TEMPERAMENT and TRAINING

Understanding Domestic Dog Temperament and How It Relates To Training

2006 by Elizabeth Gonzalez and Fine Line K9 Education Division All rights reserved

NOTE: This written guide is an outline of the workshop, Temperament and Training: Understanding Temperament and How It Relates to Training, presented by Elizabeth Gonzalez. As a synopsis, it does not contain all the information presented at the workshop and should not be used as a stand alone text. The information presented at this workshop and its written guide are based on knowledge and experiences gained over numerous decades of handling and studying dogs. Everyones knowledge, experience and physical strength/agility varies. Therefore, one should never handle a dog that is beyond their abilities or skills . Those using this information should always take precautions when handling any dog to insure your safety or the safety of others. The author makes no claims regarding the safety or wellbeing of those using this information, nor to those subsequently effected by its use. Further, this information may not cover all animals or situations and should not replace ones own good judgment or appropriate actions. This material is copyrighted. Neither this presentation nor any part of its written guide may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the author. This includes, but is not limited to: photocopying, microfilming, audio/visual recording; publishing or retrieving to or from web services; or by any information storage, sharing or retrieval systems or devises.
If you would like Information about this or other workshops, contact Fine Line K9 Education Division at, finelinek9@yahoo.com

UNDERSTANDING TEMPERAMENT

What is temperament?

What is the value of varied temperaments in dogs?

Why is it important for us to understand temperament?

How will having a better understanding of temperament benefit you?

How will having a better understanding of temperament benefit the dogs in your care?

How will having a better understanding of temperament benefit your training goals?

WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE TEMPERAMENT?

Genetics and Health

Nurturing and Early Social Structures

LEARNING

Environment

CANINE EARLY DEVELOPMENT

Neonatal Birth to 12 days
Limited sensory development (olfactory, taste, tactile, pain, thermal); Most time spent sleeping; Primitive reflexes and predominant use of flexor muscles; Distress vocalizations; Comfort and nutritive seeking behaviors; Early human gentling has long term effects. Birth to 1 day: Purposeful use of front legs 5 to 9 days: Begin standing on front legs 7 to 9 days: Displays variable preference and avoidance behaviors 7 to 10 days: Purposeful hind-leg use begins

Transitional Period

12 to 21 days

Progressive sensory and neurological development; Behaviors become progressively more active; Learning abilities variable and transitional; Early social behaviors developing. 12 to 13 days: Coordinated backwards movement 12 to 16 days: Eyes open but vision is poor; Upright sitting: Uncoordinated walking; Able to eat semisolid food 17 to 18 days: Weak auditory startle reactions 17 to 21 days: Avoidance learning becomes progressively stable 18 to 21 days: Independent elimination 18 to 21 days: Ear canals open; Auditory startle reaction strengthens 19 to 21 days: Teeth emerge

Primary Socialization

3 through 5 weeks

All sensory modalities functional; Progressive coordination; Complex movements that include running, sparring, and predatory-like behaviors; Significant developmental improvements in the ability to learn; Evidence of social bonding appears; Social dominance behaviors emerge, though variable and unstable. 3 weeks: Early visual and auditory orienting responses 3 to 3 weeks: Social play, antagonistic and competitive behaviors appear 3 to 4 weeks: Appearance of social tail wagging 3 to 4 weeks: Startle reactions, and the visual and auditory orienting responses are well developed

Secondary Socialization

6 to 14 weeks

Signs of independent behaviors and social hierarchal tendencies develop and strengthen. 6 through 8 weeks: Optimal period for secondary socialization Week 7: Social sensitivities emerge 6 though 7: Elimination habits and location preferences emerge and develop 7 to 8 weeks: Brain Electroencephalogram (EEG) begins to stabilize and become more adultlike 8 through 10 weeks: Sensitive period for fear learning 6 through 12 weeks: Highly receptive learning abilities strengthen 10 through 12 weeks: Ideal time to introduce novel environments

Juvenile Period

14 weeks to the beginning of adolescence

Sensory organization continues to mature; Motor coordination progressively fluid and adultlike; Integration of all major functional systems; Progressive stabilization of dominance relations with dominance and appeasement rituals established; Receptive period for social sensitivities and confidence development 12 through 16 weeks: Learning abilities progress and strengthens 12 through 15 weeks introduction to novel environments and situations continues to be beneficial Week 16: Rate of learning slows down 16 through 21 weeks plus: Permanent teeth begin to emerge

COMPARATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMANS AND DOGS

Various Points of Development First Critical Early Learning Period Able to Eat Adult Like Food First Signs of Early Hierarchal Behaviors BRAIN DEVELOPMENT EEG Becomes Adultlike Growth Of Brain Complete Adolescence Begins Body Reaches Adult Maturation Age of Human Development 5 months through 5 years (+/- 2 month) 14 months (+/- 2 month) Age of Dog Development 3 through 16 weeks 3 to 5 weeks 3 weeks (+/- 3 days)

3 years (+/- 4months)

7 to 10 years 19 years (+/-3 years)

8 wks (+/- 4 days) 10 to 14 months

11 to 13 years 17 to 25 years

5 to 7 months Dependent on Breed 8 months to 2 years

The above table demonstrates some of the developmental differences between humans and domestic dogs.

