Barriers To Formal Behavioural Assessment

[mixeduppup]

I wonder how many LGDs would fair well without breed specific knowledge

[Cosmolo]

I have tested a number of LSG's. Some passed outright, others were referred to breed specific rescue for further assessment.

[mixeduppup]

I have tested a number of LSG's. Some passed outright, others were referred to breed specific rescue for further assessment.

I know that quite a few people read LGDs wrong out of the pound so I think it's important to have people that are familiar with at least the basics of most breeds so they understand what is normal.

[Cosmolo]

Can you clarify what you mean by reading wrong and what you would consider to be normal?

[mixeduppup]

Can you clarify what you mean by reading wrong and what you would consider to be normal?

Well LGDs are naturally standoffish and many people I have met have considered it to be fear.

[Cosmolo]

How many of those people were conducting assessments though? Almost everyone i meet struggles to read dog body language- this is across all breeds and cross breed though, people just generally struggle with understanding another species.

[mixeduppup]

How many of those people were conducting assessments though? Almost everyone i meet struggles to read dog body language- this is across all breeds and cross breed though, people just generally struggle with understanding another species.

A few of them have been working in the veterinary industry and one occasionally helped conduct tests but not often. The rest have been general public meeting an LGD. It's true, unless you really spend time learning to read it and experience it first hand many people would not understand much of what a dog is really saying.

Edited April 28, 2013 by mixeduppup

[*kirty*]

I have stopped taking in foster dogs, except for the IGs, because I decided it was too risky. With the kids and all the animals here, it was just too much to chance. I had taken in a few dogs who were assessed, but not formally, and they were not what I expected and did not fit in here. My assessment of dogs is clearly different from other people's, but I also trust my gut when assessing dogs. My friend took on a foster recently and I didn't trust him with my little IG despite being reassured he tested fine with smalls. He later tried to rip my IG out of my arms and tried to kill my friend's cat. At least with the IGs they are tiny so can't do much damage, not that I've had any problems with them fitting in.

ETA: I think some people apply a lot of bias or make excuses when assessing dogs and I don't think it is helpful. Eg so often I read 'snappy at the moment but would be fine in a quiet home' or 'funny with other dogs but should be fine once out of the pound'. Nobody knows what the dog will be like out of the pound and surely some caution should be taken when making these statements. Some dogs do act up at the pound through fear or whatever, but others act true to form and may even be worse when out.

Edited April 28, 2013 by *kirty*

[*kirty*]

Sorry, realised I went OT. My point was that bias and excuses also get in the way of good assessments. :D

[tdierikx]

A disclaimer stating that "any assessment done under stressful/pound conditions need to be taken as a guideline only" should be attached to all assessments done by anyone who is not a fully qualified professional in the field of dog behaviours.

T.