Behavioural Assessment Questionnaire

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Section 1: Dog Details

Dog’s Name*

Breed / Type*

Age*

e.g. 3 years, 18 months

Sex / Neuter Status*

Male – Entire (intact)

Male – Neutered (castrated)

Female – Entire (intact)

Female – Spayed (neutered)

How Long Have You Owned Your Dog?*

e.g. Since birth, 2 years, 6 months

Section 2: Background and History

Do you know your dog’s history prior to coming to you?

Yes, fully

Partially

e.g. breeder, rescue, rehomed

Please describe your dog’s history

Has your dog lived in kennels, foster care, or multiple homes?

Yes

Unsure

Please describe these previous living situations

Have there been any significant life changes recently?

Yes

e.g. house move, new people, bereavement, routine change

Please describe the recent life changes

Section 3: General Temperament

How would you describe your dog’s general nature?

Confident

Sensitive

Nervous

Independent

Sociable

Boisterous / Exuberant

Other

Select all that apply

Please describe your dog’s nature further

How does your dog respond to unfamiliar people?

How does your dog respond to unfamiliar environments?

When something worries your dog, do they recover quickly or take time?

Recovers quickly (within minutes)

Takes some time (up to an hour)

Takes a long time (hours or rest of day)

Rarely or never appears worried

Section 4: Time Spent Alone

Can your dog be left alone at home?

Yes, comfortably

Yes, but only briefly

Sometimes / with difficulty

How long can your dog be left comfortably?

e.g. 2 hours, up to half a day

What happens when your dog is left alone?

Please describe your dog’s behaviour as fully as you can

How soon do any concerning behaviours begin after you leave?

e.g. immediately, within 10 minutes, after 30+ minutes

Does your dog show signs of anxiety before you leave?

Yes

Sometimes

e.g. pacing, following you, whining as you prepare to go

Please describe these pre-departure signs

Section 5: Signs of Stress or Anxiety

Please indicate which of the following your dog shows when stressed or anxious

Which signs of stress or anxiety does your dog display?

Barking / whining / howling

Pacing or restlessness

Panting / drooling / trembling

Scratching doors / attempting to escape

Destructive behaviour

Toileting indoors

Refusal of food

Freezing / shutting down / withdrawn behaviour

None of the above

Other

Select all that apply

Please describe the other signs of stress

Section 6: Separation and Dependence

Is your dog anxious only when left completely alone, or also when separated within the home?

Only when completely alone (no one in the house)

Also when separated within the home (e.g. different room)

Both situations equally

Does not appear anxious in either situation

Can your dog settle if you are in another room?

Yes, easily

Sometimes

No – follows or vocalises

Is your dog able to relax independently when you are present?

Yes, easily

Sometimes

No – needs to be in contact or close by

Does your dog follow you constantly or seek frequent reassurance?

Yes, constantly

Sometimes

Rarely or never

Section 7: Confinement and Environment

Is your dog comfortable being confined?

Yes, no problem

Sometimes / depends on the situation

No – shows distress

Never been confined

e.g. crate, room, kennel, car

Has your dog ever attempted to escape confinement?

Yes

Unsure

Has your dog ever injured themselves trying to escape?

Yes

Please describe the injury or incident

How does your dog cope in enclosed or unfamiliar spaces generally?

Section 8: Handling, Reactivity and Bite History

Please answer the following questions honestly. This information is essential for the safety of your dog and our staff, and will be treated with complete confidentiality.

Has your dog ever growled at, snapped at, or bitten a person?

Yes

Unsure

Please describe what happened – including the situation, what the dog did, and the outcome

e.g. warning growl only, snap with no contact, bite that caused minor/significant injury

Has your dog ever shown similar reactive behaviour towards another dog?

Yes

Unsure

Please describe the dog-to-dog incident

Are there situations where your dog is more likely to react?

Being handled

Approached by strangers

Confined

Disturbed while resting

Around food or toys

Around other dogs

None of the above

Other

Select all that apply

Please describe other reactive situations

What signs does your dog show before reacting?

Stiffening

Freezing

Avoiding / turning away

Lip licking

Growling

Raised hackles

Hard stare

None that I notice

Other

Select all that apply

Please describe other pre-reaction warning signs

How easy is it to interrupt or redirect your dog once they become uncomfortable?

Easy – responds quickly to a cue or distraction

Possible – takes some effort or familiar cues

Difficult – once triggered, hard to redirect

Very difficult – escalates despite attempts

Section 9: Handling and Veterinary Care

How does your dog cope with routine handling?

e.g. collaring, lead attachment, grooming, checking paws/ears

How does your dog behave at the vet?

Has your dog ever required sedation, a muzzle, or multiple handlers?

Yes

Unsure

Please describe the circumstances

e.g. what procedure required it, how the dog behaved, outcome

Section 10: Experiences Outside the Home

Has your dog stayed in kennels, daycare, or boarding before?

Yes

How did they cope in previous kennels or boarding?

Please describe how your dog managed – any issues or positives noted by staff

How does your dog behave at the vet or groomer?

Can your dog be handled or walked by someone they don’t know well?

Yes, no problem

Sometimes – needs an introduction first

No – needs to be with someone familiar

Section 11: Food, Play and Coping Ability

Will your dog take food in a new environment?

Yes, always

Usually, but may take a moment to settle

Sometimes

Rarely or never in new places

Will your dog eat when slightly unsettled?

Yes, always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely – goes off food when stressed

Does your dog explore and engage, or withdraw when unsure?

Explores and engages confidently

Explores cautiously, then settles

Withdraws initially, takes time to settle

Shuts down – very difficult to engage

Section 12: Triggers and Patterns

Are there specific situations that increase your dog’s anxiety?

Being left alone

Unfamiliar places

Loud noises

Other dogs

People coming and going

Travel / car journeys

Vet / grooming appointments

None that I’m aware of

Other

Select all that apply

Please describe any other anxiety triggers

Are there situations where your dog copes better?

e.g. familiar environments, certain people present, particular times of day

Have you noticed any patterns or improvements over time?

Section 13: Health and Support

Has your dog been assessed by a vet for behavioural concerns?

Yes

Please provide details of the vet assessment

e.g. what was assessed, diagnosis, any recommendations made

Is your dog currently on any medication or supplements?

Yes

Please describe the medication or supplements

Please include names, doses, and what they are prescribed or recommended for

Has your dog worked with a trainer or behaviourist?

Yes

Please describe the training or behaviourist work

e.g. what was worked on, methods used, progress made

Section 14: Practical Planning

What would a successful outcome look like for you?

e.g. dog settles comfortably overnight, can be left for a full day, is relaxed and happy on collection

Are your dates flexible depending on your dog’s progress?

Yes, I can be flexible

Somewhat – limited flexibility

No, dates are fixed

Are you able to attend regular introductory visits if required?

Yes

Possibly – depends on timing

We may recommend short visits prior to a full stay to help your dog settle gradually