THE COMPONENTS OF TEMPERAMENT

PRIMARY ORIENTATION Self (age appropriate / age inappropriate) Social (human / dog / other animals) Environment (stimulation, sensitivity or predatory) SOCIAL ORIENTATION Cooperative Solicitous / Contributory Competitive Opportunistic / Demanding / Selfish SENSITIVITY OR CONFIDENCE LEVELS Socially confident / Socially sensitive Environmentally confident / Environmentally sensitive ABILITY TO RECOVER From stress From excitement From frustration TOLERANCE LEVELS For being handled For taking direction For reprimands RANK ORIENTATION AND IMPORTANCE Dog tends to defer Dog tends to seek resolution Dog tends to challenge How important is rank or rank order to the dog

INHIBITION, MOTIVATION, STIMULATION AND / OR AROUSAL LEVELS Towards social interactions Towards play and or toys Towards environment (confidently engaged, sensitivity or prey) Towards food
HOW DOES THE DOG HANDLE FRUSTRATION? Frustration Solicitation Frustration Indifference / Withdrawing Frustration Shutting down Frustration Agitation Frustration Aggravation CONFLICT RESOLUTION Communication Calming gestures: turns away, ignores or acts uninterested; yawns, stretches, licks lips or nose, blinks, etc. Displacement/Pacifying: flaunts, flirts, redirects, appeasement behaviors Defensive Avoidance: flees, hides, acts intimidated/terrorized Challenges: overly dominant displays, bullying tactics, threatens or aggresses

EARLY LIFE INFLUENCES ON TEMPERAMENT

Conception to 3 weeks: Fetus and Early Whelp Development INFLUENCED BY GENETICS INFLUENCED BY UTERINE IMPRINTING INFLUENCED BY UTERINE ORDER INFLUENCED BY HUMANS INFLUENCED BY LITTER MATES INFLUENCED BY MOTHER INFLUENCED BY THE ENVIRONMENT TEMPERAMENT COMPONENTS DEVELOPING Primary Orientation Sensitivity or Confidence Levels Ability to Recover Rank Orientation Inhibition, Motivation, Stimulation or Arousal Levels 3 to 5 weeks: Eyes and Ears Opened; Developing Coordination; Starting to Become Interactive with Mother, Littermates, the Environment and Humans; Learning Launches into High Gear, Competitive and Cooperative Activities Begin, Hierarchal and Predatory Like Play Behaviors Appear INFLUENCED BY GENETICS INFLUENCES FROM MOTHER INFLUENCES FROM LITTER MATES INFLUENCES FROM THE ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCES FROM HUMANS AND/OR OTHER ANIMALS TEMPERAMENT COMPONENTS DEVELOPING Primary Orientation Social Orientation Sensitivity or Confidence Levels Ability to Recover Tolerance Levels Rank Orientation and Rank Importance How The Dog Handles Frustration Inhibition, Motivation, Stimulation or Arousal Levels Conflict Resolution 5 to 16 weeks: Development of Complex Movements, Fears and Sensitivities; Critical Learning Period Begins; Progressive Development of Competitive, Cooperative, Social Hierarchal and Predatory Behaviors TEMPERAMENT COMPONENTS DEVELOPING Primary Orientation Social Orientation Sensitivity or Confidence Levels Ability to Recover Tolerance Levels Rank Orientation and Rank Importance How The Dog Handles Frustration Inhibition, Motivation, Stimulation or Arousal Levels Conflict Resolution

LEARNING
Learning: A Relatively Permanent Change in Behavior that Results from Experience. How do dogs learn? Classical Conditioning: Learning by Association Operant/Instrumental Conditioning: Learning by a Resulting Consequence Social Learning/Facilitation: Learning by Observing Others or Co-participation Latent Learning: Accumulated Information with No Current Relevance Cognitive Learning: Learning by Progressive Deductive Conclusions The Classical Conditioning Sequence
Stimulus Response A Stimulus is presented The stimulus solicits a physiological, emotional or behavioral Response

The Operant Conditioning Sequence (or ABCs)

Antecedent Behavior Consequence Antecedent solicits a behavior Behavior is performed Behavior results in a Consequence

Four Types of Consequences that Influence Operant Conditioning

Positive Reinforcement Present something good: Behavior becomes more likely Positive Punishment Present something bad: Behavior becomes less likely Negative Reinforcement Take away something bad: Behavior becomes more likely Negative Punishment Take away something good: Behavior becomes less likely

Social Learning Sequence

Observation Co-Participation or Mimicry / Imitation Object Observes the behavior of another animal The Object Mimics / Imitates or Co-Participates in the other animals behavior

Latent Learning Sequence

Random Information is Accumulated Accumulated Information Later Proves to have Relevance Object Accumulates Random Information from the Environment or Social Situations Though the Accumulated Information has no current applications or relevance, This information Proves to be Useful at a Later Time

Cognitive Learning Sequence

If (fill in the blank) is true Then (fill in the blank) must follow (and/or) be true A Cognitive Concept is established Deductions are formed from that Concept, which leads to Progressive Changes in the concept, its resulting behaviors and/or emotional responses

THE FOUR STAGES OF LEARNING

Acquisition is the process of acquiring or learning new skills, behaviors or knowledge. Fluency is the stage where the behavior or recall of the knowledge becomes automatic. Generalization: (Or Location, Location, Location!) Generalization is the stage whereby the dog is able to perform the behaviors in multiple places and varied social situations. Since many dogs are situational learners, generalization is an important training stage to achieve and master. Maintenance: Once a behavior is mastered, maintenance is the stage where the learned behavior endures over time. This means the dog can reliably perform the behavior in a week, month, year, decade, etc.

