Evaluating
A New Dog
Before Addition To The Playgroup
Dog
Name: ________________________
Last Name: ________________
Tester:
___________________________________
Date: _____________
1)
____ Evaluate
the dog for fleas, and check on medical
requirements. (Vaccinations, de-wormings,
etc.)
a)
____ Test dog should be wearing
a non-choke collar that will not slip
over the head.
i)
If only has a slip lead, the
owner may purchase one, or return
with one.
2)
Test the new dog - with owner
present in a neutral
room for privacy - before introducing
it to the play group:
a)
______ Rate 0 – 10 (10= high)
Will it SIT or DOWN on command
for the owner?
b)
______ Rate 0 – 10 (10= high)
Will it SIT or DOWN on command for
you
c)
______ Rate 0 – 10 (10= high)
Does the dog pull on the leash
and act unruly or calm?
3)
Take the new dog on
leash to a fenced area adjacent
to the play group.Try to keep the
LEASH LOOSE as much as possible.
(To avoid “Restraint Aggression.:)
Watch the interactions; test dog
behind a fence:
a)
______ Rate 0 – 10 (10= high)
Observe for excitability in the test
dog (agitated or excited barking)
b)
______ Rate 0 – 10 (10= high)
Observe for aggression (threat postures;
type, intensity and duration)
c)
______ Rate 0 – 10 (10= high)
Observe for how quickly the dog becomes
calm
i)
______ Rate 0 – 10 (10= high)
If the dog does not become calm, move
out of sight of the play group, and
determine how long it takes for the
dog to become calm.
4)
When the dog is calm, introduce
an off leash “Mentor
Dog” to interact with the test dog,
still in the isolated test area.
The Mentor dog must be experienced
socially with as many dogs as possible,
and known to be reliable. If such
a dog does not exist, then use the
closest dog possible, but with a second
person and the second dog on loose
leash. The goal is to allow the mentor
dog to approach or move away. Try
to allow a loose leash on the test
dog. A tight leash triggers barrier
frustration aggression.
5)
Observe for the following
indicators from the test dog:
a)
______ Rate 0 – 10 (10= high)
Friendly body language
i)
Play bow
ii)
Friendly wagging tail, roughly
parallel to the ground
iii)
Relaxed muscle tone
iv)
Some solicitation barking
(“Let me inside to play!”)
(1)
If so, ask for QUIET, or SIT
to see if the dog will respond to
commands when excited.
b)
______ Rate 0 – 10 (10= high)
Unfriendly body language
i)
Stiff body
ii)
Lip lifting or growling
iii)
Attempts to mount or
control
iv)
Tail carried high up away
from the ground
v)
Threat barking (“Hey you,
stop that!”)
6)
Give feedback to the tester
dog to see if it responds:
a)
Praise friendly
body language
b)
If unfriendly,
move the dog away, and ask for a SIT.
Then return partially, and test the
SIT.
7)
If the dog seems suitable,
allow it to drag a leash in a neutral
area with the Mentor Dog alone.
a)
Toss a ball or rawhide chew
into the area, and observe the test
dog’s response.
i)
______ Rate 0 – 10 (10= high)
Friendly body language
ii)
______ Rate 0 – 10 (10= high)
Unfriendly body language
8)
Allow test dog to play with
other dogs while continuing to drag
a lead until you are confident the
dog is fitting into the play group
safely.
Notes: