Monday, June 30, 2008

R.A.T.E. Temperament Testing

I developed the R.A.T.E. temperament test as a means to accurately assess a dog's compatibility with humans and, to a lesser degree, other animals. R.A.T.E. is an acronym for the Rocky Alexander Temperament Evaluation. The test is conducted by scoring a dog's reactions to various situations within a number of categories including:

  • Dominance/Submission
  • Social Attraction
  • Restraint
  • Object Possessiveness
  • Prey Drive
  • Sight and Sound Sensitivity
  • Touch response

Consideration is given to the dog's physical structure and health.

The evaluation is based on a consistency of scores, as opposed to cumulative totals. While the scores themselves can often be enough to provide a very basic idea in regard to a dog's temperament, the accuracy of any evaluation should never be reliant on scores alone. The scoring system is designed to be used in conjunction with the qualified evaluator's observations during the session.

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