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Temperament Testing
Recently, two cases have been noted in New England where Siberians have been sentenced to death because of "aggressive behavior" found by temperament testing. One young male was saved through the intervention of Angels of the Snow. Another 6-month female puppy was put to sleep before Angels could act. In both cases, the animals were no more aggressive than is typical for the breed. Unfortunately they were caught up in the numbers game that is often used to determine which homeless animals live and which ones die.
The use of temperament testing to cull the least adoptable dogs is far too common a practice in the world of animal shelters. It has become a manifestation of one basic problem: animal overpopulation. Caretakers whose resources may be severely limited must cope with overcrowded situations as best they can. As a result, tests are modified and results are interpreted in ways that are wholly invalid and were never intended.
In the hope that temperament tests will be used more appropriately - as those who devised them intended - Angels of the Snow offers the following brief guide to temperament testing.
Legitimate Uses of Temperament Testing
Temperament testing provides experiences animal behaviorists with additional perspective on the personality of pets. It provides another piece to the much larger puzzle of animal behavior. Temperament testing is often used to help identify candidates for selective breeding, additional training as service animals, or corrective or rehabilitative training.
Misuses of Temperament Testing
The results of temperament testing should never be used as the basis for life or death decisions. Results should never be biased according to quotas, finances, or the space available within a shelter.
The Reliability of a test is its ability to give the same result time after time. A test's Validity reflects its ability to predict future behavior. Neither parameter has been quantified for canine temperament testing.
Parameters Affecting Temperament Testing Results
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Experience, professionalism, and objectivity of the person administering the test.
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Adherence to established written procedures. Departures invalidate results.
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Breed of the dog. Dobermans inherently behave differently than Chihuahuas.
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Stress. Is the animal stressed due to a recent change in environment, diet, etc.?
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Age. The older an animal is, the more life experiences it has to influence behavior.
Interpreting Temperament Testing Results
Temperament testing results are generally used to identify candidates for advanced training. Such training may be as service dogs, show dogs, or family pets. Specialists familiar with the breed in question should always be consulted if results indicate the need for behavioral rehabilitation.
Temperament testing consists of an evaluation of a number of different behavioral characteristics, each of which my range from desirable to undesirable, with a continuum in between. For this reason, no single characteristic should be measured on a pass-fail basis, and no evaluation should be regarded as a failure on the basis of a single measurement.
When comparing two animals or when comparing an animal with an arbitrary standard, the evaluator should always be mindful of uncontrolled parameters (see above) that may affect the test's Reliability and Validity. Questionable data should always be weighed against good common sense.
Additional Information
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A Dirty Little Secret, Francis Battista, Best Friends Magazine, January/February 2004.
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CARE Temperament Testing, Wendy DeCarlo, Evanston (Illinois) Animal Shelter.
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Temperament Testing in Public Shelters, Animal Match Rescue Team, Inc.
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Testing by Breed, American Temperament Test Society, St. Louis, MO.
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Is Your Rotti Too Aggressive?, Happy Tails Rescue.
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Jeepers' Real Life Experience, Animal Match Rescue Team, Inc.
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Service and Therapy Animals, Delta Society.
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Kane's Story, Angels of the Snow