Basenji Rescue and Transport, Inc.
GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING A BASENJI
BRAT sometimes asks its local
volunteers to evaluate a basenji before we accept the dog into our program
for possible placement. If you are asked to evaluate a dog, these
guidelines will help you in asking the right questions and properly
evaluating the dog. You will be supplied with a copy of the BRAT Rescue
Form submitted by the owner. Be sure to review this form before you visit
the dog and ask the owners to verify their answers to all of the questions
on the form. Also, if you have a camera (digital or otherwise) bring it
with you to the evaluation and send any photos to us so that we can post
them on the Web site.
These guidelines are designed for volunteers evaluating
a dog in a non-shelter situation. If the dog you are asked to evaluate is
in a shelter, you will need to modify the process since the shelter
personnel will not know much about the dog's history. If you have any
questions about the evaluation process in general or with regard to this
particular dog, please write to us at BRAT-HELP@lists.basenjirescue.org
PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS
Can be asked over the telephone or at the home of the
owner before you see the dog.
1. Questions to determine whether the owner(s) have
worked with the dog (If the dog doesn't know any commands or just
one or two, or doesn't know any tricks, this is a pretty good sign the
people haven't worked much with the dog.):
- Has the dog had any formal training?
- Does the dog pull on a leash when they are walking
him?
- What commands does the dog know? (sit, stay, off,
leave it, down)
- Does the dog know any tricks?
- What sort of games do you play with your dog?
2. Questions to determine sociability (If the
dog doesn't ride in the car and is put away when company comes over, he is
not very well socialized.):
- Does the dog ride in the car often?
- What do you do with the dog when company comes?
- What does the dog do when another dog approaches when
you are walking him?
- Where does the dog stay when he must stay home alone?
- What does the dog do when he sees another dog when
you are in the car?
- How does the dog act at the vet's office?
- Do you walk the dog? How often, how far, for how
long? Does the dog pull on the leash during the walk?
- What does the dog do when someone knocks at the door?
3. To determine how sensitive the dog is:
- How does the dog react to having his toenails
clipped?
- What places on his body would your dog just as soon
you did not mess with? His
head? Rear quarters? Feet?
- Is your dog bothered by thunder?
- Does your dog like being cuddled?
4. To determine if the dog is dominant:
- What does the dog do if you try to move him from a
spot where he is comfortable?
- What makes your dog growl or snark?
- How does your dog react if you try to take away a toy
he is playing with, or food when he is eating?
- Does the dog have a crate? Does he use it? How often?
For how long?
- What type of crate is it? Plastic? Wire?
- Where does the dog sleep?
- Does your dog mind being picked up?
5. If the dog is being given up because a baby is
coming or has just arrived
- What is it about the dog that leads you to believe
the dog might harm your baby?
- Has he ever nipped anyone before? Has he ever bitten
anyone to the point of breaking the skin?
- If yes, what were the circumstances?
ACTUAL EVALUATION OF THE DOG
A dog should be evaluated on his friendliness,
shyness, fearfulness, sociability, training, manners, sensitivity to being
touched, dominance, and aggressiveness.
Also: Be sure to bring test strips to
test the dog for sugar in the urine (Fanconi Syndrome). Take the dog out
for a walk so that s/he urinates so you can test the dog. More information
on strip testing can be found at both:
http://basenjicompanions.org/health/fanconi/syndrome.html and
http://www.barkless.com/guide/strip.htm.
BRAT will reimburse you for the cost of the test strips.
- Use common sense. Respect both the dog and his
owners.
- Take plenty of treats.
- Do not bend over the dog. Get down to the dog's level
by either sitting on the floor or on a chair. Hold your hand down to
your side, palm up with a treat on it.
- Ignoring the dog, but watching with your peripheral
vision, talk to the owners about the dog. Do not try to approach the
dog ... let the dog come to you, noting how long it takes. The
longer the dog takes to approach you the less social he is. Note if
the dog seems stressed, ears back, licking his lips, averting his
eyes, not looking at you directly, turning his head away when you look
at him. Do not set a dog up in order to evaluate a specific
trait. If you cannot determine it on your own, discuss it with the
owners.
- Did the dog come up to you readily?
- Did the dog growl at you at any point? If yes, what
were the exact circumstances?
- Did you notice any of the stress signs listed above?
- Did the dog readily take treats from the palm of your
hand?
- Did the dog ask for more treats?
- Could you reach out your hand to the dog, after he
approached you?
- Did he jump away when you reached toward him?
PREPARE A REPORT ON THE DOG
After you have completed your evaluation, prepare a
written report setting out your opinion. Make a recommendation as to
whether you believe the dog can be placed. Go through the factors above
and tell us how you think the dog performed. If you have no reservations
about recommending that BRAT accept the dog for placement, prepare a
paragraph or two about the dog and his positive features so that we can
send that to our list of applicants. Send your write-up to us at: adoption@basenjirescue.org |