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE OR HAVE AN EFFECT ON LEARNING

PHYSICAL ABILITY: Does the dog have the physical structure and ability that
allows them to perform the desired task?

EMOTIONAL CAPACITY: Does the dog have the emotional capacity to perform or
complete the behavior?

MENTAL CAPASITY OR BRAIN PHYSIOLOGY : Does the dog have the cognitive
skills or brain health/physiology that allows the dog to learn the task or behavior?

STRESS: Stressors that can have an effect on learning include: environmental

stress such as extremes in heat or cold, loud noises, excessive visual stimuli, etc; physiological stress like hunger/starvation, thirst/dehydration, exhaustion, illness, injury, etc; emotional stress such as fear, anxiety, rage/anger, panic, extreme states of arousal, etc.; social stress which includes social discomfort, new or unusual social situations or conflicts with rank or leadership issues.

REINFORCEMENT HISTORY: A reinforcement history is all leaning that happens

when a dog engages in social situations or with their environment. A dogs reinforcement history has the capacity to influence present as well as future behaviors. Also known as Experiential Learning, a reinforcement history can include: rewards that encourage behaviors or punishments/aversive situations that inhibit behaviors; progressive successes in behavior(s) that builds the dogs confidence and/or level of assertiveness; and fear invoking situations that inhibit behaviors, decreases confidence and/or increases fearful reactiveness.

SURVIVAL REWARDS are things a dog must have in order to survive. These include food, water and the ability to avoid hazards. SOCIAL REINFORCEMENTS are any aspects of a dog's social life. These include
any social behaviors such as playing, attention, petting, social status or rank concerns.

ENVIRONMENTAL REINFORCEMENTS are anything a dog receives from the

environment that inhibits or encourages behaviors or emotional reactions. These include places or items that the dog can interact with or investigate. Environmental reinforcements that are rewarding may include: laying or sleeping on a bed or piece of furniture; using things or fixtures in the environment as toys or chew items; resting in the shade on a hot day; laying in the sun on a cool day; finding shelter from wind or rain; etc. Investigating the environment can also be rewarding and can include seeking behaviors such as: digging; scavenging type behaviors; smelling; prey driven behaviors; visual seeking; etc.

MOTIVATION and DRIVE: All dogs have varying levels of motivation and drive.
The stimulus that prompts a behavior and the degree that a dog is motivated can change depending on a number of circumstances and factors. A dog who just ate a large meal, will be less food motivated than a hungry dog. Drive, on the other hand, is a more constant condition that compels survival enhancing behaviors. This may include the prompting of the defensive drives when a dog is faced with an aggressive opponent or food seeking when a dog is hungry.

MOTIVATION AND DRIVE

The terms MOTIVATION and DRIVE are often used interchangeably. However, I prefer to use these terms separately as one is situational and the other more constant. As it applies to dogs, here is how I use these terms:
MOTIVATION is when a dog seeks to satisfy a transient need or desire that is prompted by physiologic, social or environmental desires. DRIVE is an innate condition that consistently compels a dog to perform specific types of survival or social behaviors that serve to increase a dogs survivability. Motivations, such as hunger or thirst, influence behaviors.

Drive compels specific behaviors and influences the temperament or personality of a dog.
Motivation and Drive are both internal mechanisms that can be used by a trainer to change or mold behaviors. These mechanisms can be instinctual (predatory, maternal, etc.), physiological (hunger, thirst, being too warm or too cool, etc.), emotional (fear, satisfaction, frustration, etc) or social (affiliation, play, rank, etc.) Studying your dogs traits and keenly observing your dogs behaviors will illuminate their motivations and drives.

Your dog may be driven, but you should be the one who steers them.

How to identify and use what motivates or drives your dog to help your training process.

How to suppress or modify drives that are counter productive to your training goals.

The Instinctual Drives of Domestic Dogs

Survival
Breeding, Propagation
Defensive Fight Flight
Reactive Fleeing/ Freezing Hazard Avoidance

Social
Breeding, Propagation
Competitive or Cooperative
Maternal or Care Giver

Pack Competitive

Prey, Food Acquisition

Cooperative

The above flow chart illustrates the relationships between the varied aspects of drive.

The above flow chart shows the relative relationships

Drive Levels

A dogs Drives Levels will range between Weak and/or Passive and can incrementally increase to Strong and/or Intense (as illustrated above). Drive Levels influence the degree of effort a dog is willing to expend to satisfy specific drives.

Drive Expression

Drive Expression, on the other hand, determines how drive expresses, which takes into account a dogs mode and degree of reactivity towards specific drives. How a dog expresses their drives will range from Calm and/or Focused to Hectic and/or Frantic. This makes drive multi-dimensional and should therefore be graphed on a multi-variant axis.

