The Dog Behavior Wellness Quiz
| How Behaviorally Healthy Dogs Act |
Always |
Sometimes
|
Never |
| My dog is friendly toward people she meets – including
well-behaved children. |
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| My dog can get along with other friendly dogs, both those
she lives with and those outside the family. |
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| My dog can be left alone for reasonable time periods without
becoming anxious or panicked. |
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| My dog will relieve herself only where and when I want her
to. |
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| My dog will readily give up control of food, toys, and other
objects to me, and share her sleeping and resting places with
me. |
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| My dog is relaxed during normal, everyday handling and touching
such as when I wipe her feet, brush her, look in her ears, pet
her, look in her eyes, or touch her collar. |
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| My dog calms down quickly after being startled or getting
excited. |
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| My dog is not overly fearful of normal, everyday events. |
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| My dog barks when necessary or appropriate, but not excessively. |
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| My dog plays well with people without becoming uncontrollable
or too rough. |
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| My dog plays well with other dogs, without becoming uncontrollable,
too rough or threatening. |
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| My dog plays with her own toys, and doesn’t often damage
my possessions. |
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| My dog is affectionate without being needy, clingy or annoying.
|
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| My dog can adapt to changes, such as travel, moving, or confinement
in a carrier, with minimal problems |
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| My dog usually responds when I tell her to sit, down, come
or stay. |
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Results
Remember - how you raise, train, and socialize your dog,
and how well you meet her behavioral needs all have a huge
impact on her behavioral health. All dogs, regardless of
breed, have the potentially to be behaviorally healthy.
It may be more difficult with some dogs, than others, depending
on their natural tendencies.
Use this quiz as a positive guide to tell you what you
need to work on, and don’t be discouraged or judgmental
if your dog’s behavior isn’t everything you
want it to be.
If your dog is in peak behavioral health, you answered Always to every question. Congratulations – you
and your dog have a great relationship, your dog is sure
to be a joy to be around and a welcome addition to your
community.
If you answered Always to more
than half the questions you likely have a good dog whose
behavior needs a little tweaking.
If you answered Always to less
than half the questions, your dog’s behavioral health
definitely needs some attention.
BUT – not all questions are of
equal importance. If your dog is not friendly,
and has snapped or bitten people, even if you answered Always to
all the other questions, your dog’s behavior definitely
needs immediate help.
The other behaviors may be more or less important to you,
depending on your expectations and lifestyle. For example,
if you have children, it’s important that your dog
not guard his possessions, but you may be willing to tolerate
too much barking if your neighbors are not complaining.
If the quiz reveals your dog has behavior issues that need addressing,
Look Up Fido's Problem to learn more and
see what products we have to help you. Also, read our "Choosing
a Trainer or Behavior Consultant" guidelines so you
can find the most qualified person to help you.
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR ASSOCIATES,
Inc.
Copyright 2002 All Rights Reserved.
www.AnimalBehaviorAssociates.com
Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D. Daniel Q. Estep, Ph.D.
Any reproduction of this quiz must cite its source. Not for resale or
inclusion in any publication for sale without written permission from
the authors.
