Validation of a new temperament test as a practical tool for adoptions of sheltered dogs

An Evaluation of a Behaviour Assessment to Determine the Suitability of Shelter Dogs for Rehoming

“…Although formal tests of intra and interobserver reliability were not conducted in this study [ 2 , 28 ], but would be desirable in a more detailed study, the researcher (AHP) trained with shelter staff until their scores were identical. The long-time interval between tests may have reduced the correlation between the two: a retest of a similar suite of behavioural measures that was conducted after just 40 days gave a higher correlation ( r = 0.58), than our test ( r = 0.29) conducted a mean of 81 days later [ 3 ].…”

“…There have been few evaluations of the efficacy of the assessments, and in particular there is a need to link shelter behaviour assessment results with postadoption behaviour, as this would indicate their effectiveness in detecting dogs that are undesirable or unsafe to offer for adoption, as well as allowing refinement of the tool [ 1 , 2 ]. Such examinations of the reliability of retests of dog behaviour are particularly rare [ 2 ], but a recent study found significant correlations between a test and retest 40 days later [ 3 ]. None have evaluated the repeatability of individual components of the assessment.…”

Assessment of Canine Temperament: Predictive or Prescriptive?

“…In this study, the shelter dog selection test was not a good predictor of behavior. However, in the Valsecchi et al (2009Valsecchi et al ( , 2011 studies of shelter dogs, behaviors seen in dogs at the shelter correlated with behaviors seen at a later time in the home setting. The inconsistency in findings in the Weiss and Greenberg (1997) study and the Valsecchi et al (2009Valsecchi et al ( , 2011 studies could be attributed to the dissimilarity of tests used to evaluate the dogs.…”

“…However, in the Valsecchi et al (2009Valsecchi et al ( , 2011 studies of shelter dogs, behaviors seen in dogs at the shelter correlated with behaviors seen at a later time in the home setting. The inconsistency in findings in the Weiss and Greenberg (1997) study and the Valsecchi et al (2009Valsecchi et al ( , 2011 studies could be attributed to the dissimilarity of tests used to evaluate the dogs. Weiss and Greenberg (1997) used an 11-item test that included sideways approach, initial contact, touch, approach to touch, stare, quick approach, cage exit, on-leash behavior, a room test, an umbrella test, and a pinch test.…”

“…The only two significant regressions at the p < 0.01 level were for defense drive and prey drive (retrieve). Valsecchi et al (2009Valsecchi et al ( , 2011 conducted two similar studies with shelter dogs. Both studies used direct observation to test shelter dogs that were adopted.…”