Dogs Have Personality, Too - Temperament and personality in dogs

Dogs Have Personality, Too - Temperament and personality in dogs

Every dog is unique, regardless of breed. Like a child, your dog needs to be loved for who he is, and you need to keep this in mind as you train him. You can’t train every dog or puppy the same way — each one learns differently based on identifiable personality traits as well as breed characteristics.

Here are six different personality descriptions. Consider where your dog fits in.

BOSSY

These dogs take themselves very seriously. Strong-willed and determined, they simply ignore anyone they don’t respect. A dog with this personality requires a strong, consistent training program and is happiest when everyone involved takes the same approach.

COMEDIAN

These jokesters are always dancing on the edge of good behavior and will reveal any inconsistency within your approach or within the family. Engaging, they thrive on

interaction and may be naughty simply to get attention. A comedian needs clear

direction, consistent follow-through, and a calm approach. Being too stern can backfire as this dog will get hyper when a lesson becomes too rigid.

JOE COOL

This easygoing lot takes life in stride and may not pay attention to your concern,

energy, or disapproval. These dogs often prefer to nap during lessons and can be

challenging to motivate. Be persistent with your lessons; left undirected they can easily get distracted and find themselves in harm’s way.

EAGER TO PLEASE

Dogs with this personality put your approval high on their priority list. The drive for attention is so great that these dogs may indirectly learn such routines as jumping up when greeting to get attention that don’t meet with everyone’s approval. Training need only be presented and reinforced in a consistent manner for this dog to cooperate.

SWEET PEA

These endearing dogs are gentle and loving, often preferring to view life from the sidelines. They prefer not to make waves and can sometimes appear overwhelmed if lessons are too strict. Adoring and sweet, they can be needy if ignored. A calm,

praise-heavy training approach works best to bring out the best in this personality type.

TIMID

Dogs in this group do not tolerate new situations, dogs, or people well. Calm familiarity is reassuring to them. To an outsider, a timid dog may appear abused, as he cowers and hides at the slightest distraction. Consistent, affirmative lessons will help this dog establish a stronger sense of himself.

To determine a dog’s or puppy’s personality, you can do a series of exercises. Test A is best done on a puppy under 5 months; Test B is for dogs over 5 months.

Test A: Puppies Under 5 Months

1. Watch your puppy interact with other puppies.

Is he

a. Bossy, biting and climbing on the others’ backs?

b. Playful, responding to the others’ interactions or

carrying toys?

c. More interested in you?

d. Laid-back and relaxed?

e. Content to sit alone?

f. Fearful?

2. Cradle your puppy in your arms (if you can).

Does he

a. Squirm and bite to be freed?

b. Mouth playfully, then relax?

c. Relax immediately and lick your hand?

d. Relax and look content?

e. Look submissive, licking your hand with his ears

back?

f. Look afraid?

3. Shake a set of keys above your puppy’s head

without his knowing it. Does he

a. Respond assertively, jumping up to bite the keys?

b. Try to play with the keys?

c. Look to you?

d. React calmly?

e. Look confused?

f. Act fearful—tail tucked, ears back, hunched down?

4. Gently grasp the scruff of your puppy’s neck,

just behind his ears. Does he

a. Turn to defend himself?

b. Lay his ears back and reach up to playfully interact?

c. Quickly lower himself to the floor and roll to one

side playfully or lick your hand?

d. Relax?

e. Roll submissively to one side, and possibly pee?

f. Look frightened—roll to one side, tail tucked under

belly, ears pinned back?

5. Fall to the floor and pretend to grasp your knee

in pain. Does he

a. Pounce and bite you?

b. Playfully run to you with his tail wagging?

c. Run to you, putting his head under your body?

d. Not respond?

e. Act confused?

f. Run to a corner, tail and ears down?

Test B: Puppies Over 5 Months and Adult Dogs

1. Call your dog in an enclosed space. Does he

a. Completely ignore you?

b. Look and consider, perhaps staying just out of

reach?

c. Race right over or make a game out of keep-away?

d. Slowly come or allow you to approach?

e. Come quickly with a lowered posture signaling

submission (if he left your side in the first place)?

f. Get skittish?

2. Approach your dog while he is chewing or playing

with a toy. Does he

a. Protect the toy with a stiffened body?

b. Playfully move his head so the object is just out of

reach or tug to keep the toy?

c. Welcome your approach or play a familiar game of

keep away or tug?

d. Lay his head over the toy or give the toy up without

a struggle?

e. Give the toy up while licking your hand or wagging

his tail submissively?

f. Look as if you’re about to hit him or race away with

the object fearfully and stay just out of reach?

3. Wake your dog from a nap (clap your hands above

his head). Does he

a. Jump up aggressively?

b. Wake quickly and prepare to play or look for a toy?

c. Get up and come to you?

d. Only partially get up?

e. Look confused and either come to you or move to

a safe place away from the noise?

f. Jump up and look frightened?

4. Take a box of cereal to your dog’s level and give

him one treat at a time. Does he

a. Demand the box?

b. Take the treat and playfully try to stick his nose in

the box?

c. Take one treat at a time, following your hand as

you reach in for the next treat?

d. Take the treat or, if hungry, nose the box?

e. Take the treats one at a time?

f. Take the treat quickly or take it and go to the box

for more with a look of panic?

5. Fall to the floor and pretend to grasp your knee

in pain. Does he

a. Approach you and sniff?

b. Playfully run to you with his tail wagging?

c. Run to you, putting his head under your body?

d. Not respond?

e. Act confused?

f. Approach you momentarily and then pace the

room?

Interpret the Results

The answers to these questions will help

you assess the puppy’s or dog’s personality.

• Mostly A’s: Bossy. A dog who tries to control or dominate situations, is headstrong and self-assured, may challenge directions, and submits only to a consistent approach

• Mostly B’s: Comedian. A playful dog who puts fun above obedience

• Mostly C’s: Eager to Please. A dog who seeks your approval and is dependent on your interactions

• Mostly D’s: Joe Cool. A laid-back dog who always approaches life in that manner. Although it sounds dreamy, it can be frustrating if you crave interaction or involvement.

• Mostly E’s: Sweet Pea. A reserved dog who is cautious and depends on direction

• Mostly F’s: Timid. A timid dog who may let his fears override his trust if not worked with consistently

Few dogs get straight scores. Like human beings, they are a mix of traits.

How to determine a dog’s or puppy’s personality