Our temperament assessment has been developed by our highly qualified team of animal trainers and behaviouralists led by Senior Advisor Vicky Welsh.
These volunteer assessors are qualified as Kennel Club Accredited Instructors, or members of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council including members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, or they are individually assessed and accredited by our own team to become Wag assessors.
If your dog is at least 18 months old and you've had him or her for at least 6 months, then take this quick suitability test to see if it's likely he or she will pass the assessment and enjoy a role as a Friendship Dog.
Remember, most Friendship Dogs are normal, cuddle monsters who pose no risks, are under control, will enjoy visiting and will easily pass our assessment.
- Does your dog enjoy meeting new people and happily accept a pat from friendly strangers without barking or jumping up at them?
- Is your dog comfortable with being handled by new people?
- Does your dog walk on the lead without pulling?
- Can your dog walk on a fixed lead using a comfortable, flat neck collar or properly fitted body harness? (No chain or half check collars can be used). Head collars can be used if necessary for medical reasons.
- Will your dog "sit" and "settle" when asked?
- Can your dog walk past people with minimal reaction to walking aids, unusual noises or distractions?
- Does your dog show little reaction to clumsy or heavy stroking?
- Does your dog react well to loud, unexpected or unusual noises.
- Will your dog take food gently and leave dropped food when asked?
- Can your dog walk past another dog on a lead without lunging, snarling or barking aggressively?
- Can you confirm that your dog has never bitten anyone?
- Do you and your dog work well together as a team?
If you answered YES to all of these questions, then your dog stands a good chance of passing our assessment and becoming a Wag Friendship Dog.
If you answered NO to any of these questions, you may want to undertake some training before attending one of our assessments.
Our assessors
..to be contacted directly
Caroline Penistone
Leeming, North Allerton
Melissa Lant
Bradbury, Stockton on Tees
Anouska (Nou) Rogers-Smith
Bradbury, Stockton-on-Tees
Becky Robinson
Stokesley
Susan Gilbert
Morpeth
Julie Irving
Durham area
Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group (Morpeth)
Morpeth
Scott Mitchell Veterinary Care
Hexham
Louise Birkett
Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland
Katie Russell
Kelso, Scottish Borders and Berwick upon Tweed
Magda Jelinska
Billingham
Louise McLellan
Chester le Street