Falkor watches the aggressive stranger.
Last weekend Falkor was entered in a American Temperament Test Society test near where we live. The ATTS test is very interesting and was created to measure temperament in dogs based on their breed. For example a German Shepherd would react differently to the individual tests than a Yorkie would.
The test consists of 10 subtests and a failure of any of the subtests is an automatic failure of the entire test. During the test you are not allowed to say anything to your dog, including giving any commands. You also cannot touch your dog or attempt to control them with their leash. The dog wears a slip collar and you hold the end of the six foot leash.
Here is a brief description of each of the subtest and how Falkor did with each:
Subtest 1: Neutral Stranger - a person approaches you and engages you in a conversation while completely ignoring the dog. The poor girl that served as our neutral stranger was such a sport. Falkor did the typical Falkor move and stuck his nose right in her crotch. Nice! He was very happy and waggy to meet her.
Subtest 2: Friendly Stranger - a person approaches and asks to pet your dog. Falkor goosed this lady as well and whipped her with his fast wagging tail.
Subtest 3: Reaction to Auditory Stimuli (Hidden Noise)- A person shakes a metal bucket full of rocks from behind a blind and then sets the bucket out for the dog to investigate. Falkor startled slightly at the noise but immediately went to the bucket when it was put out. He also wanted to visit the person that put the bucket out.
Subtest 4: Reaction to Auditory Stimuli (Gunshot ) A hidden person shoots a .22 caliber starter piston 3 times. Falkor reacted and kinda bounced / hopped around when the gun was fired. But he recovered quickly.
Subtest 5: Reaction to Visual Stimuli (Umbrella) A person sitting on a chair opens a big golf umbrella at a 90 degree angle to where your dog is as you walk up. Falkor sniffed the umbrella and then went behind the umbrella to visit the gal holding it. He gave her a really nice wet willy. :)
Subtest 6: Tactile stimuli (Plastic footing) The dog has to walk across a 15ftX6ft length of plastic. Falkor didn't even seem to notice this.
Subtest 7: Tactile stimuli (Wire footing) The dog must walk across a 12ftx3ft length of unfolded expen. Falkor noticed he was walking on something odd but wasn't bothered by it.
Subtest 8: Self protective/aggressive behavior - Non threatening- A person comes out from behind a blind 38 feet in front of the dog and pretends to be drunk/disoriented. Falkor noticed but it didn't concern him.
Subtest 9: Self protective/aggressive behavior - Threatening- Now the person advances toward you and your dog 10 feet in a threatening manner...yelling loudly and waving a stick. This time Falkor put himself in front of me and stared at the guy.
Subtest 10: Self protective/aggressive behavior - Aggressive- Now the person advances within 18 feet the dog/handler yelling louder and hitting the ground with the stick. Falkor stood his ground and watched the person intently.
That is the end of the test! I am thrilled to report that Falkor passed and is now CLWKS Chroma Never Ending Story RA, CGC, TT!!
It was fascinating to to watch all the other dogs during the test. There was a wide variety of breeds represented including shepherds, aussies, a border collie, dobies, a mal, a boxer, a frenchie (which was totally FEARLESS), a golden, a cardi, a pitty, a giant schnauzer, a couple of belgians, 2 field spaniels :), 2 black Russian terriers, and a few others I can't seem to remember.
The test consists of 10 subtests and a failure of any of the subtests is an automatic failure of the entire test. During the test you are not allowed to say anything to your dog, including giving any commands. You also cannot touch your dog or attempt to control them with their leash. The dog wears a slip collar and you hold the end of the six foot leash.
Here is a brief description of each of the subtest and how Falkor did with each:
Subtest 1: Neutral Stranger - a person approaches you and engages you in a conversation while completely ignoring the dog. The poor girl that served as our neutral stranger was such a sport. Falkor did the typical Falkor move and stuck his nose right in her crotch. Nice! He was very happy and waggy to meet her.
Subtest 2: Friendly Stranger - a person approaches and asks to pet your dog. Falkor goosed this lady as well and whipped her with his fast wagging tail.
Subtest 3: Reaction to Auditory Stimuli (Hidden Noise)- A person shakes a metal bucket full of rocks from behind a blind and then sets the bucket out for the dog to investigate. Falkor startled slightly at the noise but immediately went to the bucket when it was put out. He also wanted to visit the person that put the bucket out.
Subtest 4: Reaction to Auditory Stimuli (Gunshot ) A hidden person shoots a .22 caliber starter piston 3 times. Falkor reacted and kinda bounced / hopped around when the gun was fired. But he recovered quickly.
Subtest 5: Reaction to Visual Stimuli (Umbrella) A person sitting on a chair opens a big golf umbrella at a 90 degree angle to where your dog is as you walk up. Falkor sniffed the umbrella and then went behind the umbrella to visit the gal holding it. He gave her a really nice wet willy. :)
Subtest 6: Tactile stimuli (Plastic footing) The dog has to walk across a 15ftX6ft length of plastic. Falkor didn't even seem to notice this.
Subtest 7: Tactile stimuli (Wire footing) The dog must walk across a 12ftx3ft length of unfolded expen. Falkor noticed he was walking on something odd but wasn't bothered by it.
Subtest 8: Self protective/aggressive behavior - Non threatening- A person comes out from behind a blind 38 feet in front of the dog and pretends to be drunk/disoriented. Falkor noticed but it didn't concern him.
Subtest 9: Self protective/aggressive behavior - Threatening- Now the person advances toward you and your dog 10 feet in a threatening manner...yelling loudly and waving a stick. This time Falkor put himself in front of me and stared at the guy.
Subtest 10: Self protective/aggressive behavior - Aggressive- Now the person advances within 18 feet the dog/handler yelling louder and hitting the ground with the stick. Falkor stood his ground and watched the person intently.
That is the end of the test! I am thrilled to report that Falkor passed and is now CLWKS Chroma Never Ending Story RA, CGC, TT!!
It was fascinating to to watch all the other dogs during the test. There was a wide variety of breeds represented including shepherds, aussies, a border collie, dobies, a mal, a boxer, a frenchie (which was totally FEARLESS), a golden, a cardi, a pitty, a giant schnauzer, a couple of belgians, 2 field spaniels :), 2 black Russian terriers, and a few others I can't seem to remember.
2 comments:
Good job Falkor! That is very cool. I helped with a temperament test a few years ago - I got to "shake my can" with rocks in it.
The Mal club is offering a test at nationals next spring and I want to take it with Phoenix. Really not sure how he will respond to the "stranger danger" part.
It will be hard to keep my mouth shut for that long. ( :
You should totally try it at the Nationals!! It was fascinating. It was VERY hard not being able to say a single word though. LOL I had to bite my lip a few times.
The way Falkor reacted to the aggressive stranger was a big surprise to me. He can be VERY protective of me and is usually pretty vocal about it. I thought for sure that Falkor would have "gone off" on the aggressive stranger.
I honestly think that many dogs could sense that it wasn't an *actual* threat. Obviously, the handler's response to a real crazy, freak yelling and running towards you would be different than just standing there like a post. LOL
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