The Doll Used In The Dog Temperament Test ?

[Rosetta]

Would this dog fail the R$PCA doll test ?

Maybe the R$PCA should use a Chucky Doll.

Chucky would scare the bejeezus out of Kenny & Cougar.

I have a 4 inch high Kyle figurine from South Park, when you press the button it says, *you bastard, you killed Kenny*. Kenny was terrified of it & used to run out of the room. I know, I was a naughty mummy to tease him, but it was bloody hilarious.

Maybe we should let Chucky loose on the R$PCA as payback for all the dogs this vile pack of bastards have murdered. I wonder if poor Clifford the pitbull had a doll shoved in front of him before he too was murdered. :mad

Yes - shove Chucky in front of them when they least expect it and if they try to avoid him its a FAIL no second chance for you!!

[Nic.B]

I just wanted to say, IME, a great temp test is a great assest for impounded dogs moving into well matched homes/rescues. It also reduces risk factors for families who adopt and for rescues who take these dogs into care.

When Underdog came to Sydney, a young Kelpie had been deemed "highly reactive with other dogs". The person who stated this was an experienced handler though had only observed her in her kennel pen (at the shelter)as she walked other dogs by to temp test.

That statement was a death sentance for this female (or any other dog) and I was devastated for her.

This little Kelpie was very lucky and blessed as Underdog were not only in Sydney, they were also at the Shelter!

I asked Tamara and Stuart if they would please assess this little girl and despite a very long day they were very happy to assist her.

This little black and tan Kelpie was luky enough to meet the stunning Dexter and promtly rolled over on her back.

There were a couple of issues which needed to be considered in responsibly matching her well with a new owner or rescue. She was over stimulated in the pound environment (common for WB's) she was not well socialised, was inexperienced in different environments and meeting new dogs. She was however a bidable female with great potential and most certainly not DA.

To cut a long (and inspirational) story short, Underdogs temp test SAVED this little girls life.

ETA

Edited April 6, 2013 by Nic.B

[Nic.B]

Would this dog fail the R$PCA doll test ?

Maybe the R$PCA should use a Chucky Doll.

Chucky would scare the bejeezus out of Kenny & Cougar.

I have a 4 inch high Kyle figurine from South Park, when you press the button it says, *you bastard, you killed Kenny*. Kenny was terrified of it & used to run out of the room. I know, I was a naughty mummy to tease him, but it was bloody hilarious.

Maybe we should let Chucky loose on the R$PCA as payback for all the dogs this vile pack of bastards have murdered. I wonder if poor Clifford the pitbull had a doll shoved in front of him before he too was murdered. :mad

Yes - shove Chucky in front of them when they least expect it and if they try to avoid him its a FAIL no second chance for you!!

Yikes! Chucky is a nightmare for anyone.

[Steph M]

I thought the same thing! What a creepy awful looking thing it was, the movements are unrealistic and kids bounce and yell and chatter, which I think would be more what you'd be testing for.

Still, would be hard to do with a real child for obvious reasons...

[Diana R]

http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/HomePage/Group/AnimPersInst/Animal%20Personality%20PDFs/B/Barnard%20et%20al,%202012.pdf

Abstract

"Temperament tests are widely accepted as instruments for profiling behavioral variability

in dogs, and they are applied in numerous areas of investigation (e.g. suitability for adoption

or for breeding). During testing, to elicit a dog’s reaction toward novel stimuli and

predict its behavior in everyday life, model devices such as a child-like doll, or a fake dog,

are often employed. However, the reliability of these devices to accurately stimulate dogs’

reactions to children or dogs, is unknown and perhaps overestimated. This may be a particular

concern in the case of aggressive behavior toward humans, a significant public health

issue. The aim of this study was to: (1) evaluate the correlation between dogs’ reactions to

these devices, and owners’ reports of their dog’s aggression history (using the C-BARQ©);

(2) compare reactions toward the devices of dogs with and without histories of aggression.

