Temperment testing.

[Babyblue5290]

I noticed that a few of the people on here have said they temperment test the animals at the shelter they volunteer at. That made me wonder, does your shelter have no behavioralist for this job? Why do they let people with no education on the matter do this job? Doesn't that just create a larger margin for error?

Personally, I wouldn't adopt from ANY where that didn't have a trained behavioralist, one certified. I wouldn't adopt from any shelter who let volunteers do this job. I don't care how much experience with dogs they have, especially if these are young people, that's just something I wouldn't want.

What do you guys think?

[tessa_s212]

Unfortunately, before I came along my humane society had no one to temperament test the dogs. They spent time with the dogs and could tell some things about them, but they never accurately temperament tested. None understand dog behavior the way I do. They continually praise my sister and I, even to potential adopters. They've been asking that we work there as trainer, temperament tester, and kennel hand since about the second or third time we volunteered. But its all a matter of time. Soon here we should have the time to actually accept the offer and accept payment for all of our work instead of just all volunteer work, however I will still spend extra volunteer hours working with the dogs.

I have since explained some basic CGC testing they could do on their own when I cannot make it up for longer periods of time. But, even then these people are not educated or trained to look for the very subtle signs in a dog's body language such as their lips, ears, tail(because even a wagging tail doesn't mean happy all the time), and eyes. I'm educating them little by little, I've even now seen one of the others doing a bit of imitating of how I handle and train the dogs.

Now, I personally would prefer a rescue or shelter that is temperament testing the dogs and could tell me more than I could find out in just one visit, but because I do understand dog behavior and know how to temperament test, I can always do this on my own when visiting the dog. So, a behaviorist certainly would be nice, but not a must of me. However, not everyone is educated on dog behavior, and this would be so extremely helpful for those that aren't. So yes, I would prefer an animal rescue facility have some kind of educated person or behaviorist.

[Brattina88]

I agree with Tessa... a lot of similarities, here!

the ones around here do not have certified behaviorists... the shelter nor the pound...

I assume they don't have one because they can't afford one, don't know where to get one, or think they're doing a good enough job anyway.
It sometimes does create a larger margin for error... Dogs are returned, and I know that some dogs who've shown real aggression after being adopted were returned, or taken to the pound (where they were PTS). There aren't any behaviorists in the area, and you have to look real hard to find a decent trainer, IMO

[Boemy]

Wouldn't a certified behaviorist expect paying? One of the local shelters here was so strapped for cash that they were asking for donations of kitty litter; they were using shredded newspaper in the meantime. They do what they can, but they only have so much money. :(

[whatszmatter]

In a perfect world they all would have behaviorists working, but its not, so they do the best they can. Someone I know is fostering a dog that was born at the shelter. They had said it had food aggression, but was very social and out going, and otherwise stable. I gotta tell you I saw it totally different. That dog has amazing food drive, but no aggression. Being rough to get treats is not aggression, its drive. Snapping at hands and the looks it gives people around food will show you aggression, of which it had none. On the other hand, it had very weak nerves, and is probably going to be a liability in unexperienced hands. When unsure instead of avoiding, it acts in aggression. So take their Temperment tests for what they're worth.

[otch1]

Hi babyblue... while this absolutely is a matter of funding, I wanted to comment that in your area (and mine) some of the larger shelters like the Humane Society have their own training programs, taught by qualified trainers. Classes available for those adopting a dog from the shelter and to the general public, taught at the shelter/facility. That is a paid position. It would be too expensive to keep a full time trainer on staff for shelter dogs though, but some of these trainers do work with the staff. I've been in the position to work with some wonderful volunteers in teaching them advanced handling skills in several organizations, but they didn't not let the kids or volunteers do formal evaluations. This was done by adults with a more extensive background in dogs. I believe you'll find trainers like myself (and Dr2, I believe) donating services to some of the local shelters. But I agree, it would be nice if part of the funds included in these programs allowed for a full time trainer on staff. Most of these shelters are lucky to have suffiecient supplies and a vet!

[otch1]

Ooops, grammer gone wild. Meant to say they didn't let the kids/volunteers do formal evaluations.

[tessa_s212]

I agree with Tessa... a lot of similarities, here!

the ones around here do not have certified behaviorists... the shelter nor the pound...

