Call For Participants: Canine Temperament Testing

[Ruin Maniac]

We are currently looking for participants to take part in our study.

Owners must be at least 18 years of age and have owned their dog for at least 6 months to participate. Participants must be able to transport their dog(s) to the testing venue and fluently read and write English in order to take part in the study. Only healthy dogs, that are older than 6 months of age and have been living with the same owner for at least 6 months can participate.

This isn't my study, but I thought I'd spread the word. I know there has been much discussion here about temperament testing and I figured this might interest some of you. :)

http://www.latrobe.edu.au/agriculture/research/specialisations/domestic-animal-behaviour/canine-temperament-test

[tdierikx]

I'd stick my hand up with 3 of my own dogs... but it's too far away... *sigh*

T.

[zeebie]

I'd stick my hand up with 3 of my own dogs... but it's too far away... *sigh*

T.

Ditto

[Rebanne]

hmm, might shoot them an email

[Kirislin]

Hmmm, I might contact them. I've got a shy whippet and one that's going senile, it might be good for them to use them as study subjects because I always worry about how whippets would cope with standardised testing at shelters.

[Nekhbet]

malinois road trip lol

[Alkhe]

I did it this morning with two of my dogs - the two smallest they'd seen! :laugh: It only takes an hour (per dog), it would be great if more people could help

[Alkhe]

Hmmm, I might contact them. I've got a shy whippet and one that's going senile, it might be good for them to use them as study subjects because I always worry about how whippets would cope with standardised testing at shelters.

Yup, it seems like they want a really broad cross section of dogs, with different backgrounds, of different 'type' etc. I'd definitely shoot them an email, they are in need of more dogs still.

[Guest Clover]

Hmmm might have to shoot them an email as well. My guys are all completely different, from different backgrounds etc.

[tdierikx]

It would be really great if they could travel to Sydney to broaden the range of dogs they get access to in this phase... *hint hint*

T.

[Ruin Maniac]

If only La Trobe would fund it. I'm sure the lady conducting this study would love the opportunity, but our University has been making cuts left, right and centre so they could build an 84 million dollar molecular sciences department, as to keep up with the competition from other major universities which are more human science orientated. Ultimately it's a business, and we can't do a lot about it.

[Kirislin]

I've got 2 booked in for next week. :D

[Ruin Maniac]

Thank you, Kirislin! :)

[Rebanne]

My two are booked in as well but not until mid Feb.

[Kirislin]

Thank you, Kirislin! :)

thanks for putting the word out about it, I'd never have known otherwise.

[Kirislin]

I took Kibah and Feather along yesterday for their temperament tests. Both fared pretty much as I thought they would, no aggression at all but fearful with some things. Kibah was calmer and less inclined to panic but I think poor little Feather was terrified, which I thought might be the case. When it was over and she was back in the car she was fine, but for a while there her heart rate got so high they were nearly going to stop the test. I asked if she would fail a current temperament test if she ended up in a pound and the tester said she might be considered too much effort in some of the bigger pounds so it's quite likely she would fail. My poor little girl, to me it just proves that the tests are wrong for whippets because she's the sweetest funniest little dog. I hope my girls contributions go some way to helping them make a more appropriate test. I would hate to think a dog like Feather could be put down simply because she failed the temperament test.

just look at this face.

Feather Mugshot by kirislin, on Flickr

and her's her sweet gentle Mum Kibah

Kibah Mugshot by kirislin, on Flickr

Edited February 1, 2013 by Kirislin

[Rebanne]

Poor little Feather. You nearly put me off taking mine down but I think it is important for all the poor displaced dogs that end up in the pound.

[Alkhe]

I found the feedback from my two really interesting - I expected to be told that Maggie would fail also, and never make it out of most pounds. But she actually "passed" with flying colours, apparently.

It was also really interesting to hear about how different my two are, and how much more self regulating maggie (in particular) is. I could hear her shake every so often, and apparently she would take herself away from whatever stimulus it was, shake herself and her heart rate would lower. Good girl!! :D

I can obviously make various assessments myself, but to hear someone else's objective assessment was great.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Sheridan]

The problem with any temperament test is that it fails to take into account breed type.

[Greytmate]

The problem with any temperament test is that it fails to take into account breed type.

Except the behaviour tests that are designed for particular breeds.

The tests are designed to measure the behaviour against community standards for dogs being sold as pets, not correct breed temperament. A study like this one can only help design better tests.

Kirislin, your dog would never be euthanized simply because it fails a test. The reason why dogs are euthed is because they have been given up by the people responsible for them, and the resources are not available to bring them to adoptable standard and place them in homes. The tests allow available resources to be used most efficiently to help the greatest number of dogs. It is always a human failure when dogs are euthed. Whether through bad choice to buy a dog or somebody breeding dogs of poor temperament.