Subjects were selected among those visiting for behavioral consultation at the Veterinary

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and previously categorized as aggressive toward

unfamiliar children, conspecifics, or as non-aggressive dogs (control). The test consisted of

different components: an unfamiliar female tester approaching the dog; the presentation

of a child-like doll, an ambiguous object, and a fake plastic dog. All tests were videotaped

and durations of behaviors were later analyzed on the basis of a specified ethogram. Dogs’

reactions were compared to C-BARQ scores, and interesting correlations emerged for ‘dog directed

aggression/fear’ (R = 0.48, P = 0.004), and ‘stranger-directed aggression’ (R = 0.58,

P < 0.001) factors. Dogs differed in their reactions toward the devices: the child-like doll

and the fake dog elicited more social behaviors than the ambiguous object used as a control

stimulus. Issues concerning the reliability of these tools to assess canine temperament are

discussed."

Discussion

"The analysis of the C-BARQ factors (‘stranger-directed

aggression’, ‘stranger-directed fear’, ‘dog-directed aggression/

fear’, and ‘non-social fear’) and of the supplementary

‘child-directed aggression’ items, revealed that CHILDAG

dogs were the only subjects that were aggressive

toward children (H34,2 = 22.05, P < 0.001, Fig. 1a). Post

hoc multiple comparison confirmed that CHILD-AG dogs

received significantly higher scores in the ‘child-directed

aggression’ items compared to both DAG (Z = 3.19,

P = 0.004) and CONTROL dogs (Z = 3.37, P = 0.002). Furthermore,

the Kruskal–Wallis test highlighted significant

difference for the C-BARQ factors ‘stranger-directed

aggression’ (H34,2 = 10.71, P = 0.005; Fig. 1b) and ‘strangerdirected

fear’ (H34,2 = 8.76, P = 0.012; Fig. 1c). Based on

post hoc comparisons CHILD-AG dogs were significantly

more aggressive (Z = 3.21, P = 0.004) and more

fearful (Z = 2.74, P = 0.018) toward unfamiliar persons

than CONTROL dogs. Additionally, CHILD-AG and DOGAG

subjects were significantly more fearful/aggressive

toward conspecifics than CONTROL dogs (H34,2 = 16.88,

P < 0.001; post hoc comparisons, CONTROL vs. CHIL-AG:

Z = 3.20, P = 0.004; CONTROL vs. DOG-AG: Z = 3.82, P < 0.001;

Fig. 1d).

Aggressive reactions toward the doll device correlated

significantly with the scores for the ‘child-directed aggression’

supplementary questions (R = 0.57, P < 0.001) and with

the ‘stranger-directed aggression’ C-BARQ factor (R = 0.58,

P < 0.001)."

[tarope]

The R$PCA uses these so called temp tests as an excuse to murder thousands of dogs and puppies. The doll test is only one test, dogs or puppies that jump up...kill dogs or puppies that chase a ball...kill dogs or puppies that play bite..kill. How anyone could support and give money to these bastards I'll never know. :mad

Even a person with a 6th grade education knows there's something very wrong with this vile pack of bastards who pretend to care for all animals great and small. How many of your dogs would pass these stupid tests, I know mine wouldn't, have a look at the links below especially the last one and the comments.

http://www.northweststar.com.au/story/384977/rspca-criticised-over-claims-test-to-decide-fate-of-dogs-is-misused/

http://www.savingpets.com.au/2013/02/not-so-precious-when-an-ear-infection-proves-fatal/

http://deathrowpets.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/is-temperament-testing-killing-animals-that-could-be-rehomed/

[mantis]

The R$PCA uses these so called temp tests as an excuse to murder thousands of dogs and puppies. The doll test is only one test, dogs or puppies that jump up...kill dogs or puppies that chase a ball...kill dogs or puppies that play bite..kill. How anyone could support and give money to these bastards I'll never know. :mad

Even a person with a 6th grade education knows there's something very wrong with this vile pack of bastards who pretend to care for all animals great and small. How many of your dogs would pass these stupid tests, I know mine wouldn't, have a look at the links below especially the last one and the comments.

http://www.northweststar.com.au/story/384977/rspca-criticised-over-claims-test-to-decide-fate-of-dogs-is-misused/

http://www.savingpets.com.au/2013/02/not-so-precious-when-an-ear-infection-proves-fatal/

http://deathrowpets.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/is-temperament-testing-killing-animals-that-could-be-rehomed/

Spot on, I can't believe people are still sucked in by this cruel & corrupt organisation.

