Mental/Character Test in Action

Pictures by Jani Heinilä

The Mental Test in Finland is executed in 10 phases:

 

PHASE #1 - Interview

The test starts with the judge interviewing owner. The purpose of this interview is to find out how much experience this dog has, what is the possible training level (for instance a dog trained to defence work reacts differently than a pet), e.t.c.

 

 

 

PHASE #2 - Accessibility

The judge gives the dog possibility to take contact. If the dog doesn't make contact independently the judge calls it by it's name. The dog should allow the judge at least to take contact with it, and then there are, of course, numerous alternatives of liking, disliking, or loving it!

 

PHASE #3 - Fighting

The judge tries to get the dog to fight with him. This is performed with a stick or some stuff. If a dog starts to play with the stick, it will also be threatened by the judge to estimate the actual force of this feature.

PHASE #4 - Function capacity test 1 (threatened)

This phase is executed by pulling an obscure, human like figure towards the dog, who is standing on a leash with his owner. The dog can't solve the sort of this menace, and will be afraid of it (must be!). The capability of functioning is actually seen when the figure reaches dog's owner and stops moving. How long it does take to make contact with the figure? Does the dog need help from it's owner e.t.c.

 

PHASE #5 - Defence test

The dog is walking with it's owner. Suddenly the judge attacks the owner with force. The dog should immediatelly start to protect the owner and stay between the figurant and the owner. When the dog has reacted clearly (escape or defence action) the judge stops the attack and starts to talk friendly to the dog. The dog should stop defending and meet after a while the judge frindly without any aggression.

PHASE #6 - Mental hardness test

This phase is normally performed with an umbrella which suddenly opens in front of the dog to scare it. The mental hardness is determined when the owner takes the dog back to the scareing place after a while. A soft dog refuses to go again to that place, a hard one doesn't seem to remember the whole thing.

 

PHASE #7 - Temperament test

This phase is normally performed by letting a noisy clattering barrel roll after and chase the dog. The force of dog's reaction shows it's temperament.

 

 

PHASE #8 - Function capacity test 2

Dog's owner goes into a dark room which has several obstacles for the dog. After a while the dog is let into the room. The dog should search for it's owner without help in the dark. It should ignore other people and all the obstacles on his way to the owner.

 

PHASE #9 - Aggressivity test

The dog is tied up to a wall with a short leash and left alone there. The judge tacks slowly towards the dog with a growing force. The more aggressive tendency a dog has, the earlier it starts to resist the attack.

PHASE #10 - Shooting test

The dog may still be tied up to the wall, or it may be standing on leash with the owner. There will be at least two shots from a distance. The dog shouldn't be afraid of these shots.