Temperament and Training: Understanding how temperament affects the training of domestic dogs

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TEMPERAMENTandTRAINING

Understanding Domestic DogTemperament

and

How It Relates To Training

© 2006 by Elizabeth Gonzalez

and Fine Line K9 Education DivisionAll rights reserved



NOTE: This written guide is an outline of the workshop,Temperament and Training: Understanding Temperament and How It Relates to Training, presented by ElizabethGonzalez. As a synopsis, it does not contain all theinformation presented at the workshop and should not beused as a stand alone text.

The information presented at this workshop and its writtenguide are based on knowledge and experiences gainedover numerous decades of handling and studying dogs.Everyone’s knowledge, experience and physicalstrength/agility varies. Therefore, one should never handlea dog that is beyond their abilities or skills.Those using this information should always takeprecautions when handling any dog to insure your safety or the safety of others. The author makes no claims regardingthe safety or wellbeing of those using this information, nor to those subsequently effected by its use. Further, thisinformation may not cover all animals or situations andshould not replace one’s own good judgment or appropriate

actions.

This material is copyrighted. Neither this presentation nor any part of its written guide may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from theauthor. This includes, but is not limited to: photocopying,microfilming, audio/visual recording; publishing or retrieving

to or from web services; or by any information storage,sharing or retrieval systems or devises.

If you would like Information about t his or other workshops, contact Fine Line K9 Education Division at, [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]





UNDERSTANDING TEMPERAMENT

What is temperament?

What is the value of varied temperaments in dogs?

Why is it important for us to understand temperament?

How will having a better understanding of temperamentbenefit you?

How will having a better understanding of temperamentbenefit the dogs in your care?

How will having a better understanding of temperamentbenefit your training goals?



Nurturing

andEarly SocialStructures

Environment

Geneticsand

Health

LEARNING

WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE TEMPERAMENT?



CANINE EARLY DEVELOPMENTNeonatal Birth to 12 days Limited sensory development (olfactory, taste, tactile, pain, thermal); Most time spent sleeping; Primitiveeflexes and predominant use of flexor muscles; Distress vocalizations; Comfort and nutritive seeking

behaviors; Early human “gentling” has long term effects. Birth to 1 day: Purposeful use of front legs5 to 9 days: Begin standing on front legs

7 to 9 days: Displays variable preference and avoidance behaviors7 to 10 days: Purposeful hind-leg use begins

Transitional Period 12 to 21 days

Progressive sensory and neurological development; Behaviors become progressively more active;Learning abilities variable and transitional; Early social behaviors developing.2 to 13 days: Coordinated backwards movement2 to 16 days: Eyes open but vision is poor; Upright sitting: Uncoordinated walking; Able to eat

semisolid food7 to 18 days: Weak auditory startle reactions

7 to 21 days: Avoidance learning becomes progressively stable8 to 21 days: Independent elimination8 to 21 days: Ear canals open; Auditory startle reaction strengthens9 to 21 days: Teeth emerge

Primary Socialization 3 through 5 weeks

All sensory modalities functional; Progressive coordination; Complex movements that include running,sparring, and predatory-like behaviors; Significant developmental improvements in the ability to learn;Evidence of social bonding appears; Social dominance behaviors emerge, though variable and unstable3 weeks: Early visual and auditory orienting responses3 to 3½ weeks: Social play, antagonistic and competitive behaviors appear

3 to 4 weeks: Appearance of social tail wagging3½ to 4 weeks: Startle reactions, and the visual and auditory orienting responses

are well developed

Secondary Socialization 6 to 14 weeks

Signs of independent behaviors and social hierarchal tendencies develop and strengthen.6 through 8 weeks: Optimal period for secondary socializationWeek 7: Social sensitivities emerge6½ though 7½: Elimination habits and location preferences emerge and develop7 to 8½ weeks: Brain Electroencephalogram (EEG) begins to stabilize and become more adultlike

8 through 10 weeks: Sensitive period for fear learning6 through 12 weeks: Highly receptive learning abilities strengthen0 through 12 weeks: Ideal time to introduce novel environments

Juvenile Period 14 weeks to the beginning of adolescence

Sensory organization continues to mature; Motor coordination progressively fluid and adultlike;ntegration of all major functional systems; Progressive stabilization of dominance relations withdominance and appeasement rituals established; Receptive period for social sensitivities andconfidence development2 through 16 weeks: Learning abilities progress and strengthens2 through 15 weeks introduction to novel environments and situations continues to be beneficial

Week 16: Rate of learning slows down6 through 21 weeks plus: Permanent teeth begin to emerge



Various Points ofDevelopment

Age of HumanDevelopment

Age of DogDevelopment

First Critical EarlyLearning Period

5 months through

5 years (+/- 2 month) 3 through 16 weeks

Able to Eat Adult

Like Food

14 months

(+/- 2 month) 3½ to 5 weeksFirst Signs of

Early Hierarchal

Behaviors 3 years (+/- 4months)

3½ weeks

(+/- 3 days)

BRAINDEVELOPMENT

EEG Becomes Adultlike

Growth Of BrainComplete

7 to 10 years

19 years (+/-3 years)

8½ wks (+/- 4 days) .

