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> 15 – Body Sensitivity to Object Contact

15. Body sensitivity to object contact

Definition Absent Very Mild Mild Moderate Severe
Inhibited by physical contact with objects other than harness handle on back. Manifested by change in energy, mouthing the harness or other object, inhibited reaction or slowing down and/or avoiding or freezing when placing item over head or wearing items such as dog jackets or body of the harness, hypervigilance with foot placement, avoidance of tight spaces, focus 2-3 feet in front of the dog
  • If newly exposed, score after walking 1 minute to acclimate if needed.
  • Unfazed by physical contact with objects such as stepping on rough surfaces, leaves, twigs etc.; collar or leash touching body, placing head into harness, wearing harness or other objects, etc.
  • Remains relaxed.
  • If newly exposed, score after walking 1 minute to acclimate if needed.
  • Initial very mild signs of anxiety from physical contact with objects such as stepping on rough surfaces, leaves, twigs etc.; collar or leash touching body, placing head into harness and/or wearing harness or other objects.
  • Signs may include:
    1. infrequent tongue flicking
    2. mild slowing down
    3. very mild avoidance
    4. slight loss of responsiveness to work
  • Recovers very quickly and remains able to work & respond effectively without handler support.
  • If newly exposed, score after walking 1 minute to acclimate if needed.
  • Mild signs of anxiety from physical contact with objects such as stepping on rough surfaces, leaves, twigs etc.; collar or leash touching body, placing head into harness and/or wearing harness or other objects.
  • Signs may include:
    1. frequent tongue flicking
    2. mild hypervigilance where stepping
    3. moderate slowing down or restlessness
    4. mild avoidance of tight spaces
  • Recovers quickly with support or time to acclimate, but has mild loss of responsiveness to work.
  • If newly exposed, score after walking 1 minute to acclimate if needed.
  • Moderate anxiety and slow recovery from physical contact with objects
  • Signs may include:
    1. moderate hypervigilance when walking on rough surfaces
    2. avoidance of tight spaces
    3. moderately avoiding harness being placed over head and/or wearing harness or other objects
  • Maintains work with encouragement but has moderate loss of responsiveness to work.
  • If newly exposed, score after walking 1 minute to acclimate if needed.
  • Severe anxiety from physical contact with objects
  • Signs may include:
    1. Severe inhibition including freezing
    2. severe hypervigilance when stepping
    3. overriding the handler’s instructions to avoid situation and/or freezing
    4. strongly avoiding harness being placed over head and/or wearing harness or other objects
  • Does not maintain work and fails to recover to previous level of composure and responsiveness despite significant handler support or acclimation time.
Video Examples
GDBart Adult Dog Test
Walk & Talks
Puppy Test