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> 19 – Excitable

19. Excitable

Definition Absent Very Mild Mild Moderate Severe
Increases energy and arousal levels without observed stress signals in response to stimuli such as, but not limited to, greeting a person, seeing another animal, being petted, anticipating going outside or for a walk or car ride; may whine in response to stimulus
  • Remains calm in presence of exciting stimuli. No additional handler direction required to manage dog.
  • Very mildly or mildly increases energy and arousal levels without observed stress signals in response to stimuli
  • Signs may include:
    1. very brief very mild to mildly increased body movements such as but not limited to brief attempts of non-forceful jumping, pawing or muzzling
  • Excitability does not interfere with working or responding to the handler when provided minimal encouragement, supportive direction and/or up to 15 seconds to process without handler intervention
  • Moderately increases energy and arousal levels without observed stress signals in response to stimuli
  • Signs may include:
    1. brief bursts of moderately increased body movements such as but not limited to light panting, 1 or 2 brief barks, repeated but controllable attempts of jumping, pawing and play biting
  • Excitability does not interfere with working or responding to the handler when supportive direction is provided or allowing up to 30 seconds to process without handler intervention
  • Moderately increases energy and arousal levels without observed stress signals in response to stimuli.
  • Signs may include:
    1. moderate increase in body movements, short periods of jerky body movements or one instance of running into things or showing less control of the body, moderate panting, prolonged or repeated barking that can be redirected
  • Excitability interferes with working or responding to the handler despite supportive direction. The dog is difficult to manage and/or requires over 30 seconds but less than 2 minutes to return to a productive state even with supportive handling.
  • Becomes wildly excited in response to stimuli
  • Signs may include:
    1. severe increases in body movements
    2. repeated periods of jerky body movements
    3. running into things or showing more frequent poor control of the body
    4. moderate to severe panting
    5. prolonged or repeated behaviors such as barking, jumping, play biting that are very difficult or unable to be managed or redirected
  • Dog is unable to work or continue responding to handler despite moderate to high levels of supportive direction. The dog is difficult to manage and/or requires over 2 minutes to return to a productive state even with supportive handling
Video Examples
GDBart Adult Dog Test
Walk & Talks
Puppy Test