10 to 14 months

AdolescenceBegins 11 to 13 years 5½ to 7½ months

Body Reaches Adult Maturation 17 to 25 years

Dependent on Breed8 months to 2½ years

The above table demonstrates some of the developmentaldifferences between humans and domestic dogs.

COMPARATIVE DEVELOPMENT

OF HUMANS AND DOGS



THE COMPONENTS OF TEMPERAMENT

PRIMARY ORIENTATION Self (age appropriate / age inappropriate )Social (human / dog / other animals)Environment (stimulation, sensitivity or predatory )

SOCIAL ORIENTATION

Cooperative Solicitous / ContributoryCompetitive Opportunistic / Demanding / Selfish

SENSITIVITY OR CONFIDENCE LEVELS Socially confident / Socially sensitive Environmentally confident / Environmentally sensitive

ABILITY TO RECOVER From stressFrom excitement

From frustration TOLERANCE LEVELS

For being handledFor taking directionFor reprimands

RANK ORIENTATION AND IMPORTANCE Dog tends to defer Dog tends to seek resolutionDog tends to challenge

How important is rank or rank order to the dog

INHIBITION, MOTIVATION, STIMULATION AND / OR AROUSAL LEVELS Towards social interactionsTowards play and or toysTowards environment (confidently engaged, sensitivity or prey)Towards food

HOW DOES THE DOG HANDLE FRUSTRATION? Frustration Solicitation

Frustration

Indifference / WithdrawingFrustration Shutting down Frustration Agitation Frustration Aggravation

CONFLICT RESOLUTION Communication Calming gestures: turns away, ignores or acts uninterested;

yawns, stretches, licks lips or nose, blinks, etc. Displacement/Pacifying: flaunts, flirts, redirects, appeasement behaviors

Defensive Avoidance: flees, hides, acts intimidated/terrorized Challenges: overly dominant displays, bullying tactics, threatens or aggresses



EARLY LIFE INFLUENCES ON TEMPERAMENT

onception to 3 weeks: Fetus and Early Whelp Development

INFLUENCED BY GENETICS

INFLUENCED BY UTERINE IMPRINTING

INFLUENCED BY UTERINE ORDER

INFLUENCED BY HUMANSINFLUENCED BY LITTER MATES

INFLUENCED BY MOTHERINFLUENCED BY THE ENVIRONMENT

EMPERAMENT COMPONENTS DEVELOPING

Primary Orientation

Sensitivity or Confidence Levels

Ability to Recover

Rank Orientation

Inhibition, Motivation, Stimulation or Arousal Levels

to 5 weeks: Eyes and Ears Opened; Developing Coordination; Starting to Become Interactive with other, Littermates, the Environment and Humans; Learning Launches into High Gear, Competitive andooperative Activities Begin, Hierarchal and Predatory Like Play Behaviors Appear

INFLUENCED BY GENETICS

INFLUENCES FROM MOTHER

INFLUENCES FROM LITTER MATES

INFLUENCES FROM THE ENVIRONMENT

INFLUENCES FROM HUMANS AND/OR OTHER ANIMALS


Primary OrientationSocial Orientation


Ability to Recover

Tolerance Levels

Rank Orientation and Rank Importance

How The Dog Handles Frustration


Conflict Resolution

to 16 weeks: Development of Complex Movements, Fears and Sensitivities; Critical Learning Period egins; Progressive Development of Competitive, Cooperative, Social Hierarchal and Predatory Behavi


Primary Orientation

Social Orientation


Ability to Recover

Tolerance Levels

Rank Orientation and Rank ImportanceHow The Dog Handles Frustration


Conflict Resolution



LEARNINGLearning: A Relatively Permanent Change in Behavior that Results from Experience.

ow do dogs learn?Classical Conditioning: Learning by AssociationOperant/Instrumental Conditioning: Learning by a Resulting ConsequenceSocial Learning/Facilitation: Learning by Observing Others or Co-participationLatent Learning: Accumulated Information with No Current RelevanceCognitive Learning: Learning by Progressive Deductive Conclusions

he Classical Conditioning SequenceStimulus Response

A Stimulus is presentedThe stimulus solicits a physiological, emotional or behavioral Response

he Operant Conditioning Sequence (or ABC’s) Antecedent Behavior Consequence

Antecedent solicits a behavior Behavior is performed Behavior results in a Consequence

Four Types of Consequences that Influence Operant Conditioning

ocial Learning SequenceObservation Co-Participation or Mimicry / ImitationObject Observes the behavior of another animal

The Object Mimics / Imitates or Co-Participates in the other animal’s behavior

atent Learning SequenceRandom Information is Accumulated Accumulated Information Later Proves to have Relevance

Object Accumulates Random Information from the Environment or Social SituationsThough the Accumulated Information has no current applications or relevance,

This information Proves to be Useful at a Later Time

ognitive Learning Sequence If (fill in the blank) is true Then (fill in the blank) must follow (and/or) be true A Cognitive Concept is established

Deductions are formed from that Concept, which leads to Progressive Changes in theconcept, its resulting behaviors and/or emotional responses

HE FOUR STAGES OF LEARNINGAcquisition is the process of acquiring or learning new skills, behaviors or knowledge. Fluency is the stage where the behavior or recall of the knowledge becomes automatic.Generalization: (Or Location, Location, Location!) Generalization is the stage whereby thedog is able to perform the behaviors in multiple places and varied social situations. Since many

dogs are situational learners, generalization is an important training stage to achieve and masterMaintenance: Once a behavior is mastered, maintenance is the stage where the learnedbehavior endures over time. This means the dog can reliably perform the behavior in a week,month, year, decade, etc.