I assume they don't have one because they can't afford one, don't know where to get one, or think they're doing a good enough job anyway.
It sometimes does create a larger margin for error... Dogs are returned, and I know that some dogs who've shown real aggression after being adopted were returned, or taken to the pound (where they were PTS). There aren't any behaviorists in the area, and you have to look real hard to find a decent trainer, IMO

Yup. In the very northwest Ohio region it is hard to find good trainers, let alone any kind of behaviorist.

The people at the humane societies in my area that I have visited, none of the staff members were quite educated about dogs and dog behavior. They have good hearts, they treat the dogs well for the most part, they try. And I think that means a great deal. When my sister, my friend, and I started volunteering at the shelter, many of the staff were still very wary because that yes, we were only volunteers, and that I am young. Others were convinced right away of what an amazing genius and miracle worker I am now. I have since mellowed out a few of those miracle worker opinions, letting them know I am limited in my education, albeit that I do know quite a bit, and have also gained everyone else's trust now.

I certainly wouldn't want a shelter or humane society allowing just anyone to be in charge of temperament testing dogs and having that much power. I would be appalled if a humane society let another person my age without my education ever do any kind of temperament testing. That is an accident waiting to happen. As it is, I can be protective of "my" dogs and would really rather not having many of the inexperienced and uneducated volunteers handling them and undoing the progress I make with them.

But, one thing I remember is this. I'm not in charge. I cannot spend as much time as these other people do, even though I would like to. I might be more educated and experienced, but that does not make me better. These people have big and wonderful hearts for what they do, no matter if they make judgment mistakes on dog behavior. I do my best to always remember to never be too critical. As with most things I learn due to my dogs, this too can and should probably be applied to more than just the "dog world", but the entirety of my life.

[otch1]

I agree Tessa, the volunteers at the shleters provide an invaluable service. The shelters and Humane society in my area are quite large and couldn't operate without the efforts of their many volunteers. I understood Babyblues concern to be volunteers that are not qualified trainers or behaviorists making statements about doing appropriate temperament testing, before a dog is deemed adoptable and safe for the general public. I have to agree with her there... that is never a good idea and is a real liability to the shelter that's allowing that. Unfortunately, in many states, most shelters don't have the resources or funds to hire qualified trainers. We're lucky here in Washington, as that is generally not the case.

[Babyblue5290]

However, not everyone is educated on dog behavior, and this would be so extremely helpful for those that aren't. So yes, I would prefer an animal rescue facility have some kind of educated person or behaviorist.

That's where most of my concerns lie. People who have no clue what they are looking for. Personally, I still would opt to adopt from a place who temperment tested by a behaviorist rather then a kid or volunteer. I do know how to read dog behavior and body language, but I'd feel safer (not that it's a guarantee that's it's a good behaviorlist, it's a personal preference).

Oh, and that answered my questions. Money is the problem and reason they go for volunteers. That answers it! I've only volunteered, or been involved volunteering, at this particular shelter and the shelters I've seen all had paid behavioralists. Like Otch1 said, Washington people seem to be lucky in that aspect. lol

That dog has amazing food drive, but no aggression. Being rough to get treats is not aggression, its drive. ........Temperment tests for what they're worth.

**I cut your post to point out specific things you said**

Whoever pegged a dog as aggressive for taking food roughly isn't very good. That's just idiotic really. I'm glad not all temperment testers are idiots.

I agree Tessa, the volunteers at the shelters provide an invaluable service. The shelters and Humane society in my area are quite large and couldn't operate without the efforts of their many volunteers. I understood Babyblues concern to be volunteers that are not qualified trainers or behaviorists making statements about doing appropriate temperament testing, before a dog is deemed adoptable and safe for the general public. I have to agree with her there... that is never a good idea and is a real liability to the shelter that's allowing that. Unfortunately, in many states, most shelters don't have the resources or funds to hire qualified trainers. We're lucky here in Washington, as that is generally not the case.

I agree Otch. Volunteers are VERy valuable to shelters! Without them, my shelter wouldn't be near as good as it is. I just question the role of volunteers deeming a dog safe or dangerous. There are lives placed in their hands, more then just that dogs! That is where I'm concerned, and curious as to the reasons, to let volunteers do the BA's.