COMPETITION, COOPERATION & CONTRIBUTION THE CORNER STONES OF CANINE SOCIETY

Dogs descended from wolves. As social predators that live in packs wolves hunt large prey, raise litters, defend territory and occasionally scavenge. It is therefore instinctual for wolves (and subsequently dogs) to be cooperative, contributory, competitive and opportunistic since these behaviors help to insure the individuals and the packs survival.

What is competition and why is it important in canine society?

What is cooperation and why is it important in canine society?

What is contribution and why is it important in canine society?

Some of the three Cs seem to be at odds. How do we overcome that obstacle?

COMPITITION COOPERATION

CONTRIBUTION How can we develop our dogs social need to contribute?

How can we recognize when the three Cs are working for or against our training goals?

Can we selectively encourage or suppress competition, cooperation and/or contribution?

LEADERSHIP
As hierarchical animals, how do domestic dogs establish their social order?

How fixed or how fluid is canine social order?

What variables determine the hierarchical order of canine society? What is the alpha dogs role? The Harmonious Pack vs The Quarrelsome Pack To Alpha or Not to Alpha, That is the Question. Our dogs live in a human society Humans do not live in a canine society. Humans are humans dogs are dogs What are some of the differences between leadership and dominance? Leadership Cooperation Contribution

Dominance Submission An increase in Competitive and Opportunistic Behaviors

Why is it important for us to teach our dogs that privileges and resources are earned by what they contribute to the family/pack? How can we use the distribution of resources to establish leadership with our dogs? Putting your dog on the earn while they learn program.

DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS WITH DOGS

When a dog learns to respect your leadership, a higher level of reliability is added to their future training. Since power struggles over rank are reduced or eliminated, more energy is devoted to train and maintain desired tasks or behaviors. This means you train less and get more. WAYS TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP WITH YOUR DOG You manage and distribute all of your dog's resources in ways that clearly demonstrates to the dog, The way to get the things I need or want is through my owner/trainer. By cooperating with my owner/trainer I have access to all things wonderful. Resources are anything and everything you provide to your dog or things the dog desires (see next page). Never give any resources to your dog, unless they earn it. For example: the dog wants attention, you wait until they sit patiently before petting them; before presenting their food bowl your dog must maintain a down stay; the dog sits and give you sustained eye contact, before jumping out of the car. If the dog wants it, they must earn it by acting in a mannerly fashion or displaying a good behavior. Reward and encourage your dog's cooperation with you. Direct your interactions and training sessions on exercises that develop: focused attention on you, following, targeting to your hand, staying and waiting. Never reward rude or pushy demands or behaviors. These include jumping on you, excessive nudging, pawing, barking or whining, etc. Generously reward an attentive sit, a single polite nudge followed by a sit or down, etc. Remember you set the rules and standards. What you tolerate today, you live with tomorrow. Have the dog "ask" to go through all doorways and narrow paths such as halls, stairs, car doors, or crowded areas by sitting, sustaining eye contact with you and waiting for your permission to go through. This not only builds your leadership but could save your dogs life. Use management techniques and tools to prevent the behaviors you don't want and to foster the behaviors you do want. Be pro-active instead of reactive. If you can predict an unwanted behavior, you can prevent it. Manage situations, the environment and your dog to prevent problem behaviors. Intervene in all inappropriate behaviors and remove the opportunity for your dog to perform those behaviors (such as tying out, crating or moving items out of your dogs reach). Put play behaviors on cue. Only play games with your dog that encourage their cooperation and contribution (retrieving, hide and seek, you hide the dog seeks). Control if, when, where and how your dog plays with you.

THE RESOURCES WE HAVE AVALABLE TO BUILD A STRONG LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION WITH OUR DOGS
Your dog should only be given or be allowed access to the following resources when they display good manners or behaviors. This helps to establish your leadership, promotes proper behaviors, encourages the dogs desire to contribute and increases their cooperation skills. FOOD Daily kibble or food rations and any and all treats. Place the dogs food rations in small bags which you keep on or near you. Give small handfuls of the dogs daily food ration each time they focus their attention on you or perform good behaviors. During this phase of training never leave food in a bowl for the dog to freely eat. ATTENTION AND AFFECTION All verbal interactions, praise, eye contact, petting, touch and physical contact of any kind. POSSESSIONS Toys, beds, furniture, chew toys, bones or anything else your dog see as valuable which can be taken into their possession. SLEEPING STATUS Sleeping close to whoever your dog perceives as a leader, elevates their status. This privilege should be removed when rank elevation skirmishes or problems are displayed. Dogs with rank elevation or rank importance issues should never sleep on a persons bed or on furniture. RIGHT OF WAY THROUGH NARROW PASSAGES Teaching your dog to wait for permission to go through narrow passages such as doorways, halls, stairs, car doors, crowded areas, etc, helps to establish your leadership, helps to develop patience and self control and is a good tool to keep you and your dog safe. ACCESS TO VARIOUS ROOMS IN THE HOME Limit your dog's access to just a couple rooms. Then allow your dog to earn freer movement throughout the home. You can also limit access as a consequence for inappropriate rank elevation displays.