Positive Reinforcement

Present something good:Behavior becomes more likely

Negative Reinforcement

Take away something bad:Behavior becomes more likely

Positive Punishment

Present something bad:Behavior becomes less likely

Negative Punishment

Take away something good:Behavior becomes less likely



FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ORHAVE AN EFFECT ON LEARNING

PHYSICAL ABILITY: Does the dog have the physical structure and ability thatallows them to perform the desired task?

EMOTIONAL CAPACITY: Does the dog have the emotional capacity to perform or

complete the behavior?MENTAL CAPASITY OR BRAIN PHYSIOLOGY : Does the dog have the cognitiveskills or brain health/physiology that allows the dog to learn the task or behavior?

STRESS: Stressors that can have an effect on learning include: environmentalstress such as extremes in heat or cold, loud noises, excessive visual stimuli, etc;physiological stress like hunger/starvation, thirst/dehydration, exhaustion, illness,njury, etc; emotional stress such as fear, anxiety, rage/anger, panic, extreme statesof arousal, etc.; social stress which includes social discomfort, new or unusual social

situations or conflicts with rank or leadership issues.REINFORCEMENT HISTORY: A reinforcement history is all leaning that happenswhen a dog engages in social situations or with their environment. A dog’sreinforcement history has the capacity to influence present as well as future behaviors.Also known as Experiential Learning, a reinforcement history can include: rewardsthat encourage behaviors or punishments/aversive situations that inhibit behaviors;progressive successes in behavior(s) that builds the dog’s confidence and/or level of assertiveness; and fear invoking situations that inhibit behaviors, decreases confidenceand/or increases fearful reactiveness.

SURVIVAL REWARDS are things a dog must have in order to survive. Thesenclude food, water and the ability to avoid hazards.

SOCIAL REINFORCEMENTS are any aspects of a dog's social life. These includeany social behaviors such as playing, attention, petting, social status or rank concerns.

ENVIRONMENTAL REINFORCEMENTS are anything a dog receives from theenvironment that inhibits or encourages behaviors or emotional reactions. Thesenclude places or items that the dog can interact with or investigate. Environmental

reinforcements that are rewarding may include: laying or sleeping on a bed or piece of furniture; using things or fixtures in the environment as toys or chew items; resting in theshade on a hot day; laying in the sun on a cool day; finding shelter from wind or rain; etc.nvestigating the environment can also be rewarding and can include seeking behaviorssuch as: digging; scavenging type behaviors; smelling; prey driven behaviors; visualseeking; etc.

MOTIVATION and DRIVE: All dogs have varying levels of motivation and drive.The stimulus that prompts a behavior and the degree that a dog is motivated canchange depending on a number of circumstances and factors. A dog who just ate aarge meal, will be less food motivated than a hungry dog. Drive, on the other hand, is

a more constant condition that compels survival enhancing behaviors. This maynclude the prompting of the defensive drives when a dog is faced with an aggressiveopponent or food seeking when a dog is hungry.



MOTIVATION AND DRIVE

The terms MOTIVATION and DRIVE are often usedinterchangeably. However, I prefer to use these termsseparately as one is situational and the other moreconstant. As it applies to dogs, here is how I use theseterms:

MOTIVATION is when a dog seeks to satisfy a transient need ordesire that is prompted by physiologic, social or environmentaldesires.

DRIVE is an innate condition that consistently compels a dog toperform specific types of survival or social behaviors that serveto increase a dog’s survivability.

Motivations, such as hunger or thirst, influence behaviors.

Drive compels specific behaviors and influences the temperament or personality of a dog.

Motivation and Drive are both internal mechanisms that can be used

by a trainer to change or mold behaviors. These mechanisms can benstinctual (predatory, maternal, etc.), physiological (hunger, thirst,being too warm or too cool, etc.), emotional (fear, satisfaction,frustration, etc) or social (affiliation, play, rank, etc.)

Studying your dog’s traits and keenly observing your dog’s behaviorswill illuminate their motivations and drives.

Your dog may be driven, but you should be the one who steers them.

How to identify and use what motivates or drives your dog to help your training process.

How to suppress or modify drives that are counter productive to your training goals.



The above flow chart illustrates the relationships

between the varied aspects of drive.The above flow chart shows the relative relationship

The Instinctual Drivesof Domestic Dogs

Survival

PropagationBreeding,

Prey, FoodAcquisition

Propagation Breeding,

Defensive

Fight

Flight

Hazard

Avoidance

Pack

Competitive orCooperative

Maternal orCare Giver

Competitive

Cooperative

Social

Reactive

Fleeing/Freezing



A dog’s Drives Levels will range between Weak

and/or Passive and can incrementally increase toStrong and/or Intense (as illustrated above). Drive

Levels influence the degree of effort a dog is

willing to expend to satisfy specific drives.

Drive Levels



Drive Expression

Drive Expression, on the other hand, determines how driveexpresses, which takes into account a dog’s mode anddegree of reactivity towards specific drives. How a dog

expresses their drives will range from Calm and/or Focusedo Hectic and/or Frantic. This makes drive multi-dimensiona

and should therefore be graphed on a multi-variant axis.



