12
- April
2023
Posted By : PawBoost
Dog Temperament Tests – Adopting a Shelter Dog

This article is contributed by guest author Jesse McDaniel (Writer at CanadaPetCare).

Temperament Tests for Dogs – Checklist for Adopting a Dog

If you’re going to your local shelter to find the newest member of your happy family, you’re on the right track. When you adopt a dog from an animal rescue or shelter, you are saving the life of a loving animal that desperately needs you. There will still be a surplus of shelter dogs in need of a permanent home.

All that remains is for you to choose the dog that is best suited to your needs. To begin, consider what age of the dog will be best for your family. Consider the distinctions between a puppy, an adolescent dog, and a senior dog.

Puppies

Photo Credit: Ben Michel via Unsplash

Even puppies have varying levels of energy and enthusiasm, as well as varying preferences for human contact. Selecting the right puppy can be more complicated than you think. Consider how large the dog would be when it is fully grown. Consider the sort of coat it will have and how much grooming it will take. Consider how much time you have available in your life to care for a puppy. If you decide to get a puppy, keep in mind that you are gambling on what the dog will be like in the future, no matter how sweet and cuddly they are right now.

Adolescent Dog

Photo Credit: Madeline Bowen via Unsplash

This age group accounts for the majority of dogs taken to shelters. These dogs are no longer small and cuddly puppies they are between the ages of 7 and 11 months. These preteens are often bursting with energy, spirit, and enthusiasm. They sometimes become confused as a result of being abandoned unexpectedly. All of these dogs are behaving badly in the shelter. If you fall in love with one of them, their life can only improve!

Senior Dog

Photo Credit: Simone Dalmeri via Unsplash

There are many benefits of choosing an adult dog or a senior dog. Most are also housebroken and are familiar with simple obedience orders. In general, older dogs are quiet and fun to be around. In contrast to a puppy, what you see is what you get from an adult dog. Their personalities, behaviors, and disposition have already developed. Most senior dogs adapt well to their new homes. An adult or senior dog is frequently an excellent option for a senior citizen looking for a calm companion to enjoy. There are a lot of mature dogs up for adoption.

Temperament Evaluation Checklist

Now that you know what age of the dog will be best for your lifestyle, it’s time to see what attitude they have. Consider this before we begin. Animal shelters are often noisy and chaotic places. Dogs of all ages can become distracted as a result of this. This, however, will provide you with a real, but exaggerated, reading on how the dog is likely to behave while they are in your home. Is the dog hyper, shy, defensive, or afraid when you first meet him? If the shelter allows it, take the dog to a different place where you can work with him or her and do some behavior testing.

  • Allow the dog or puppy to sniff around the area for a few minutes before calling him out to see how he responds. Then, take a toy or treat in your hand and walk a few steps forward. Observe, Is the dog following you?
  • Take a pair of keys and start shaking them behind your back. Then, about 5 feet away from the puppy, drop the keys to see how he responds. Is he able to keep his cool, or what happens?
  • Skip through the field joyfully. And, as though you’ve tripped, suddenly fall to the floor. And, as if you’ve tripped, suddenly drop to the floor. Keep an eye out for the dog’s reaction. See how the dog responds.
  • If the dog has passed these checks so far, it is time to see how he responds to human affection. Begin by kneeling in front of the dog and petting it. If the dog is young or a puppy, gently cradle him or keep him in your arms. Let go of the dog if he stiffens up or growls quietly. It’s possible that this dog isn’t used to being treated by humans.
  • Next, use a leash or collar to restrain the dog. Give treats or toys if he is surprised or uneasy. Is he able to relax at this point? If he’s older than 12 weeks, consider leading him around on a leash and see if he’s used to it.

Conclusion

Logically, a dog would behave more stable in a caring home, but these measures will give you a clear understanding of how the dog perceives his surroundings. Once you’ve found the dog that best suits your lifestyle, it’s time to bring him home, provide him with stability and affection, and watch your relationship blossom.

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