Well, we finally have a date for our 30-dog
temperament test, October 25, 2008. The German Shepherd Dog Club of America
temperament test focuses on and measures different aspects of dogs’
temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well
as the dog's instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or
self-preservation in the face of a threat. The test is designed for the
betterment of all breeds of dogs but especially our shepherds. The temperament
test is a valuable tool. All breeding dogs should be tested before being used to
reproduce. The test can also be used to better understand our dogs’
personality. By understanding your dogs’ strengths and short falls, you can
adjust you training program. As
with all things, we see in our dogs what we want to see. Here is a way to get an independent evaluation of your
dogs’ temperament.
The German Shepherd Dog Club of America offers a title and a Temperament
Certificate for all German Shepherds tested. The handlers of all other breeds
will receive a copy of their score sheet and the German Shepherd Dog Club of
America Temperament Certificate.
There are seven stations:
Station 1 - Neutral Stranger
Dog and handler are approached by a neutral stranger who stops and talks to the
handler for a moment, ignoring the dog. The dog is graded on its response to the
stranger.
Station 2 - Friendly Stranger
Dog and handler are approached by a friendly stranger who stops and talks to the
handler for a moment, making friendly advances towards the dog. The dog is
graded on its response to the stranger.
Station 3 - Hidden Noise
The dog and handler walk towards a blind that has a person hidden in it. The
person in the blind shakes a bucket with bolts/rocks in it then steps out of the
blind, puts the object down, and retreats back into the blind. The dog is graded
on its reaction to the noise, and willingness to investigate.
Station 4 – Gunshots
The dog and handler stand about 10 feet from a blind that has a person hidden in
it. The handler has their back to the blind. The person in the blind fires a
starter pistol once. Then after a pause, fires the pistol two more times. The
dog is graded on its reaction to the noise.
Station 5 – Umbrella
The dog and handler walk towards a person sitting in a chair. When they are
about 5 feet from the tester, the tester opens an umbrella (dog and handler
continue to walk forward). The dog is graded on its reaction, recovery time, and
willingness to investigate. It must be willing to get within a few inches of the
umbrella to pass.
Station 6 – Surface Testing
The dog and handler walk across a plastic surface (tarp on the ground). The dog
walks across a x-pen laid out on the ground. The dog is graded on its reaction
to the surface and willingness to walk across it.
Station 7 - Weird Stranger
A stranger comes out of a blind and approaches from approx. 40 feet away,
dressed in lots of baggy clothes and acting drunk, reeling around and making
weird noises. When the stranger is approx. 30 feet away, they begin to act more
aggressive, hitting the ground with a stick or riding crop and making more
noise. When they are approx. 20 feet away, they retreat back to the blind. The
dog is graded on its reaction to the stranger.
Don’t wait, send in your entry form today. Remember, we are limited to 30 dogs.