COMPETITION, COOPERATION & CONTRIBUTION

THE CORNER STONES OF CANINE SOCIETY

Dogs descended from wolves. As social predators that live in packswolves hunt large prey, raise litters, defend territory and occasionallyscavenge. It is therefore instinctual for wolves (and subsequently dogs) tobe cooperative, contributory, competitive and opportunistic since these

behaviors help to insure the individual’s and the pack’s survival.

What is competition and why is it important in canine society?

What is cooperation and why is it important in canine society?

What is contribution and why is it important in canine society?

Some of the three Cs seem to be at odds. How do we overcome that obstacle?

COMPITITION COOPERATION

CONTRIBUTION

How can we develop our dogs’ social need to contribute?

How can we recognize when the three Cs are working for or against our traininggoals?

Can we selectively encourage or suppress competition, cooperation and/or contribution?



LEADERSHIP

As hierarchical animals, how do domestic dogs establish their social order?

How fixed or how fluid is canine social order?

What variables determine the hierarchical order of canine society?

What is the alpha dog’s role?

The Harmonious Pack vs The Quarrelsome Pack

To Alpha or Not to Alpha, That is the Question.

Our dogs live in a human society — Humans do not live in a canine society.

Humans are humans — dogs are dogs

What are some of the differences between leadership and dominance?

Leadership Cooperation Contribution

Dominance Submission An increase in Competitiveand Opportunistic Behaviors

Why is it important for us to teach our dogs that privileges and resources areearned by what they contribute to the family/pack?

How can we use the distribution of resources to establish leadership with our dogs?

Putting your dog on the “earn while they learn program.”



DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS WITH DOGS When a dog learns to respect your leadership, a higher level of reliability is addedo their future training. Since power struggles over rank are reduced or eliminated,

more energy is devoted to train and maintain desired tasks or behaviors. Thismeans you train less and get more.

WAYS TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP WITH YOUR DOG

You manage and distribute all of your dog's resources in ways that clearlydemonstrates to the dog, “The way to get the things I need or want is through my owner/trainer. By cooperating with my owner/trainer I have access to all things wonderful.” Resources are anything and everything you provide toyour dog or things the dog desires (see next page).

Never give any resources to your dog, unless they “earn” it. For example: thedog wants attention, you wait until they sit patiently before petting them; beforepresenting their food bowl your dog must maintain a down stay; the dog sitsand give you sustained eye contact, before jumping out of the car. If the dogwants it, they must earn it by acting in a mannerly fashion or displaying a goodbehavior.

Reward and encourage your dog's cooperation with you. Direct your interactions and training sessions on exercises that develop: focused attentionon you, following, targeting to your hand, staying and waiting.

Never reward rude or pushy demands or behaviors. These include jumping onyou, excessive nudging, pawing, barking or whining, etc. Generously rewardan attentive sit, a single polite nudge followed by a sit or down, etc.Remember you set the rules and standards. What you tolerate today, you livewith tomorrow.

Have the dog "ask" to go through all doorways and narrow paths such as halls,stairs, car doors, or crowded areas by sitting, sustaining eye contact with youand waiting for your permission to go through. This not only builds your leadership but could save your dog’s life.

Use management techniques and tools to prevent the behaviors you don'twant and to foster the behaviors you do want.

Be pro-active instead of reactive. If you can predict an unwanted behavior, youcan prevent it. Manage situations, the environment and your dog to preventproblem behaviors.

Intervene in all inappropriate behaviors and remove the opportunity for your dog to perform those behaviors (such as tying out, crating or moving items outof your dog’s reach).

Put play behaviors on cue. Only play games with your dog that encourage

their cooperation and contribution (retrieving, hide and seek, you hide the dogseeks). Control if, when, where and how your dog plays with you.



THE RESOURCES WE HAVE AVALABLE TO BUILD ASTRONG LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION WITH OUR DOGS

Your dog should only be given or be allowed access to the following resourceswhen they display good manners or behaviors. This helps to establish your leadership, promotes proper behaviors, encourages the dog’s desire tocontribute and increases their cooperation skills.

FOOD Daily kibble or food rations and any and all treats. Place the dog’s foodrations in small bags which you keep on or near you. Give small handfuls of thedog’s daily food ration each time they focus their attention on you or performgood behaviors. During this phase of training never leave food in a bowl for thedog to freely eat.

ATTENTION AND AFFECTION All verbal interactions, praise, eye contact,petting, touch and physical contact of any kind.

POSSESSIONS Toys, beds, furniture, chew toys, bones or anything else your

dog see as valuable which can be taken into their possession.SLEEPING STATUS Sleeping close to whoever your dog perceives as aleader, elevates their status. This privilege should be removed when rankelevation skirmishes or problems are displayed. Dogs with rank elevation or rankimportance issues should never sleep on a person’s bed or on furniture.

RIGHT OF WAY THROUGH NARROW PASSAGES Teaching your dog to waitfor permission to go through narrow passages such as doorways, halls, stairs,car doors, crowded areas, etc, helps to establish your leadership, helps to

develop patience and self control and is a good tool to keep you and your dogsafe.

