Dog Training and Behavior Questionnaire

Helps professional dog trainers understand a dog's temperament, history, and behavior challenges before designing a training plan.

Use this template

Name

Nombre

Apellido

Primary Email

Alternate Email

Please let us know of any disability, health, or physical issue we should be aware of that could affect your ability to take part in training your dog.

Name

Reason for Contacting Us

What is the main problem you are inquiring about?

When did you first notice this behavior?

Has the behavior changed recently? (More frequent, more intense, different circumstances?)

How often does it occur?

Can you anticipate when it is likely to happen? (When, where, who is present, trigger, etc.)

Why do you think your dog behaves this way?

What have you done so far to address this? With what result?

What would you consider a successful outcome of a training program?

Please describe several recent incidents in as much detail as possible.

Is there a second problem you are inquiring about?

When did you first notice this second behavior?

Has this second behavior changed recently? (More frequent, more intense, different circumstances?)

How often does the second issue occur?

Can you anticipate when the second issue is likely to happen? (When, where, who is present, trigger, etc.)

Why do you think your dog behaves this way regarding the second issue?

What have you done so far to address the second issue? With what result?

What would you consider a successful outcome regarding the second issue?

Please describe several recent incidents related to the second issue in as much detail as possible.

Check all the behaviors that apply and concern you, and give details.

Please describe.

Are there any particular dog-to-dog dynamics relevant to your inquiry?

Veterinary Clinic

If not, please advise. (e.g., titer test, health condition, etc.)

Any relevant past medical or health conditions (allergies, medication, injury, etc.)? If yes, please describe.

Have you discussed your dog's training and behavior concerns with your veterinarian? If yes, what was their advice?

How does your dog behave at the veterinary office?

What are your reasons for having a dog?

Where did you get your dog from? Include the organization's name if known.

How old was your dog when you got him/her?

What do you know for certain about your dog's background?

What were some of your reasons for choosing this particular dog?

Where do you live?

House Apartment Condo

Are there any relevant changes or dynamics that may affect your dog?

Is anyone in your family afraid of, or does not like, your dog?

Is there any conflict at home regarding your dog's behavior and training?

Describe the environment around your home.

What do you feed your dog? Please be specific (brand, variety, canned, dry, raw, home-cooked, etc.)

How food-motivated is your dog?

Describe your dog's mealtime. (Where, when, how often, who feeds, any special routine, etc.)

Does your dog guard their meal against people? (Growling, snapping, etc.)

Describe any treat routine your dog has. (Who gives them, what kind, etc.)

What would you say are your dog's favorite pastimes?

Play: What types of play do you engage in with your dog? Please describe.

Exercise: What types of exercise does your dog regularly get?

Leash walks: How often, where, and how does your dog behave on a leash?

Walking gear: What kind of leash, collar, or harness do you currently use?

What have you tried in the past?

Off-leash time: Does your dog get off-leash time? Please describe why or why not.

Muzzle: Does your dog use a muzzle for any reason?

How long is your dog left alone on an average day?

Where is your dog kept when you are not home?

What does your dog do when left home alone? Fine, okay, or anxious/distressed?

How does your dog behave when you leave and return home?

Is your dog content in a crate? If not, describe their history with crates.

What does your dog do during the day when you are home but not interacting with them?

Is your dog allowed on the furniture?

Yes No

Do you have any special rules or boundaries at home, in the yard, etc.?

Where does your dog rest during the day when you are home?

Where does your dog sleep at night?

Is your dog a sound sleeper, or easily disturbed? Please describe.

What does your dog do at mealtimes when you are eating or snacking?

How does your dog react when familiar people come to your home? (Barking, jumping, mouthing, calm, etc.)

How does your dog react when unfamiliar people come to your home? (Barking, jumping, mouthing, calm, etc.)

Does your dog ride along on car trips? Please describe how often, where, and how they behave.

Which grooming tasks do you perform yourself? (Bathing, brushing, trimming, nail clipping, teeth cleaning, ear cleaning, none, other...)

How does your dog react during grooming? (Calm, struggles, resists certain areas, bites, needs a muzzle, etc.)

Does your dog go to a professional groomer?

Is your dog fully house-trained?

Does your dog urinate when excited, greeting someone, or stressed? Please describe.

Any other details?

Describe any enrichment activities, games, or jobs your dog has.

What do you like about your dog? Name two or three things.

What do you find most annoying about your dog? Name two or three things.

What training goals would you like to work toward?

What have been some of your training successes? (Tricks count!)

What are some of your training challenges?

How do you let your dog know when they have done something good?

What are some of your dog's favorite rewards? Be specific.

How do you let your dog know when they have done something wrong?

What types of corrections have you tried or currently use? (Interrupt, redirect, time-out, verbal reprimand, physical reprimand, scruff, muzzle grab, alpha roll, spray bottle, chain toss, shake can, choke collar, pinch collar, citronella collar, e-collar, etc.)

With what effect? (E.g., no change, behavior stopped, got worse, only worked with a certain person, etc.)

Has your dog had any professional training before? If yes, please describe.

What type of methods were used?

How was your experience and the results?

Have you used a trainer with a past dog? If yes, with whom, and please describe the experience (reason, training given, outcome, etc.)

How would you describe your dog's sociability with other dogs in general?

Friendly Selective Fearful Aggressive

What is your dog's typical play style? (Chasing, body-slamming, wrestling, bullying, other?)

Does your dog attend doggie day care, use a dog walker, or stay at a boarding facility?

Does your dog regularly visit dog parks? If yes, describe the park type, interactions, and behavior.

If yes, please describe.

Has your dog ever bitten another dog and broken the skin?

What is the ratio of fights to bites? (E.g., 20 fights to one bite.)

Has your dog ever been bitten by another dog? If yes, please describe.

What is your dog's experience with cats?

No Exposure Calm Around Cats Chases Cats Aggressive Toward Cats

Any negative experience with other domestic animals? (Horses, chickens, etc.)

Has your dog had any experiences with wildlife that worried you?

If yes, please describe.

Have they bitten and bruised or broken the skin?

Situational Reactions

When people approach their food, dish, or bone, etc.?

When people approach their possessions or toys, etc.?

When people approach their bed or the couch, etc.?

When being handled, grabbed, or restrained, etc.? If yes, please describe.

If disturbed while resting or sleeping?

When visitors come to the home and property?

When visitors move around inside the home? If yes, please describe.

When out on a walk and they see people in the distance? If yes, please describe.

When out and about and people pass by (jogging, on bikes, skateboards, etc.)?

When around familiar children?

When around unfamiliar children?

When around toddlers? If yes, please describe.

When around babies?

Number of Bites That Broke Skin

Total Number of Bites (With or Without Broken Skin)

Total Number of Aggression Episodes (Growling, Snapping, Biting)

Please describe a typical episode. (Does the dog growl, lunge, or bite, and under what circumstances?)

If the dog is in that situation 10 times, in how many of those times does aggression appear? (All = 100%, just one = 10%, etc.)

What parts of the body has the dog bitten, and how severe were the injuries?

Who is/are the target(s) of the aggression?

Did your dog show worrisome behavior as a puppy?

How old was your dog the first time he/she growled at a person?

Is there anything else you would like us to know about your situation or your dog?

Final Assessment

Overall Rating

How much time per day can you dedicate to training? (In 10-minute increments, e.g., total 1 hour.)

Dog Training and Behavior Questionnaire

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