The saying goes, “a dog is a man’s best friend.” This has been proven true; they were the first domesticated animals and have been by our side for thousands of years. Today, service dogs, in particular, are carefully selected and trained in highly specialized areas to assist people emotionally and physically. Many of these dogs were chosen and trained as puppies to work in complex environments. However, many shelter dogs don’t have those opportunities. These dogs are overlooked because they have unidentifiable backgrounds or haven’t been bred to do a specific job. That begs the question: what qualities make a dog fit for training as a service animal, and how can we screen for such qualities in shelter dogs?
To answer this question, Pia Lucidi, a professor of domestic animal physiology and behavior, has created a model that translates a shelter dog’s traits into those of a talented service dog or pet. This model, called the Ethotest, is beneficial for shelter dogs who are unknown breeds and have unknown backgrounds. According to her research paper in Applied Animal Behavior Science, this test “is able to select dogs capable of creating a special bond with humans and able to work anywhere and with any human partner or team.” She set up an experiment with 23 dogs — many of them mixed-breeds — and tested them in a three-step evaluation process.
[Shelter] dogs are overlooked because they have unidentifiable backgrounds or haven’t been bred to do a specific job.
Test A, the first step, checks for aggressiveness and dominant temperament. It tests a dog’s aggression toward both people and other dogs. The test administrator pulls ears, raises hind legs, and turns the dogs onto their back. If the dogs react aggressively, they score a zero on that section. Those who pass this test are more friendly and docile.
Test B, the second step, filters for the traits of initiation, sociability, and fear. The test administrator goes near a dog enclosed behind a fence. The dogs earn points if they don’t jump and only go near the fence. If the dog does nothing or jumps on their hind legs, they score a negative one or zero, respectively. To test sociability, the test administrator stands silently, calls the dog’s name, invites the dog with open arms, and brings in a new dog. During each step of these actions, the first dog is observed for a wagging tail and an easy demeanor. The final part checks for fear: dropping an object noisily on the ground. If the dog shows fear, runs away, or barks, it loses points. If the dog is quiet but alert, it earns points.
Test C is the final part of the test and measures the dog’s learning capability. Only if the dog passed the cutoff for test B will it be tested for this part. The dog is taught new, basic skills, such as walking on a leash, climbing stairs, or sitting. The dog earns points by consistently learning these skills and performing them without hesitation, nervousness, or disobedience.
The results were confirmed by the Delta Society standards, which is involved in many assisted animal therapy programs. When comparing the results of the Ethotest to the Delta Society method, they were almost the same. However, the Delta Society focuses on the relationship between the handler and the dog, while the Ethotest focuses on the dog. This emphasizes the dog’s ability to be a service animal in a variety of job placements and not just in singular roles. This test model also allows dogs with unknown backgrounds and who don’t meet the age requirement to be part of the service industry. The Ethotest can also provide shelter dogs with higher chances of being adopted, tending to be more appealing to families if they pass the test. Training shelter dogs as service animals allows dogs to have a chance at a life with purpose, compassion, and security.
Applied Animal Behavior Science (2005). DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2005.04.006
