Response from Dr Patricia Simonet:

This is a hot topic at the shelter where I spend many hours. I say all the dogs can be salvaged. Others, more pragmatic than myself, say we have limited funds and we cannot save them all.

Now, the answer to your question in specifics is going to be a little long, due to how many parts your question contains. I designed the assessment tool now being used at Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS).

This tool is somewhat patterned after ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society. The ASPCA & Best Friends elements are having a detailed ethogram (list of defined behaviors). The evaluator is not allowed to say, "I feel the dog is this or that." The evaluator is allowed to check the appropriate boxes of observed behaviors during different components of the evaluation. Each component builds upon the last, increasing the pressure or stress on the dog. We can identify at the very point at which the dog indicates he does not wish to continue. The pressure is very much like the kind of evaluation used by Delta Society Pet Partners T, i.e., unusual objects, startle response, detailed examination of body, restraining hug.

The problem with any and all assessment tools is that it captures a snap shot of the dog at that particular moment in the dog's life. Also, it captures a moment in the dog's life that is pretty stressful (even without the evaluation). Assessment tools still lack complete accuracy in their ability to predict the dog's behavior in a home. However, we get an idea about what will make the dog aggress.

Add to this mix that dogs go through a "honeymoon period" during which they try to incorporate into their new pack or family. They will ingratiate themselves in whatever way works. Then after about 9 days (give or take a day or two), the dogs start to settle into their new digs. They assess their humans.

The dog's assessment of humans includes subtle behaviors such as placing a paw upon the human's foot. If the human does not respond by removing his or her foot out from under the paw, then the dog marks the appropriate check box, "Does not remove foot." The dog then starts pawing the human's leg when he wants attention. The human automatically pets the dog. The dog checks the appropriate box, "Pets on demand." These little tests indicate to the dog where the
boundaries are and are not.

Many adopters have little skill when it comes to deciphering the subtleties of their dog's behavior. We must help them with this component of pet guardianship. So is it possible to correct behavior such as growling at delivery people or visitors? Absolutely, yes. Chasing cars/bikes? Yes, again. Does this type of behavior make the dog "unadoptable?" No, no, no. In my eyes the only thing that would make a dog unadoptable and unfixable is a dog that has a history of biting people. Here is my pragmatic side. Agencies cannot afford to be sued and go out of the business of saving animals. If you place a dog knowing of his or her history of biting and s/he bites again, then a lawsuit is sure to follow.

I would handle the growling at visitors and delivery people in a very similar fashion to how the Golden Retriever from an earlier question was answered, desensitization, and teach a new behavior. My Foster used to be a "Freak." Maybe freak is not harsh enough. He would press himself against the window adjacent to the front door, his teeth gnashing, barking wildly at visitors. Now he runs to his spot and waits. This really can be accomplished.

Trixie is a Delta Society certified therapy dog, who used to chase children on bikes. She was saved through counter-conditioning.

How can one determine if a dog is truly aggressive? I am not sure we humans have a tool that can determine this with finality. I think you and your shelter can identify propensities of behavior and temperament. In these propensities you will have to decide who may and may not adopt certain dogs.

I would be happy to send anyone who wants a copy of the SCRAPS Temperament and Behavior Evaluation assessment tool. Please e-mail me at psimonet@petalk.org and I will send it.

All NMHP Forum messages are available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NMHP/

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Oct. 14, 2005