Animal Behavior Quiz

The Dog Behavior Wellness Quiz
	How Behaviorally Healthy Dogs Act Always Sometimes Never My dog is friendly toward people she meets – including well-behaved children. My dog can get along with other friendly dogs, both those she lives with and those outside the family. My dog can be left alone for reasonable time periods without becoming anxious or panicked. My dog will relieve herself only where and when I want her to. My dog will readily give up control of food, toys, and other objects to me, and share her sleeping and resting places with me. My dog is relaxed during normal, everyday handling and touching such as when I wipe her feet, brush her, look in her ears, pet her, look in her eyes, or touch her collar. My dog calms down quickly after being startled or getting excited. My dog is not overly fearful of normal, everyday events. My dog barks when necessary or appropriate, but not excessively. My dog plays well with people without becoming uncontrollable or too rough. My dog plays well with other dogs, without becoming uncontrollable, too rough or threatening. My dog plays with her own toys, and doesn’t often damage my possessions. My dog is affectionate without being needy, clingy or annoying. My dog can adapt to changes, such as travel, moving, or confinement in a carrier, with minimal problems My dog usually responds when I tell her to sit, down, come or stay.
	Results Remember - how you raise, train, and socialize your dog, and how well you meet her behavioral needs all have a huge impact on her behavioral health. All dogs, regardless of breed, have the potentially to be behaviorally healthy. It may be more difficult with some dogs, than others, depending on their natural tendencies. Use this quiz as a positive guide to tell you what you need to work on, and don’t be discouraged or judgmental if your dog’s behavior isn’t everything you want it to be. If your dog is in peak behavioral health, you answered Always to every question. Congratulations – you and your dog have a great relationship, your dog is sure to be a joy to be around and a welcome addition to your community. If you answered Always to more than half the questions you likely have a good dog whose behavior needs a little tweaking. If you answered Always to less than half the questions, your dog’s behavioral health definitely needs some attention. BUT – not all questions are of equal importance. If your dog is not friendly, and has snapped or bitten people, even if you answered Always to all the other questions, your dog’s behavior definitely needs immediate help. The other behaviors may be more or less important to you, depending on your expectations and lifestyle. For example, if you have children, it’s important that your dog not guard his possessions, but you may be willing to tolerate too much barking if your neighbors are not complaining. ANIMAL BEHAVIOR ASSOCIATES, Inc. Copyright 2002 All Rights Reserved.