Canine Behavior 105 - Temperament Assessment

A temperament assessment is a valuable tool for uncovering potential issues that may impact a dog’s successful placement in a home. However, relying solely on an exam process to evaluate adoptability offers only a partial view of a dog’s emotional state at the time of the assessment. Behaviour 105 – Canine Assessment is designed to provide participants with the skills needed to create a more complete and nuanced picture of a dog’s disposition, including their strengths, potential challenges, and special needs. By combining various assessment methods, participants will learn how to assess dogs more holistically, ensuring that they are placed in the most appropriate home environment.

Throughout this course, participants will gain hands-on experience in performing a comprehensive temperament assessment. This includes the use of historical data, keen observational skills, and a structured assessment exam. The goal of the program is to educate dog trainers, behaviour consultants, shelter workers, and other professionals on how to identify areas where a dog may require additional support prior to adoption, thereby improving their chances of being successfully placed in a suitable home.

The practical portion of the course allows each student to actively engage in live assessments, under the guidance of a Behaviour Consultant, offering direct, real-time feedback and support. This experiential component reinforces the course’s core principles and ensures participants leave with the confidence to assess dogs effectively and compassionately.

This course is ideal for shelter workers, dog trainers, behaviour consultants, canine handlers, veterinary technicians, doggy daycare attendants, and foster parents within rescue groups. Participants will learn how to assess a dog’s genetic predispositions and learned behaviours to gain critical insights into their overall temperament.

Topics to be covered include:

-Assessment Styles: History, Observational Assessment, and Exam Methodology

-Environmental Factors that Impact Temperament

-Recognizing Signs of Social Affiliation and Bonding

-Testing Drives and Motivators to Understand Behavioural Drivers

-Identifying Areas of Sensitivity and Low Tolerance

-Implementing Safe and Effective Exam Handling Practices

-Evaluating Potential Risks and Challenges in Adoptability