Well, Forgy probably wouldn't be with us now if the refuge in France (fortunately very rural and non-sophisticated) had used such tests. He doesn't bite, but growls loudly if anyone apart from me touches his food bowl whilst he is eating. He also barks and growls a lot at other male dogs he meets in the street (but not females - he loves them, haha!). Yet he is the most affectionate and loving dog with us.
Dogs protecting their food is a basic behaviour, which comes from their genetic history when they were wild and had to fight for food. As a child, I was warned and quickly learned never to touch a dog's food whilst s/he is eating.
The tests seem contrived and artificial. A plastic hand could even be confused for a toy.
From your article, Catherine:
“During the most stressful time of a dog’s life, you’re exposing it to deliberate attempts to provoke a reaction,” Dr. Patronek said. “And then the dog does something it wouldn’t do in a family situation. So you euthanize it?”
That sums it up very well.
Dogs protecting their food is a basic behaviour, which comes from their genetic history when they were wild and had to fight for food. As a child, I was warned and quickly learned never to touch a dog's food whilst s/he is eating.
The tests seem contrived and artificial. A plastic hand could even be confused for a toy.
From your article, Catherine:
“During the most stressful time of a dog’s life, you’re exposing it to deliberate attempts to provoke a reaction,” Dr. Patronek said. “And then the dog does something it wouldn’t do in a family situation. So you euthanize it?”
That sums it up very well.
