Saturday, September 13, 2008 - Durham, Ontario
Pre-registration required for the TT,
pre-registration appreciated for the CGN but not necessary
Contact Maura
Reilly for registration and directions
The TT is $35 pre-registered by September 4 ($40 after).
The CGN is $25.
The TT will begin at 9 am, CGN testing will begin at 10 am
Temperament Test - with Temperament Test Associates
The temperament test is designed for dogs at least 12 months of age. The method of administration is concise and complete using simple but logical
guidelines.
These temperament evaluations show a dog’s reaction to his environment. A dog has either good temperament or not, no matter what breed! But all
breeds of dogs do show a different disposition as part of the characteristics of that particular breed.
Testers evaluate the dog’s reactions at each of the 10 subtests. A walk through may be provided. At that time questions may be asked. All of the 10
subtests must be passed. The dog may startle, panic or show uneasiness, but he must recover from his reaction.
During the test, dogs are on a choke-type collar and a 6 ft. lead. They may not be under any kind of command or attempted influence by the handler.
The character and/or disposition of all breeds of dogs varies depending on what they were meant to be used for.
ie. herding, sledding, hunting,
working or guarding. But GOOD TEMPERAMENT IS GOOD TEMPERAMENT and BAD TEMPERAMENT IS BAD TEMPERAMENT - IN ANY DOG
OF ANY BREED. In these evaluations all dogs are judged according to their age, breed and socialization.
The owner of each dog passing the testing requirements will receive a certificate with the dog’s name and breed designation. The dog’s name may now
be listed with the letters TT after the dog’s name.
THE TEN SUBTESTS
TESTS #1, #2, #3 - Behaviour Toward Strangers
Objective: To determine the dog’s reaction to strangers in a non-threatening situation.
TEST#1 Neutral Stranger - A stranger approaches but ignores the dog.
TEST #2 Friendly Stranger - A stranger approaches and is friendly to the dog.
TEST #3 Crowd - The dog is surrounded by a group of people.
TESTS #4, #5 - Reaction to Acoustic Stimuli
Objective: To test the dog’s reaction to two acoustic stimuli, and to measure the dog’s investigative behaviour. This test shows alertness and
curiosity.
TEST #4 Hidden Clattering - A noise is heard but not seen.
TEST #5 Gun Test - A gun is fired out of sight of the dog.
Test #6 - Reaction to a Visual Stimulus
Objective: To test the dog’s reaction to a sudden visual stimulus. To measure the dog’s investigative behaviour and the startle-recovery time.
Test #6 Umbrella Test - An umbrella is opened in the dog’s line of vision.
Test #7 - Reaction to Unusual Footing
Objective - To measure the dog’s reaction to unusual footing.
Test #7 Footing - The dog is walked over an uncomfortable surface.
Test #8, #9, #10 - Self Protectiveness/Aggressive Reaction
Objective - To test the dog’s capacity to focus on an unusual stimulus (#8), to recognize a threat (#9), and to react in the face of a threat (#10).
Test #8 Recognizes Stimuli - The dog notices unusual behaviour in its line of vision.
Test #9 Recognizes Threat - The unusual behaviour approaches the dog.
Test #10 Dog is Threatened - The behaviour poses a threat.
The various breeds of dogs show different dispositions as part of the characteristics of those particular breeds. In these evaluations all dogs are
judged according to their age, desired breed characteristics and socialization according to their environmental factors.
The dogs are required to pass all of the ten tests.
CKC Canine Good Neighbour Test - with
Laurie Roseborough
The purpose of the national Canine Good Neighbour Program is to ensure that one
of our most favoured companions, the dog, is accepted as a valued member of our communities right across the country. Canine Good Neighbours can be counted on to
present good manners at home, in public places and in the presence of other dogs.
The training program embraces both purebred and mixed-breed dogs and is fun,
rewarding, and useful. It encourages owners to have a better and richer relationship
with their dogs. The program also enhances community awareness of responsible dog ownership and the numerous benefits associated with dog ownership.
The test is non-competitive and allows dog and handler to demonstrate confidence
and control in 12 steps. It assesses the handler and dog’s relationship, together with
the handler’s ability to control the dog. Dogs are evaluated on their ability to perform
basic exercises as well as their ability to demonstrate good manners in everyday
situations.
The tests include:
Accepting a friendly stranger talking to the handler
Politely accepting petting by the friendly stranger
Allowing someone to examine the dog's feet and ears and briefly brush the dog
Walking politely on a loose leash
Walking politely on a loose leash through a crowd
Sit/down on command and stay in place on a 6 m line
Come when called on a 6 m line
Calm down after a 10 second play session
Polite behaviour in the presence of another dog
Confidence around visual and auditory distractions
Being left alone with someone for 3 minutes with owner out of sight
Waiting for the handler to allow them through a gate
The handler may speak to and encourage the dog throughout each exercise except
the out of sight test. All 12 exercises must be passed.