PLAY Controlling when, where and how your dog plays gives you potent reinforcements and rewards that helps manage and train your dog. Avoid games that encourage the use of physical strength or any type of controlling or bullying behaviors. Teach your dog games that encourage cooperation.
EXERCISE AND WALKS Good tools for your reinforcement/reward system. ACCESS TO WATER Your dog needs free access to water when left alone for several hours or on hot days. However, by controlling their access to water at other times, you get more variety in your reinforcement/reward system. ACCESS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD AND GUESTS You can build a strong desire towards social affiliation by allowing your dog to earn access to the other people and pets in your home.

When Should Punishment be Considered

The use of aversives or punishments to change behaviors should be well considered. The above flow chart, developed by Dr Pamela Reid, shows reasonable guidelines to follow that can determine if punishment is an appropriate means to change an unwanted behavior.

TYPES OF AGGRESSION DISPLAYED BY DOGS

PLAY related aggression is rarely intended to harm. The play behaviors of dogs mimic predatory behaviors, which include pouncing, stalking, chasing, mouthing, shaking etc. MATERNAL aggression is displayed when offspring are threatened. This type of aggression is eliminated when the offspring are older, 5 to 10 weeks, or when they are no longer with the bitch. FEAR aggression happens when a dog's safety is threatened, or the dog perceives their safety may be threatened. PAIN ELICITED This type of aggression is in response to physical pain or discomfort. PUNISHMENT ELICITED or FEAR aggression can be related categories.

PUNISHMENT ELICITED This type of aggression is in response to a reprimand or punishment the dog perceives as inappropriate or too severe. This can be a DOMINANCE or RANK ORIENTED response. With some dogs this may be a response to FEAR or PAIN.
POSSESSION This type of aggression occurs when the dog is in possession of food, toys or any item the dog sees as valuable and does not want to relinquish. This can also be, and often is, a DOMINANCE related response. PROTECTIVE OR TERRITORY This type of aggression occurs when a dog is "defending" their "personal space" which can include the home, a room, their bed or furniture, crates or kennel areas, etc. It may also include the guarding of property, people or other animals. In kenneled, tethered or fenced dogs it may be displayed as barrier aggression. These types of aggression are often related to DOMINANCE or POSSESSION aggression. DOMINANCE OR RANK ORIENTED Dominance or Rank Oriented aggression is in response to threats to a dog's social status or social rank. Dominance/Rank aggression is used to control the behavior(s) of an individual and/or the pack/family to maintain or elevate social status or rank. INTRA MALE, INTRA FEMALE OR FEMALE / MALE These types of aggression happen because of competition or conflict that happens exclusively between dogs of the same sex, or exclusively between dogs of the opposite sex. When displayed only towards dogs of the same sex, this is referred to as COMPETITIVE aggression. These types of aggression are often related to DOMINANCE aggression. AFFILIATION: Affiliation or affilitive aggression happens when two or more dogs of the same pack/household join together to intimidate, attack, aggressively control others (animals or humans) or guard items, pack members, people or territory. Sometimes referred to as PACK AGGRESSION, this type of aggression can be very dangerous. This is because each dogs excitement or frustration can spur-on, amplify and elevate the aggressive responses of the other dog(s) involved in the aggressive incident. REDIRECTED This type of aggression occurs when aggression is directed at another animal, a person or an item that did not trigger the aggressive response. This occurs most commonly when the dog is highly frustrated or aroused. PREDATION This type of aggression is often not considered aggression, but rather a response to secure food. This is true if the dog stalks, catches and consumes their prey. Some dogs have a high arousal response towards "prey" (which can sometimes include running after or chasing people, children, bicyclist, cats or other domestic animals). These dogs potentially may stalk, chase and/or capture an animal or person injuring, or killing them in the process. PATHOLOGIC This type of aggression is a response to a body system disorder or malady. These can include hormonal imbalance, brain disorders, sudden changes in health, etc.

DOMINANCE or SUBMISSIVENESS can be displayed by a wide range of behaviors. They can manifest as constant conditions or can be transitory or situational depending on certain social pressures. Highly dominant or highly submissive dogs will tend to display many or all of the below listed behaviors and gestures.

DOMINANCE ATTITUDES AND POSTURES

Disapproves of being groomed or handled Only accepts petting, attention or affection on their terms Intrusive of peoples or other dogs personal physical space (jumping up on people or animals; clipping as they pass; running into others; harassing behaviors like pawing, mouthing, demanding barking, etc.) Plays with the intent to win or dominate Lying in front of doors or in walkways and refusing to move During conflicts the dog stands their ground and is reluctant to move or compromise Hackles up at the shoulders and/or neck only Growls at people or dogs when they feel their space is being violated Displays bullying or controlling behaviors with the intent to change the behaviors of others Guards food, toys, furniture/beds or territory against people and dogs or other animals Putting their head over another dogs shoulder Stands tall, weight forward on front legs, ears forward and up, tail high and stiff Stares at other dogs or people using a hard and fixed manner Walks towards dogs or people with head straight out level with spine, legs stiff, toes tight and planted into ground, body tense, tail straight out level with spine or pulled to the side and level with spine, may have an intense hard stare (threat mode)