Edited April 8, 2013 by mantis

[corvus]

I must be over-educated or something. I feel terrible for the RSPCA staff I've met. When they speak to me their passion and desire to improve the lot of unwanted animals is pretty naked, and so is their frustration that there are so many problems and so little resources and so much wrong with community attitudes. And they know that there are no easy answers if they've been around for a while. I wouldn't want to walk a mile in their shoes. It looks like a hard job to me, and I'm very sympathetic. The vitriol directed towards them from some on here is a bit offensive to me. If you had met these people, spoken to them, looked at the grimness in their faces, I don't think you would say such callous things about them. I get that some people are very bitter and jaded for wrongs they feel have been done, but really, get a grip. It is ugly out there. There's no way to make it pretty.

[melzawelza]

The base level staff aren't the problem with the RSPCA. They are generally as you said, good caring people who are very upset and frustrated - probably because their organisation's appalling set up and use of funds means they have to kill lots of animals.

That doesn't change the fact that the RSPCA (with the exception of the ACT) is an appalling organisation that thoroughly deserves to be criticized.

[mantis]

The base level staff aren't the problem with the RSPCA. They are generally as you said, good caring people who are very upset and frustrated - probably because their organisation's appalling set up and use of funds means they have to kill lots of animals.

That doesn't change the fact that the RSPCA (with the exception of the ACT) is an appalling organisation that thoroughly deserves to be criticized.

Exactly, it is only the head that is rotten & needs to be cut off.

[corvus]

The base level staff aren't the problem with the RSPCA.

I'm rarely talking to base level staff. I tend to meet these people at seminars and conferences. I was invited to speak to various managers about my research one time. When they speak frankly you start to realise how difficult their job is. When I was invited to speak to them it was partly about improving temperament tests. They are not clueless at all. A lot of the stuff people have been saying about them on this thread indicates poor understanding of the issues.

[melzawelza]

Double post.

Edited April 8, 2013 by melzawelza

[melzawelza]

So the RSPCA NSW doesn't kill 40% of unclaimed dogs then?

[WreckitWhippet]

Clueless, useless, money driven and lost sight many moons ago "for all creatures".

[Christina]

Clueless, useless, money driven and lost sight many moons ago "for all creatures".

Results & what they do are variable from place to place. Some will also work well with volunteers, fosters & rescuers & some won't do anything with them at all.

I saw somewhere that staff often have stress/burn out/PTS disorders & no wonder. Its a tragic & heartbreaking job & basic staff don't make the big decisions.

Sometimes they do a wonderful deed which is often offset by many stupid actions however what they have all lost sight off is that

The problem is the dog & cat owners.

They are the people taking the dogs & cats in or neglecting the dogs & cats.

Its not breeders, pet shops, puppy farms really.

If people didn't buy on a whim, have easy options if it went wrong & took responsibility there would be far less dogs & cats in there.

Sometimes things go wrong. People die, get bad a bad illness or other life events where they can't care for their pet but that's not why most end up there.

Its because I can't train it, cope with it, be bothered with it, make the kids behave with it, groom it, desex it, keep it on my own property, provide the right environment for it or be bothered to find a new home that suits it if mine doesn't.

So yes they do a poor job because they are not tackling the cause & root of the problem.

The owners.

[dogbesotted]

Clueless, useless, money driven and lost sight many moons ago "for all creatures".

i agree with this comment but do not apply it to many of the people who are at the "real" end of the work needing to be carried out. However i do think that Th eRSPCA has lost sight of its original vision for all creatures.. and spend a deal of time and money on PETA like campaigning. And as i have said before i remember Clifford.

H

[Sheridan]

The base level staff aren't the problem with the RSPCA.

I'm rarely talking to base level staff. I tend to meet these people at seminars and conferences. I was invited to speak to various managers about my research one time. When they speak frankly you start to realise how difficult their job is. When I was invited to speak to them it was partly about improving temperament tests. They are not clueless at all. A lot of the stuff people have been saying about them on this thread indicates poor understanding of the issues.

Next time you meet with the managers at RSPCA NSW perhaps you can ask why the RSPCA will not impound the horses that are starving on Penderlea Common?

[tarope]

The base level staff aren't the problem with the RSPCA.

