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Dog Behavior in Animal Sheltering

Three research papers explain the flaws of shelter-dog behavior evaluations and why there are better ways to get to know the dogs in your care.

Our Research

Between 2016 and 2022, our authors reviewed published studies on how a dog's personality or behaviors are evaluated in animal shelters. The results were released in three papers which are briefly summarized below:

The results were released in a three-part series:

What is the evidence for reliability and validity of behavior evaluations for shelter dogs?

A prequel to “No better than flipping a coin”

No better than flipping a coin

Reconsidering canine behavior evaluations in animal shelters

Saving Normal

A new look at behavioral incompatibilities and dog relinquishment to shelters

Cute dog in black glasses lying on floor with funny look
Adopt a shelter dog, Gen Z dog trainer

Are Behavior Evaluations of Dogs in Shelters Reliable or Valid?

Our authors systematically reviewed 17 published studies that attempted to assess the validity and reliability of behavior tests of dogs in animal shelters. They found that neither validity nor reliability in any of the tests came close to meeting accepted standards required for useful diagnostic tests. 

The paper confirmed the findings of earlier reviews, that behavior evaluations of dogs intended for use in animal shelters are neither reliable nor valid enough to justify their use to influence the care and adoption of dogs who are between homes. 

 
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Can formal behavior evaluations predict the future behavior of dogs living in shelters?

The authors argue that behavior evaluation results tell us no more than simply flipping a coin. They calculated whether even a test much more reliable and valid than any currently in use could yield results that might help make good decisions about individual dogs. The outcome: it wouldn’t

The authors suggest focusing on behavioral histories, incident verification, and prioritizing positive activities where a dog’s social skills can be observed and practiced, instead of unreliable formal evaluations.

 

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Research Library - Popular Articles - NCRC (1)
Happy Dog Looking Up

Do Relinquishment and Behavior Evaluations Pathologize Normal Dog Behaviors?

The authors challenge the perception that behavioral incompatibilities are an important factor driving the relinquishment of dogs to shelters. In addition to finding little support for this belief in the relinquishment literature, they found that owners who were living happily with dogs reported no fewer incompatibilities with their pets than owners who relinquished their dogs.

Key takeaways from this review:

  • The prevalence of significant behavioral incompatibilities (often referred to as behavioral “problems”) may be greatly overestimated.
  • Relinquishing owners cite behavioral reasons less frequently than other reasons. Behaviors as a reason for relinquishment are often lumped together. Reasons such as housing are broken down into categories, i.e. moving, landlord, etc. This gives an exaggerated impression of the role of behavioral incompatibilities
  • Different adopters of the same dog saw contrasting behaviors in their individual homes
  • It is not possible to know whether an adopter will be compatible with the dog they choose. However, most are.
  • Some behavioral incompatibilities between dogs and their humans are common in successful relationships. Dogs live successfully in homes without having “perfect” behavior. One person’s irreconcilable difference is another’s “too cute for words.”
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teenage girl in a yellow jacket walks in the park with her dog Staffordshire Terrier
Being loved and cherished is not incompatible with having some behaviors or habits owners might prefer dogs not have, if given the choice.

Saving Normal Authors

Bradley, Patronick, Arps

One person’s
"irreconcilable difference"
is another’s
“too cute for words.”

Related Topics

Two Myths about Behavior Evaluations for Shelter Dogs
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We Asked a Computer Program about Dog Behavior and Here’s What It said
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Loving A Dog Doesn’t Require Perfection
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Assumptions about Dog Behavior in Unnatural Environments Leads to Longer Shelter Stays
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Behavioral incompatibilities, not behavior problems
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Unvalidated, unreliable, and unnecessary: Evidence for the case against formal behavior evaluations for shelter dogs
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