SUBMISSIVE ATTITUDES AND POSTURES

Demonstrates a general lack of confidence Acts reluctant/timid towards being touched by strangers Acts reluctant/timid towards new situations and environments Hiding, backing away or running from strange people or dogs Lowering shoulders or flattening their body towards the ground Going belly up during greetings or when socially stressed Ears flattened back during greetings or when socially stressed Tail tucked when greeted by people or other dogs Head tucked into shoulders or dropped low and may lift a front paw Hackling that goes up the full length of the spine Urinating when being greeted by a stranger or the owner Freezing or balking, not going forward or backward Avoids conflicts. May emotionally and/or mentally melt down when faced with conflicts

ADOPTION AND PLACEMENT OF DOGS AND PUPPIES

Many people choose dogs based solely on color, markings, sex or breed. Often people adopting dogs from shelters or rescue organizations put little thought into the temperament, personality traits or trainability of the dogs they select. With that in mind, its important to match the appropriate dog to the right person. PERSONALITY AND TEMPERAMENT TRAITS IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE HOW ADAPTABLE IS THE DOG? Will the dog be able to adapt to new people, places and situations with little or no stress? INFLUENCING FACTORS Sensitivity or Confidence levels Ability to Recover Tolerance levels Inhibition, Motivation, Stimulation and Arousal levels How does the dog handle Frustration? HOW COMPANIONABLE IS THE DOG? Is the dog congenial and non-aggressive? INFLUENCING FACTORS Primary orientation Social orientation Tolerance levels Rank orientation importance Inhibition, Motivation, Stimulation and Arousal levels How does the dog handles Frustration? Conflict resolution HOW TOLERANT AND PATIENT IS THE DOG? Will the dog be tolerant of being handled or being asked to do something they don't want to do? Will they have the patience to wait for the things they want? INFLUENCING FACTORS Social orientation Sensitivity or Confidence levels Tolerance levels Inhibition, Motivation, Stimulation and Arousal levels How does the dog handles Frustration? Conflict resolution HOW TRAINABLE IS THE DOG? Is the dog motivated to learn and to take directions? Will they be easy and rewarding to train? INFLUENCING FACTORS Primary orientation Social orientation Sensitivity or Confidence levels Ability to recover Tolerance levels Rank orientation importance Inhibition, Motivation, Stimulation and Arousal levels How the dog handles Frustration? Conflict resolution

Factors to Consider When Adopting or Placing Dogs and Puppies into New Homes

Compatibility

Permanency of Placement

Wellbeing of the Public or Community

Wellbeing of the Adopters

Wellbeing of the Dog

DOGS AND CHILDREN

Please note: dogs should only be placed in homes with children, if the children are respectful and well mannered towards animals. Even the best dog may react badly to a child who behaves poorly or inappropriately towards animals.
THE DOG HAS A HIGHER LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCEEDING IN A HOME WITH CHILDREN IF: PRIMARY ORIENTATION You want: The dog's primary orientation is high on the scale towards humans with a high tolerance towards children. Avoid: Dogs that are highly environmentally or prey oriented (dogs with a high prey drive). SOCIAL ORIENTATION Whether the dog is more competitive or cooperative, you want a dog who displays a strong desire to contribute. SENSITIVITY LEVELS You want: The dog to be environmentally and socially confident without overt signs of over confidence. ABILITY TO RECOVER You want: a dog who recovers quickly to a calm state from stress, excitement and frustration. TOLERANCE LEVELS You want: a dog who is highly tolerant of being handled, reprimanded and for taking direction. RANK ORIENTATION *IMPORTANCE You want: Dogs who act as if rank or rank order is not highly important. Avoid: *Dogs who are overly dominant or overly submissive as well as dogs that view rank as highly important. INHIBITION, MOTIVATION, STIMULATION AND/OR AROUSAL LEVELS You want: a dog who is more motivated than stimulated towards food, play, toys and social interactions. The dog's stimulation levels stay relatively low in all areas. If they do get stimulated, they recover to a calmer state quickly. Avoid: *Dogs whose inhibition levels display as overt fearfulness. Avoid: *Dogs who get highly stimulated or hyper-aroused in prey situations (high prey drive). Avoid: *Dogs who get hyper-arouse in any of the above areas or who plays very competitively. HOW DOES THE DOG HANDLE FRUSTRATION? You want: A dog who goes from frustration to indifference or solicitation. Avoid: Dogs who go from frustration to shutting down, *Or from frustration to aggravation.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION You want: Dogs who resolves conflict by using communication that displays calming behaviors. These include turning away, ignoring or acting uninterested. Or they redirect the conflict towards other activities. And/Or they defuse high stress situations by displaying attempts to calm, flaunt and/or flirt. Avoid: *Dogs who use avoidance behaviors that include fleeing or acting terrorized or intimidated when faced with conflict. Avoid: *Dogs who challenge by displaying dominance behaviors, bullying tactics, preaggression displays and / or aggression to resolve conflicts.