ACCESS TO VARIOUS ROOMS IN THE HOME Limit your dog's access to justa couple rooms. Then allow your dog to “earn” freer movement throughout thehome. You can also limit access as a consequence for inappropriate rankelevation displays.

PLAY Controlling when, where and how your dog plays gives you potentreinforcements and rewards that helps manage and train your dog. Avoid games

that encourage the use of physical strength or any type of controlling or bullyingbehaviors. Teach your dog games that encourage cooperation.

EXERCISE AND WALKS Good tools for your reinforcement/reward system.

ACCESS TO WATER Your dog needs free access to water when left alone for several hours or on hot days. However, by controlling their access to water atother times, you get more variety in your reinforcement/reward system.

ACCESS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD AND GUESTS You canbuild a strong desire towards social affiliation by allowing your dog to earnaccess to the other people and pets in your home.



When Should Punishment be Considered

The use of aversives or punishments to change behaviorsshould be well considered. The above flow chart, developed byDr Pamela Reid, shows reasonable guidelines to follow that can

determine if punishment is an appropriate means to change anunwanted behavior.



TYPES OF AGGRESSION DISPLAYED BY DOGS

PLAY related aggression is rarely intended to harm. The play behaviors of dogs mimicpredatory behaviors, which include pouncing, stalking, chasing, mouthing, shaking etc.

MATERNAL aggression is displayed when offspring are threatened. This type of aggressionis eliminated when the offspring are older, 5 to 10 weeks, or when they are no longer with thebitch.

FEAR aggression happens when a dog's safety is threatened, or the dog perceives their

safety may be threatened.PAIN ELICITED This type of aggression is in response to physical pain or discomfort.PUNISHMENT ELICITED or FEAR aggression can be related categories.

PUNISHMENT ELICITED This type of aggression is in response to a reprimand or punishment the dog perceives as inappropriate or too severe. This can be a DOMINANCE or RANK ORIENTED response. With some dogs this may be a response to FEAR or PAIN.

POSSESSION This type of aggression occurs when the dog is in possession of food, toys or any item the dog sees as valuable and does not want to relinquish. This can also be, and

often is, a DOMINANCE related response.PROTECTIVE OR TERRITORY This type of aggression occurs when a dog is "defending"their "personal space" which can include the home, a room, their bed or furniture, crates or kennel areas, etc. It may also include the guarding of property, people or other animals. Inkenneled, tethered or fenced dogs it may be displayed as barrier aggression. These types of aggression are often related to DOMINANCE or POSSESSION aggression.

DOMINANCE OR RANK ORIENTED Dominance or Rank Oriented aggression is inresponse to threats to a dog's social status or social rank. Dominance/Rank aggression isused to control the behavior(s) of an individual and/or the pack/family to maintain or elevatesocial status or rank.

INTRA MALE, INTRA FEMALE OR FEMALE / MALE These types of aggression happenbecause of competition or conflict that happens exclusively between dogs of the same sex,or exclusively between dogs of the opposite sex. When displayed only towards dogs of thesame sex, this is referred to as COMPETITIVE aggression. These types of aggression areoften related to DOMINANCE aggression.

AFFILIATION: Affiliation or affilitive aggression happens when two or more dogs of thesame pack/household join together to intimidate, attack, aggressively control others (animalsor humans) or guard items, pack members, people or territory. Sometimes referred to asPACK AGGRESSION, this type of aggression can be very dangerous. This is because eachdog’s excitement or frustration can spur -on, amplify and elevate the aggressive responses of the other dog(s) involved in the aggressive incident.

REDIRECTED This type of aggression occurs when aggression is directed at another animal, a person or an item that did not trigger the aggressive response. This occurs mostcommonly when the dog is highly frustrated or aroused.

PREDATION This type of aggression is often not considered aggression, but rather aresponse to secure food. This is true if the dog stalks, catches and consumes their prey.Some dogs have a high arousal response towards "prey" (which can sometimes includerunning after or chasing people, children, bicyclist, cats or other domestic animals). Thesedogs potentially may stalk, chase and/or capture an animal or person injuring, or killing them

in the process.PATHOLOGIC This type of aggression is a response to a body system disorder or malady.These can include hormonal imbalance, brain disorders, sudden changes in health, etc.



DOMINANCE or SUBMISSIVENESS can be displayed by a wide range ofbehaviors. They can manifest as constant conditions or can be transitoryor situational depending on certain social pressures. Highly dominant orhighly submissive dogs will tend to display many or all of the below listedbehaviors and gestures.

DOMINANCE ATTITUDES AND POSTURESDisapproves of being groomed or handledOnly accepts petting, attention or affection on their termsIntrusive of people’s or other dogs’ personal physical space (jumping up on people or

animals; clipping as they pass; running into others; harassing behaviors like pawing,mouthing, demanding barking, etc.)Plays with the intent to win or dominateLying in front of doors or in walkways and refusing to moveDuring conflicts the dog stands their ground and is reluctant to move or compromise

Hackles up at the shoulders and/or neck onlyGrowls at people or dogs when they feel their space is being violatedDisplays bullying or controlling behaviors with the intent to change the behaviorsof othersGuards food, toys, furniture/beds or territory against people and dogs or other animalsPutting their head over another dog’s shoulder Stands tall, weight forward on front legs, ears forward and up, tail high and stiff Stares at other dogs or people using a hard and fixed manner

