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An assessment is an overall evaluation of your dogs temperament and personality. We look at all areas of the dogs life and the effect this has on the dog. The evaluation aims to gauge coping ability, self control skills and training ability. It gives us an idea of what the dog is like, what the dog can tolerate, what the dog likes or dislikes and what motivates and encourages the dog.
All assessments and evaluations take part at our training centre. This is because we can control the environment, keep the dog and other safe and have immediate access to all of our equipment.
Temperament evaluation and assessment is available for the following reasons:
- Your vet has advised you have your dog assessed
- Your dog is involved in a legal case
- Rescue centres/pounds/individuals who wish to assess a dog before homing it so as to match the right home to dog
- Concerned owners who wish to have their dog assessed
- Difficult and/or aggressive dogs who may not be suitable for class situation
Also the following dogs should be assessed
- A dog who has bitten a person or dog
- A dog who barks and lunges at other dogs displaying aggression
- A dog who is silent but bears teeth, low growls, shows white of eyes, lunges or snaps sharply at other people or dogs
- Highly fearful dogs
- Dogs from an abusive background
The process
The assessment is designed to help us determine various variables such as coping ability, stress signals, body language, warning signals, what the dog is comfortable with and uncomfortable with, what the dog can cope with. We also want to gauge Bite inhibition and most importantly the likelihood, in our opinion, of future incidents occurring and how serious these would be.
- You will be asked to fill out an assessment form so as we have extra information on the dog some days before the assessment
- You will attend your vet and have a full physical to include blood work up and clear the dog of any medical reasons for the aggression
- You will attend our training centre at a specified time and allow at least 45 minutes for the assessment process
- You will be present but away from the dog during assessment and the full process will be explained in detail to you
- At no time will your dog be exposed to pain or harshly treated
- Once the assessment is completed a post assessment short analysis will be provided
- Report will be furnished within 3 days and will contain details of further work which you may choose to do or not to do
The outcome
There is no pass or fail. This is not a test, it is an evaluation so as the best course of action can be taken with the dog.
You may be asked to return for a second assessment, but in the majority of cases only one visit is required.
You and your dog will be asked to do one of the following:
- Attendance on the Beginners Level 1 Class
- Behaviour Modification (one to one)
- Attendance on the Barkers Class
- Attendance on the Confidence Building Class (very shy fearful dogs)
- Attendance of a difficult dogs course
- Return the dog to breeder or rescue centre
- put to sleep by your vet (very dangerous dogs) - Last Resort and only on consultation with a vet and full medical report
The cost
The assessment costs €75 (inc vat) and includes a full evaluation report. It is payable when you book the assessment.
Should you wish to book an assessment, call 01-8665088 today or email Info@DogTrainingIreland.ie with the word ASSESSMENT in the subject line. Include your phone number so as we can call you back.
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