DOMINANCE AGGRESSION
DOMINANCE AGGRESSION is a response some dogs will perform when they believe their social rank or status is threatened. Listed below are attributes a dog tends to display if they have a tendency towards dominance or rank oriented aggression. The more of these signs you see, the higher the likelihood the dog will use aggression to resolve social status challenges or rank related issues.
PRIMARY ORIENTATION The dog's orientation is high on the scale to them selves They may also be high on the scale towards the environment. They may be overly oriented to a human(s), *acting highly competitive or controlling towards other animals or people they view as competing for the humans attention or other resources. SOCIAL ORIENTATION The dog's social orientation is high on the scale towards being competitive, *selfish and/or *demanding. SENSITIVITY LEVELS The dog tends towards being overly socially confident. And/Or the dog may be overly environmentally confident or highly vigilant. *They may have a high prey response. ABILITY TO RECOVER The dog recovers slowly from stress, frustration and / or from excitement. *Or the dog has an air of tense control. TOLERANCE LEVELS *The dog shows low tolerances for being handled, for taking direction and/or for reprimands. RANK ORIENTATION AND IMPORTANCE *The dog tends towards viewing their rank as very important and will challenge, use bullying tactics, pre-aggression displays and/or aggression to maintain their social rank or status. INHIBITION, MOTIVATION, STIMULATION AND/OR AROUSAL LEVELS The dog may becomes easily stimulated or aroused towards social interactions, play, toys, the environment and/or towards food. *Or the dog assumes an attitude of thinly veiled controlled aggression or bullying tactics towards social interactions, play, toys, beds, furniture, the environment and/or towards food with regard to other animals or humans present. HOW DOES THE DOG HANDLE FRUSTRATION? *The dog goes from frustration to aggravation or aggression. CONFLICT RESOLUTION *The dog challenges, displays dominance behaviors, bullying tactics pre-aggression displays and/or aggression to resolve conflicts.

FEAR AGGRESSION
A dog has a higher likelihood towards fear aggression if they display combinations of the following. The more of these you see combined, the higher the likelihood for fear related aggression.
PRIMARY ORIENTATION *The dog's orientation is high on the scale to themselves. In social situations they may act aloof, withdrawn or timid. Or the dog may be overly dependent on a single human or only socially tolerant of their immediate family. *The dog may display a high level of environmental hypervigilance.

SOCIAL ORIENTATION The dog tends towards being overly solicitous. *Or is higher on the scale towards being selfish. SENSITIVITY LEVELS The dog is socially sensitive and/or environmentally sensitive. ABILITY TO RECOVER *The dog recovers slowly or does not recover completely from stress. The dog may need to be completely removed from the situation before they recover.
TOLERANCE LEVELS *The dog has low tolerances for being handled and/or for taking direction and/or for reprimands. When handled they may be overly squirmy, display escaping behaviors or act frozen, *intimidated, *terrorized or overly apologetic. RANK ORIENTATION AND *IMPORTANCE The dog may tend to act overly apologetic, or "wormy". They may appear worried when presented with situations they feel compromises the pack / family rank order. *Or the dog tends towards viewing their rank as overly important and will inappropriately challenge, use pre-aggression displays and/or aggression to maintain their comfort level of their social rank / status or the social rank status of the pack. INHIBITION, MOTIVATION, STIMULATION AND / OR *AROUSAL LEVELS The dog may be overly inhibited and may seem overly motivated to please members of their pack or their humans. Or the dog may be overly aloof. *The dog may shut down, become stressed or agitated by play, social pressure or environmental stimulation. Or *the dog becomes agitated or fear-aroused by play, social interactions or the environment.

HOW DOES THE DOG HANDLE FRUSTRATION? The dog goes from frustration to shutting down. *Or the dog easily goes from frustration to aggravation.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION The dog tends to resolve conflict by avoidance behaviors which include fleeing, hiding, acting intimidated and/or terrorized. *When trapped they may use pre-aggression displays or aggressive displays.

TERRITORY OR POSSESSION AGGRESSION

Territory or Possession conflicts account for the majority of dog to human bites in this country. Territory conflicts can manifest as, home or property guarding, furniture or area guarding or barrier aggression. Possession aggression can manifest as food guarding, toy/item, guarding, furniture guarding, or guarding anything the dog sees as valuable.
Rehabilitating dogs with territory or possession aggression is a very difficult process. Even after extensive rehabilitation, you can only reduce the likelihood of an aggressive incident. It is nearly impossible to predict and proof for all the situations and stimulation levels that may cause a possession conflict. Dogs with rank elevation issues combined with possession issues are extremely problematic, making the rehabilitation process particularly arduous. For some dogs, the highly managed environment of a kennel can mask overt behaviors that indicate possession aggression. Conversely, a dog who normally wouldnt develop possession aggression, may develop this condition when kenneled too long. Even a well managed kennel can magnify the conditions that encourage and reinforce possession issues. For these reasons all dogs, who are long term residents at kennels, should be monitored and have regular evaluations to identify possession issues and training that prevents possession issues. If the dog is not displaying possessive behaviors but tests high for the possibility, it is suggested the dog be put on a pro-active plan to prevent possession problems. Dogs who display multiple traits indicating they may have possession problems, should be thoroughly evaluated and observed for signs of possessiveness. The more of these traits you see, the higher the possibility of possession aggression. ORIENTATION Dog's orientation is high on the scale to themselves or the environment. SOCIAL ORIENTATION *Dog is highly competitive. And/Or *Dog tends towards demanding behaviors. ABILITY TO RECOVER *Dog's ability to recover from excitement, frustration or stress is low.