Walks towards dogs or people with head straight out level with spine, legs stiff, toestight and planted into ground, body tense, tail straight out level with spine or pulledto the side and level with spine, may have an intense hard stare (threat mode)

SUBMISSIVE ATTITUDES AND POSTURES Demonstrates a general lack of confidence

Acts reluctant/timid towards being touched by strangers Acts reluctant/timid towards new situations and environmentsHiding, backing away or running from strange people or dogsLowering shoulders or flattening their body towards the groundGoing belly up during greetings or when socially stressedEars flattened back during greetings or when socially stressedTail tucked when greeted by people or other dogsHead tucked into shoulders or dropped low and may lift a front pawHackling that goes up the full length of the spineUrinating when being greeted by a stranger or the owner

Freezing or balking, not going forward or backward Avoids conflicts. May emotionally and/or mentally “melt down” when faced withconflicts



ADOPTION AND PLACEMENT OF DOGS AND PUPPIESMany people choose dogs based solely on color, markings, sex or breed. Oftenpeople adopting dogs from shelters or rescue organizations put little thought intothe temperament, personality traits or trainability of the dogs they select. With thatin mind, it’s important to match the appropriate dog to the right person.

Will the dog be able to adapt to new people, places and situations with little or

no stress?INFLUENCING FACTORS

Sensitivity or Confidence levels Ability to Recover Tolerance levelsInhibition, Motivation, Stimulation and Arousal levelsHow does the dog handle Frustration?

Is the dog congenial and non-aggressive?

INFLUENCING FACTORS Primary orientationSocial orientationTolerance levelsRank orientation importanceInhibition, Motivation, Stimulation and Arousal levelsHow does the dog handles Frustration?Conflict resolution

Will the dog be tolerant of being handled or being asked to do something theydon't want to do? Will they have the patience to wait for the things they want?INFLUENCING FACTORS

Social orientationSensitivity or Confidence levelsTolerance levelsInhibition, Motivation, Stimulation and Arousal levelsHow does the dog handles Frustration?Conflict resolution

Is the dog motivated to learn and to take directions? Will they be easy andrewarding to train?

INFLUENCING FACTORSPrimary orientationSocial orientationSensitivity or Confidence levels

Ability to recover Tolerance levelsRank orientation importance

Inhibition, Motivation, Stimulation and Arousal levelsHow the dog handles Frustration?Conflict resolution



Factors to Consider WhenAdopting or Placing Dogs and

Puppies into New Homes

Compatibility

Permanency of Placement

Wellbeing of the Public or Community

Wellbeing of the Adopters

Wellbeing of the Dog



DOGS AND CHILDRENPlease note: dogs should only be placed in homes with children, if thechildren are respectful and well mannered towards animals. Even the bestdog may react badly to a child who behaves poorly or inappropriatelytowards animals.

THE DOG HAS A HIGHER LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCEEDING

IN A HOME WITH CHILDREN IF:PRIMARY ORIENTATION You want: The dog's primary orientation is high on the scale towards humans with ahigh tolerance towards children.Avoid: Dogs that are highly environmentally or prey oriented (dogs with a high prey drive).

SOCIAL ORIENTATION Whether the dog is more competitive or cooperative, you want a dog who displays a strongdesire to contribute.

SENSITIVITY LEVELS You want: The dog to be environmentally and socially confident without overt signs of over confidence.

ABILITY TO RECOVER You want: a dog who recovers quickly to a calm state from stress, excitement and frustration.

TOLERANCE LEVELS You want: a dog who is highly tolerant of being handled, reprimanded and for taking direction.

RANK ORIENTATION *IMPORTANCE You want: Dogs who act as if rank or rank order is not highly important.Avoid: *Dogs who are overly dominant or overly submissive as well as dogs that view rank ashighly important.

INHIBITION, MOTIVATION, STIMULATION AND/OR AROUSAL LEVELS You want: a dog who is more motivated than stimulated towards food, play, toys and socialinteractions. The dog's stimulation levels stay relatively low in all areas. If they do getstimulated, they recover to a calmer state quickly.Avoid: *Dogs whose inhibition levels display as overt fearfulness.Avoid: *Dogs who get highly stimulated or hyper-aroused in prey situations (high prey drive).Avoid: *Dogs who get hyper-arouse in any of the above areas or who plays very competitively.

HOW DOES THE DOG HANDLE FRUSTRATION? You want: A dog who goes from frustration to indifference or solicitation.Avoid: Dogs who go from frustration to shutting down, *Or from frustration to aggravation.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION You want: Dogs who resolves conflict by using communication that displays calmingbehaviors. These include turning away, ignoring or acting uninterested. Or they redirect theconflict towards other activities. And/Or they defuse high stress situations by displayingattempts to calm, flaunt and/or flirt. Avoid: *Dogs who use avoidance behaviors that include fleeing or acting terrorized or intimidated when faced with conflict. Avoid: *Dogs who challenge by displaying dominance behaviors, bullying tactics, pre-aggression displays and / or aggression to resolve conflicts.



DOMINANCE AGGRESSION

DOMINANCE AGGRESSION is a response some dogs willperform when they believe their social rank or status isthreatened.

Listed below are attributes a dog tends to display if they havea tendency towards dominance or rank oriented aggression.The more of these signs you see, the higher the likelihood thedog will use aggression to resolve social status challenges or rank related issues.

