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Stabyhoun Temperament Questionnaire

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Stabyhoun Temperament Questionnaire

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How does your Stabyhoun compare to others? Help the ASA find out what makes this breed tick!

Today's Date*
Owner's Name*
FCPR, AKC-FSS, or Foreign Reg number
Sex of Dog*

Section 1: Training and obedience

1. When off the leash, Staby returns immediately when called.*
2. Obeys the "sit" command immediately.*
3. Obeys the "stay" command immediately.*
4. Seems to attend/listen closely to everything you say or do.*
5. Slow to respond to correction or punishment; "thick-skinned".*
6. Slow to learn new tricks or tasks.*
7. Easily distracted by interesting sights, sounds, or smells.*
8. Will "fetch" or attempt to fetch sticks, balls, or objects.*

Section 2: Fear and anxiety

Stabys sometimes show signs of anxiety or fear when exposed to particular sounds, objects, persons or situations. Typical signs of mild to moderate fear include: avoiding eye contact, avoidance of the feared object, crouching or cringing with tail lowered or tucked between the legs, whimpering and whining, freezing, and shaking and trembling. Extreme fear is characterized by exaggerated cowering, and/or vigorous attempts to escape, retreat or hide from the feared object, person or situation.By clicking on the following scales, please indicate your own dog's recent tendency to display fearful behavior in each of the following contexts:
9. When approached directly by an unfamiliar adult while away from your home.*
10. When approached directly by an unfamiliar child while away from your home.*
11. In response to sudden or loud noises (e.g. vacuum cleaner, car backfire, road drills, objects being dropped, etc.).*
12. When unfamiliar persons visit your home.*
13. When an unfamiliar person tries to touch or pet the dog.*
14. In heavy traffic.*
15. In response to strange or unfamiliar objects on or near the sidewalk (e.g. plastic trash bags or bins, leaves, litter, flags flapping, etc.).*
16. When examined/treated by a veterinarian.*
17. During thunderstorms, firework displays, or similar events.*
18. When Staby hears gun fire.*
19. When approached directly by an unfamiliar dog of the same or larger size.*
20. When approached directly by an unfamiliar dog of smaller size.*
21. When first exposed to unfamiliar situations (e.g. first car trip, first time in elevator, first visit to veterinarian, etc.).*
22. In response to wind or wind-blown objects.*
23. When nails clipped, groomed or bathed by a household member.*
24. When having his/her feet toweled by a member of the household.*
25. When unfamiliar dogs visit your home.*
26. When barked, growled, or lunged at by an unfamiliar dog.*

Section 3: Separation-related behavior

Some Stabys show signs of anxiety or abnormal behavior when left alone, even for relatively short periods of time. Thinking back over the recent past, how often has your dog shown each of the following signs of separation-related behavior when left, or about to be left, on its own:
27. Shaking, shivering, or trembling.*
28. Excessive salivation.*
29. Restlessness, agitation, or pacing.*
30. Whining.*
31. Barking.*
32. Howling.*
33. Chewing or scratching at doors, floor, windows, curtains, etc.*
34. Loss of appetite.*
35. Are there any other situations in which your dog displays separation anxiety? If so, please describe briefly:*

Section 4: Excitability

Some Stabys show relatively little reaction to sudden or potentially exciting events and disturbances in their environment, while others become highly excited at the slightest novelty. Signs of mild to moderate excitability include increased alertness, movement toward the source of novelty, and brief episodes of barking. Extreme excitability is characterized by a general tendency to over-react. The excitable dog barks or yelps hysterically at the slightest disturbance, rushes toward and around any source of excitement, and is difficult to calm down.By clicking on the following scales, please indicate your own dog's recent tendency to become excitable in each of the following contexts:
36. When you or other members of the household come home after a brief absence.*
37. When playing with you or other members of your household.*
38. When doorbell rings.*
39. Just before being taken for a walk.*
40. Just before being taken on a car trip.*
41. When visitors arrive at your home.*

Section 5: Attachment and attention-seeking

Most Stabys are strongly attached to their people, and some demand a great deal of attention and affection from them. Thinking back over the recent past, how often has your dog shown each of the following signs of attachment or attention-seeking:
43. Displays a strong attachment for one particular member of the household.*
44. Tends to follow you (or other members of the household) about the house, from room to room.*
45. Tends to sit close to, or in contact with, you (or others) when you are sitting down.*
46. Tends to nudge, nuzzle or paw you (or others) for attention when you are sitting down.*
47. Becomes agitated (whines, jumps up, tries to intervene) when you (or others) show affection for another person.*
48. Becomes agitated (whines, jumps up, tries to intervene) when you (or others) show affection for another dog or animal.*

Section 6: Miscellaneous

Dogs display a wide range of miscellaneous behavior problems in addition to those already covered by this questionnaire. Thinking back over the recent past, please indicate how often your Staby has shown any of the following behaviors:
49. Chases or would chase wild birds given the opportunity.*
50. Chases or would chase squirrels, rabbits and other small animals given the opportunity.*
51. Escapes or would escape from home or yard given the chance.*
52. Eats own or other animals' droppings or feces.*
53. "Mounts" objects, furniture, or people.*
54. Begs persistently for food when people are eating.*
55. Steals food, counter surfs.*
56. Nervous or frightened on stairs.*
57. Urinates against objects/furnishings in your home.*
58. Urinates when approached, petted, handled or picked up.*
59. Urinates when left alone at night, or during the daytime.*
60. Defecates when left alone at night, or during the daytime.*
61. Hyperactive, restless, has trouble settling down.*
62. Displays playful, puppyish, boisterous behavior.*
63. Active, energetic, always on the go.*
64. Frequently chases own tail/hind end.*
65. Chases/follows shadows, light spots, etc.*
66. Barks persistently when alarmed or excited.*
67. Licks him/herself excessively.*
68. Displays other bizarre, strange, or repetitive behavior(s)*.*

Section 7: Aggression

Stabys rarely display aggressive behavior. Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling and baring teeth. More serious aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
69. Please indicate below if your dog has any tendency to act aggressively.*

Section 8: Overall

Please take a moment to describe your dog's character or temperament in a few words!
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