*TOLERANCE LEVELS Low tolerance levels for being handled. And/Or Low tolerance levels for taking direction. And/Or Low tolerance levels for accepting reprimands.
INHIBITION, MOTIVATION, STIMULATION OR AROUSAL LEVELS Dog is overly stimulated or *hyper-aroused by social interactions, play, toys, the environment or food. *Or the dog assumes an attitude of thinly veiled controlled aggression or bullying tactics towards social interactions, play, toys, beds, furniture, the environment and / or towards food with regard to other animals or humans present. HOW THE DOG HANDLES FRUSTRATION Dog frustrates easily and/or *goes from frustration to aggravation or aggression. CONFLICT RESOLUTION *Dog resolves conflict by challenging, aggressing or bullying.

Handling and Proximity Aggression

Any organization or individual engaged in adopting dogs to the public should test for proximity and handling comfort of the dogs they have available. Many thousands of people, and children in particular, are bitten each year simply because they got too close to, touched or handled an overly sensitive dog. There are two primary reasons dogs aggress over proximity or handling issues. These are Fear and/or Dominance. With fear motivated aggression of this type, the dog sees no escape from a "perceived" danger. With dominance related aggression of this type, the dog aggresses in an attempt to influence the behavior of the human or animal they believe are trying to control them. Reviewing the fear and dominance aggression sections will aid in recognizing these issues. The more of these traits you see displayed, the higher the likelihood the dog may display this type of aggression.

(Special Considerations Can be Given to Dogs Rehabilitating from an Injury.)

ORIENTATION Dog's orientation is high on the scale to themselves or the environment. SENSITIVITY LEVELS Dog is socially or environmentally sensitive. Or the dog is *overly confident towards social situations or the environment. ABILITY TO RECOVER Dog's ability to recover from stress, excitement or frustration is low. TOLERANCE LEVELS *Dog has a low tolerance for being handled or for taking direction or reprimands. INHIBITION, MOTIVATION, STIMULATION OR AROUSAL LEVELS Dog is highly stimulated or *hyper-aroused by social interactions, food, play or the environment. *Or the dog assumes an attitude of thinly veiled controlled aggression or bullying tactics towards social interactions, play, toys, beds, furniture, the environment and/or towards food when other animals or humans are present. Or the dog avoids social interactions and or acts fearful of new environments RANK ORIENTATION AND IMPORTANCE *Dog tends to challenge and/or views their rank orientation as very important. Or the dog views the rank order of the pack as very important. HOW THE DOG HANDLES FRUSTRATION *Dog goes from frustration to aggravation easily. Or the dog goes from frustration to shutting down. CONFLICT RESOLUTION Avoidance behaviors with low recovery or dog reactively flees potential conflicts. *Or dog prefers to challenge, use aggression or bullying to resolve conflicts.

Acknowledgments
Although I have trained dogs most of my life, over the last 25 years a number of people have influenced how I relate to and work with dogs. Most notably, Dale Nakashima helped me see dogs differently. Dr Pamela Reid inspired me to learn more about learning. Leslie Neilson taught me the value of management. Valerie Barrette helped me understand the human-dog relationship. Chris Bach demonstrated how motivation and drive could be used effectively. Dr Susan Hetts helped me think holistically about aggression. And Sue Sternberg taught me the value of not assigning justifications or motives for the behaviors or temperaments of dogs. Special thanks goes to Keeper, who unwaveringly and fearlessly refused to change until I changed. The section titled CANINE EARLY DEVELOPMENT is modeled after segments of The Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training Volume I, Steven R. Lindsay and Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition, Adm Miklsi The graphic displaying the consequences of operant conditioning was adapted from, Excellerated Learning , Dr. Pamela Reid

TYPES OF AGGRESSION DISPLAYED BY DOGS was adapted from literature by, Dr. Susan Hetts

BOOKS AND AUTHORS OF INTEREST

Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training Volumes I, II, III, Steven R. Lindsay On Aggression, Konrad Lorenz Animals in Translation, Temple Grandin Dog Language, An Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior and The Evolution of Canine Social Behavior, Roger Abrantes Culture Clash, Jean Donaldson On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals, Turid Rugaas Lend Me an Ear: The Temperament Selection and Training of the Hearing Ear Dog, Martha Hoffman, Published 1999 by Doral Publishing, ISBN # 0-944875-56-4 Dont Shoot the Dog: The New Art of Teaching and Training, Karen Pryor

The Genetics of Dogs, Edited by Anatoly Ruvinsky and Jeff Sampson

The Behavioural Biology of Dogs, Edited by Per Jensen Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition, dm Miklsi Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog, John P. Scott and J. L. Fuller, published 1965 by University of Chicago Press. Ray Coppinger Ian Dunbar John Fisher Michael W. Fox Jack Panksepp John Rogerson Pamela Reid Terry Ryan Sue Sternberg Gary Wilkes For Information on Training or Evaluating Dogs Contact ELIZABETH GONZALEZ AT (530) 898-9050

Graphic from the BSAVA