I'm rarely talking to base level staff. I tend to meet these people at seminars and conferences. I was invited to speak to various managers about my research one time. When they speak frankly you start to realise how difficult their job is. When I was invited to speak to them it was partly about improving temperament tests. They are not clueless at all. A lot of the stuff people have been saying about them on this thread indicates poor understanding of the issues.

corvus

You have been brainwashed by this vile multi-million dollar organization that claims to be a charity. Ask your R$PCA mates to tell you the truth about Clifford and why they won't work with rescue groups. Ask them why they stand over registered breeders and dog owners, ask them why with millions of dollars they beg for newspapers and cat litter from the general public. Ask them why they spend millions on advertising, shouldn't the money be spent on the animals in their care.

Ask them why they use these stupid temp tests, especially the doll temp test as I said even a person with a 6th grade education knows something is very wrong with them. Just for the record I tried the doll test on my rescue GSD puppy (12 mths old) and she jumped back barked and growled at it...even though she has a lovely nature and is very good with kids...mmmm I'd better take her to the R$PCA straight away and have her put to sleep. Also check out these links, you might change your mind ...so many people can't be wrong.

http://www.markmaldridge.com/RSPCA-----SOME-TRUTH.html

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/402230/poll-debate-over-rspca-temp-test/

http://lawyersforcompanionanimals.com.au/rspca-cops-a-serve-over-two-dead-dogs/

http://lawyersforcompanionanimals.com.au/opinion-poor-rescue-groups-shame-rich-rspca-2/

http://www.careaware.info/euthanasia.html

http://www.rspcawatchdog.org/home.htm

http://deathrowpets.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/rspca-nsw-working-with-rescue-groups-or-not/

http://twolittlecavaliers.com/2013/01/dog-lovers-take-a-stand-against-rspca.html

http://www.savingpets.com.au/2013/03/rspca-nsw-gives-a-big-fu-to-rescue-groups/

Edited April 9, 2013 by tarope

[m-j]

The base level staff aren't the problem with the RSPCA.

I'm rarely talking to base level staff. I tend to meet these people at seminars and conferences. I was invited to speak to various managers about my research one time. When they speak frankly you start to realise how difficult their job is. When I was invited to speak to them it was partly about improving temperament tests. They are not clueless at all. A lot of the stuff people have been saying about them on this thread indicates poor understanding of the issues.

corvus

You have been brainwashed by this vile multi-million dollar organization that claims to be a charity. Ask your R$PCA mates to tell you the truth about Clifford and why they won't work with rescue groups. Ask them why they stand over registered breeders and dog owners, ask them why with millions of dollars they beg for newspapers and cat litter from the general public. Ask them why they spend millions on advertising, shouldn't the money be spent on the animals in their care.

Ask them why they use these stupid temp tests, especially the doll temp test as I said even a person with a 6th grade education knows something is very wrong with them. Just for the record I tried the doll test on my rescue GSD puppy (12 mths old) and she jumped back barked and growled at it...even though she has a lovely nature and is very good with kids...mmmm I'd better take her to the R$PCA straight away and have her put to sleep. Also check out these links, you might change your mind ...so many people can't be wrong.

http://www.markmaldridge.com/RSPCA-----SOME-TRUTH.html

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/402230/poll-debate-over-rspca-temp-test/

http://lawyersforcompanionanimals.com.au/rspca-cops-a-serve-over-two-dead-dogs/

http://lawyersforcompanionanimals.com.au/opinion-poor-rescue-groups-shame-rich-rspca-2/

http://www.careaware.info/euthanasia.html

http://www.rspcawatchdog.org/home.htm

http://deathrowpets.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/rspca-nsw-working-with-rescue-groups-or-not/

http://twolittlecavaliers.com/2013/01/dog-lovers-take-a-stand-against-rspca.html

http://www.savingpets.com.au/2013/03/rspca-nsw-gives-a-big-fu-to-rescue-groups/

Ok RSPCA aside, what do you suggest as an alternative test?

[corvus]

Brainwashed?? Ahhh, so that's what happened. I should send my OH over to them. He has SUCH a dirty mind.

ETA It was the sad puppy eyes, wasn't it? They learn from the best!

Edited April 10, 2013 by corvus