PRIMARY ORIENTATION The dog's orientation is high on the scale to them selvesThey may also be high on the scale towards the environment.

They may be overly oriented to a human(s), *acting highly competitive or controllingtowards other animals or people they view as competing for the human’s attention or other resources.

SOCIAL ORIENTATION The dog's social orientation is high on the scale towardsbeing competitive, *selfish and/or *demanding.

SENSITIVITY LEVELS The dog tends towards being overly socially confident.And/Or the dog may be overly environmentally confident or highly vigilant.*They may have a high prey response.

ABILITY TO RECOVER The dog recovers slowly from stress, frustration and / or fromexcitement. *Or the dog has an air of tense control.

TOLERANCE LEVELS *The dog shows low tolerances for being handled, for takingdirection and/or for reprimands.

RANK ORIENTATION AND IMPORTANCE *The dog tends towards viewing their rank as very important and will challenge, use bullying tactics, pre-aggression displaysand/or aggression to maintain their social rank or status.

INHIBITION, MOTIVATION, STIMULATION AND/OR AROUSAL LEVELS The dogmay becomes easily stimulated or aroused towards social interactions, play, toys, theenvironment and/or towards food.*Or the dog assumes an attitude of thinly veiled controlled aggression or bullyingtactics towards social interactions, play, toys, beds, furniture, the environment and/or towards food with regard to other animals or humans present.

HOW DOES THE DOG HANDLE FRUSTRATION? *The dog goes from frustration toaggravation or aggression.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION *The dog challenges, displays dominance behaviors,bullying tactics pre-aggression displays and/or aggression to resolve conflicts.



FEAR AGGRESSION A dog has a higher likelihood towards fear aggression if theydisplay combinations of the following. The more of these yousee combined, the higher the likelihood for fear relatedaggression.

PRIMARY ORIENTATION *The dog's orientation is high on the scale tohemselves. In social situations they may act aloof, withdrawn or timid. Or the dog

may be overly dependent on a single human or only socially tolerant of their mmediate “family”. *The dog may display a high level of environmental hyper-vigilance.

SOCIAL ORIENTATION The dog tends towards being overly solicitous.*Or is higher on the scale towards being selfish.SENSITIVITY LEVELS The dog is socially sensitive and/or environmentallysensitive. ABILITY TO RECOVER *The dog recovers slowly or does not recover completelyfrom stress. The dog may need to be completely removed from the situationbefore they recover.

TOLERANCE LEVELS *The dog has low tolerances for being handled and/or for aking direction and/or for reprimands. When handled they may be overly

squirmy, display escaping behaviors or act frozen, *intimidated, *terrorized or overly apologetic.

RANK ORIENTATION AND *IMPORTANCE The dog may tend to act overlyapologetic, or "wormy". They may appear worried when presented with situationshey feel compromises the pack / family rank order.

*Or the dog tends towards viewing their rank as overly important and willnappropriately challenge, use pre-aggression displays and/or aggression tomaintain their comfort level of their social rank / status or the social rank status of he pack.

NHIBITION, MOTIVATION, STIMULATION AND / OR *AROUSAL LEVELS

The dog may be overly inhibited and may seem overly motivated to pleasemembers of their pack or their humans. Or the dog may be overly aloof. *The dogmay shut down, become stressed or agitated by play, social pressure or environmental stimulation. Or *the dog becomes agitated or fear-aroused by play,social interactions or the environment.

HOW DOES THE DOG HANDLE FRUSTRATION? The dog goes fromfrustration to shutting down. *Or the dog easily goes from frustration toaggravation.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION The dog tends to resolve conflict by avoidancebehaviors which include fleeing, hiding, acting intimidated and/or terrorized.*When “trapped” they may use pre-aggression displays or aggressive displays.



TERRITORY OR POSSESSION AGGRESSION Territory or Possession conflicts account for the majority of dog to human bites inthis country. Territory conflicts can manifest as, home or property guarding,furniture or area guarding or barrier aggression. Possession aggression canmanifest as food guarding, toy/item, guarding, furniture guarding, or guardinganything the dog sees as valuable.

Rehabilitating dogs with territory or possession aggression is a very difficult process. Evenafter extensive rehabilitation, you can only reduce the likelihood of an aggressive incident. It isnearly impossible to predict and proof for all the situations and stimulation levels that maycause a possession conflict. Dogs with rank elevation issues combined with possessionissues are extremely problematic, making the rehabilitation process particularly arduous.

For some dogs, the highly managed environment of a kennel can mask overt behaviors thatindicate possession aggression. Conversely, a dog who normally wouldn’t develop possessionaggression, may develop this condition when kenneled too long. Even a well managed kennelcan magnify the conditions that encourage and reinforce possession issues. For thesereasons all dogs, who are long term residents at kennels, should be monitored and haveregular evaluations to identify possession issues and training that prevents possession issues.

If the dog is not displaying possessive behaviors but tests high for the possibility, it issuggested the dog be put on a pro-active plan to prevent possession problems. Dogs whodisplay multiple traits indicating they may have possession problems, should be thoroughlyevaluated and observed for signs of possessiveness. The more of these traits you see, thehigher the possibility of possession aggression.

ORIENTATIONDog's orientation is high on the scale to themselves or the environment.

