	Growls ☐	Attempts to Lick Your Face ☐
Becomes Playful ☐	Lips Puffed ☐
Enjoys Brushing	Raises Hackles ☐
	Quivers or Cowers ☐
	Barks ☐
	Rolls Over on Back ☐
	Submissively Urinates ☐
	Snaps, Bites ☐
	Shows Whites of Eyes ☐
	Overly Exuberant (Jumps Up) ☐
	Overly Sensitive to Grooming of Certain Areas ☐
	Aloof ☐

TEST 4
Interacting with the Dog: See if he/she will retrieve a ball. Walk away briskly, sit on floor and call dog. Lay the dog down, then roll him/her over, rub his/her belly. Will he/she allow this subordination? Have a assistant place a novel stimulus such as a large stuffed animal or mirror close behind the dog when he/she is distracted. Does he/she have the self-confidence to investigate? How does the dog react to sudden arm movement?

TEST 4

Interacting with the Dog: See if he/she will retrieve a ball. Walk away briskly, sit on floor and call dog. Lay the dog down, then roll him/her over, rub his/her belly. Will he/she allow this subordination? Have a assistant place a novel stimulus such as a large stuffed animal or mirror close behind the dog when he/she is distracted. Does he/she have the self-confidence to investigate? How does the dog react to sudden arm movement?

TEST 5
Sound Sensitivity: While casually interacting with the dog, have an assistant make a loud noise without warning (e.g., hitting a metal pan with a spoon).
ACCEPTABLE	QUESTIONABLE	OTHER
Notices, But Continues Previous Activity ☐	Flees ☐
Notices, Investigates ☐	Cowers ☐
Startles, But Recovers Quickly ☐	Freezes ☐
	Trembles ☐
	Urinates ☐
	Moves As If To Attack ☐

TEST 6
Pain Threshold: While playing with dog, briefly pinch the webbing between his/her toes or pull hair from his side to determine pain tolerance.
ACCEPTABLE	QUESTIONABLE	OTHER
Tries to Pull Away, But Shows Forgiveness ☐	Growls ☐
Yelps, But is Not Aggressive ☐	Snaps ☐
Trusts You, Allows Further Petting ☐	Acts Fearful ☐
	Acts Distrustful ☐

TEST 7
Reacting to Unexpected Events (Choose One): Owner is to be present at all times. (Assess response using response categories from Test 5.)
A.	Have your assistant hide around a corner, out of sight, with a noisy utility shopping cart. Walk with dog toward the intersection as the assistant rolls the cart in front of the dog as close as possible. Record the dog's reaction. B. While the dog is playing with you and is distracted, have the assistant hide in the closet and behind the door. Lead the dog to within six feet of the hiding place and have the assistant suddenly jump out at the dog and open an umbrella. Note reactions.
B.	While the dog is playing with you and is distracted, have the assistant hide in the closet and behind the door. Lead the dog to within six feet of the hiding place and have the assistant suddenly jump out at the dog and open an umbrella. Note reactions.

TEST 8
Manners: Test the dog for basic obedience commands such as heel and sit-stay