Temperament Test For Dogs
While In The Kennel

Temperament Test + Dog Aggression In Kennels

You might decide to adopt a puppy with the thinking that “a puppy is too young to have aggression and other problems.” WRONG. A puppy can have buried aggression just as much as an adult dog. She can have fear aggression, anything. So, before you adopt a puppy or mature dog, this article is for you!

If you have children, bring one or two along. It’s going to be important to see how the dog reacts to the kids. A caution here and that is, SOME dogs take a while to adjust to children so this is not a 100% temperament test, but it is an indication.

If a dog comes up to you
and offers one of her possessions
for you to take, she’s a winner!

Eliminate the possibility that the dog you are considering only wants you to let him out of the cage.

This happy sportsman could be hiding a testy temper.

This time, with your hand still at the cage but not in it, move your hand around in a circle of sorts.

After you’ve selected a dog, have a staff member open the door and take the dog outside for a short walk.

A dog that comes to the front of the cage and
wants to be petted probably has few or no aggression issues. Continue the test.

At this point your chance to adopt a dog or adopt a puppy is going pretty well, but dog aggression can be hidden quite well. Take your hand and, starting at the dog’s head, stroke him gently all the way down his back, stopping at his tail. Repeat this a few times.

Pet and massage and praise the dog for a ‘couple minutes. If he stays with you and seems to enjoy the attention, if he snuggles into your lap, licks you or even begs for more, you have a good dog, ready for a new home. He’s saying, “you came to adopt a dog, so adopt ME!”

Don’t let looks fool you.
This little sweetheart
may have a lot of aggression “bottled up!”

Dog Aggression, You’re Enemy

The kennel may let you can take the dog out for walks and get to know him a little better than just in the cages but you need to do some temperament tests for dog aggression problems with some simple in-kennel testing. See above section.

While walking, how does your dog react to other dogs that may also be out walking? With pleasant curiosity, or anger and growling? If anger and growling, put the dog back and keep moving. He just failed this temperament test.

Locate any dog aggression in the kennel before you adopt a dog. You also want a friendly dog free of separation anxiety if possible, that comes forward to you in the cage ON HIS OWN.

Don’t ever call a dog that hangs back in his cage. Dogs that stay in the back of the cage are often fearful and can show fear-biting and dominance when they get out.

When you walk into a kennel to adopt a dog, most of the dogs will bark at the same time and start jumping around, slamming against the chain link fencing, trying to get your attention. The noise can shatter your ears. They are saying “get me out of this cage,” as opposed to “I want to go home with you.” People make that mistake. All the dog wants is to get out! They can hide a lot of dog aggression and fool you into an easy dog adoption by acting that way. I’ve had experience with dog adoption and kennels and the temperament test process.

The dog or puppy that voluntarily comes up to the front of the cage, tail swishing back and forth so hard his hind end is swaying, and looks up at you or turns sideways to the cage door so you can see to pet him better is the one you want to seriously consider.

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