SOCIAL ORIENTATION

*Dog is highly competitive.And/Or *Dog tends towards demanding behaviors.

ABILITY TO RECOVER *Dog's ability to recover from excitement, frustration or stress is low.

*TOLERANCE LEVELSLow tolerance levels for being handled. And/Or Low tolerance levels for taking direction. And/Or Low tolerance levels for accepting reprimands.

INHIBITION, MOTIVATION, STIMULATION OR AROUSAL LEVELS Dog is overly stimulated or *hyper-aroused by social interactions, play, toys, theenvironment or food. *Or the dog assumes an attitude of thinly veiled controlled aggression or bullying tactics towards social interactions, play, toys, beds, furniture, the environment and / or towards food with regard to other animals or humans present.

HOW THE DOG HANDLES FRUSTRATIONDog frustrates easily and/or *goes from frustration to aggravation or aggression.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION*Dog resolves conflict by challenging, aggressing or bullying.



Handling and Proximity Aggression Any organization or individual engaged in adopting dogs to the public should test for proximityand handling comfort of the dogs they have available. Many thousands of people, and childrenn particular, are bitten each year simply because they got too close to, touched or handled anoverly sensitive dog.

There are two primary reasons dogs aggress over proximity or handling issues. These are Fearand/or Dominance. With fear motivated aggression of this type, the dog sees no escape from

a "perceived" danger. With dominance related aggression of this type, the dog aggresses in anattempt to influence the behavior of the human or animal they believe are trying to control them.Reviewing the fear and dominance aggression sections will aid in recognizing these issues.The more of these traits you see displayed, the higher the likelihood the dog may display thisype of aggression.

Special Considerations Can be Given to Dogs Rehabilitating from an Injury. )

ORIENTATION Dog's orientation is high on the scale to themselves or the environment.

SENSITIVITY LEVELS Dog is socially or environmentally sensitive.Or the dog is *overly confident towards social situations or the environment.

ABILITY TO RECOVER Dog's ability to recover from stress, excitement or frustration is low.

TOLERANCE LEVELS *Dog has a low tolerance for being handled or for taking direction or reprimands.

NHIBITION, MOTIVATION, STIMULATION OR AROUSAL LEVELS Dog is highly stimulated or *hyper-aroused by social interactions, food, play or the environment.*Or the dog assumes an attitude of thinly veiled controlled aggression or bullying tacticsowards social interactions, play, toys, beds, furniture, the environment and/or towards food

when other animals or humans are present.Or the dog avoids social interactions and or acts fearful of new environments

RANK ORIENTATION AND IMPORTANCE *Dog tends to challenge and/or views their rank orientation as very important.Or the dog views the rank order of the pack as very important.

HOW THE DOG HANDLES FRUSTRATION *Dog goes from frustration to aggravation easily.Or the dog goes from frustration to shutting down.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION Avoidance behaviors with low recovery or dog reactively flees potential conflicts.*Or dog prefers to challenge, use aggression or bullying to resolve conflicts.



Acknowledgments Although I have trained dogs most of my life, over the last 25 years a number of

people have influenced how I relate to and work with dogs. Most notably, DaleNakashima helped me see dogs differently. Dr Pamela Reid inspired me tolearn more about learning. Leslie Neilson taught me the value of management.Valerie Barrette helped me understand the human-dog relationship. Chris Bachdemonstrated how motivation and drive could be used effectively. Dr SusanHetts helped me think holistically about aggression. And Sue Sternberg taughtme the value of not assigning justifications or motives for the behaviors or temperaments of dogs.

Special thanks goes to Keeper, who unwaveringly and fearlessly refused tochange until I changed.

The section titled CANINE EARLY DEVELOPMENT is modeled after segmentsof The Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training Volume I,

Steven R. Lindsay andDog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition , Adám Miklósi

The graphic displaying the consequences of operant conditioning was adapted

from, Excellerated Learning , Dr. Pamela Reid

TYPES OF AGGRESSION DISPLAYED BY DOGS was adapted from literatureby, Dr. Susan Hetts



BOOKS AND AUTHORS OF INTEREST

Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training Volumes I, II, III,Steven R. Lindsay

On Aggression , Konrad Lorenz

Animals in Translation, Temple Grandin

Dog Language , An Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior andThe Evolution of Canine Social Behavior, Roger Abrantes

Culture Clash , Jean Donaldson

On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals, Turid Rugaas

Lend Me an Ear: The Temperament Selection and Training of the Hearing Ear Dog, Martha Hoffman, Published 1999 by Doral Publishing,

ISBN # 0-944875-56-4

Don’t Shoot the Dog: The New Art of Teaching and Training, Karen Pryor

The Genetics of Dogs , Edited by Anatoly Ruvinsky and Jeff Sampson

The Behavioural Biology of Dogs , Edited by Per Jensen

Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition , Ádám Miklósi

Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog, John P. Scott and J. L. Fuller, published 1965

by University of Chicago Press. Ray Coppinger Ian Dunbar John Fisher Michael W. FoxJack PankseppJohn RogersonPamela ReidTerry RyanSue SternbergGary Wilkes

For Information on Training or Evaluating Dogs Contact ELIZABETH GONZALEZ AT (530) 898-9050



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Temperament and Training: Understanding how temperament affects the training of domestic dogs

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