The Temperament Test
The TC consists of 8 "stations". The dog is judged on its reaction at each station (or lack of reaction), and if it startles, how long it takes the dog to recover, and after it recovers, is it willing to investigate the thing that startled it. During the test, the handler may say the dogs name or talk to the dog. They are allowed to encourage the dog to investigate the umbrella (station 5) and noise maker (station 3). If a dog fails one test (or sub-test) then it fails the entire TC.
Station 1 - Neutral Stranger
Dog and handler are approached by a neutral stranger who stops and talks to the handler for a moment, ignoring the dog. The dog is graded on its response to the stranger.
Station 2 - Friendly Stranger
Dog and handler are approached by a friendly stranger who stops and talks to the handler for a moment, making friendly advances towards the dog. The dog is graded on its response to the stranger.
Station 3 - Hidden Noise
The dog and handler walk towards a blind that has a person hidden in it. The person in the blind shakes a can of rock/pennies in it . The dogs is graded on its reaction to the noise, and willingness to investigate. The handler is allowed to encourage the dog at each station from Station 3 to the end of the test.
Station 4 - Gunshots
The dog and handler stand about 15 feet from a person holding a gun. The handler has their back to the person. The person fires a starter pistol twice, then after a pause, fires the pistol one more time. The dogs is graded on its reaction to the noise.
Station 5 - Umbrella
The dog and handler walk towards a person sitting in a chair. The tester opens an umbrella (dog and handler continue to walk forward). The dogs is graded on its reaction, recovery time, and willingness to investigate. The dog must be willing to check out the umbrella.
Station 6 - Plastic Surface
The dog and handler walk across a plastic surface (tarp on the ground). The dog is graded on its reaction to the surface and willingness to walk across it.
Station 7 - X-Pen
The dog walks across an x-pen laid out on the ground. The dog is graded on its reaction to the surface and willingness to walk across it.
Station 8 - Weird Stranger
A stranger comes out of a blind dressed in lots of baggy clothes and acting weird, reeling around and making weird noises. The stranger walks towards the Handler and dog, then he stops and begins to act more aggressive, hitting the ground with a stick or riding crop and making more noise. The dog is graded on its reaction to the stranger.
