German Shepherd Dog Club WA TC

Ekko, German Shepherd owner: Tonya LeAnn Macquarrie

Temperament Certification Test

Step 1: Stranger Approaches and Speaks
A friendly person walks up to the handler and dog to wish them "Good Luck" in the test. The dog should allow this to happen and accept this with no biting or signs of shyness.

Step 2: Stranger Approaches to Speak and Touch the Dog
A person comes up to the dog to touch and talk to him/her. The dog should allow this and accept this with no problems.

Step 3: Hidden and Unfamiliar Noise
Handler and dog walk up to a blind. A person behind the blind shakes a tin can or pail containing choker chains, nails or similar items that would make a rattling unfamiliar noise. The dog should be alarmed and may even bark at the noise, but not act scared or frightened. Then with the handler's encouragement, the dog may approach the can or pail to check out where the noise came from.

Step 4: Gun Shots
Handler and dog stand backward to a stopping point. A person shoots off 3 or 4 blanks from a gun. The dog should turn around and stand firm as if to guard his handler from any harm. The dog should not be frightened or scared, but stand secure.

Step 5: Greeting a Stranger with an Unfamiliar Object and Sudden Motion
Handler and dog walk to stopping point. The dog should want to visit the person sitting in the chair. At this point the person opens an umbrella in the dog's face, alarming him/her. The dog can bark and back away, but with the handler's reassurance that all is well, the dog should check out the umbrella and the person. The handler may touch the umbrella to help the dog sniff of this object that alarmed him/her.

Step 6: Walk on Unfamiliar Surface with Handler
Handler and dog walk over a tarp that is lying on the grass. The dog should walk on the tarp with good footing and not want to jump off.

Step 7: Walk on Unfamiliar Surface with Handler Along Side
An exercise pen is lying on the grass. As the handler walks along side the pen, the dog must walk on the pen without jumping off. Secure footing is a must!

Step 8: Life-threatening Situation
Handler must have a secure grip with both hands on the dog's leash so that the dog cannot get away. A stranger approaches from out of the bushes to frighten the handler and act as though he wants to do bodily harm. The dog should stand firm to protect the handler with his/her life.

This concludes the testing. At this point the tester will tally the score. If the dog passes certification, T.C. may appear behind the dog's name. This test is not AKC approved, therefore, the T.C. designation behind the dog's name is unacceptable at any AKC event.

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