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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:
    infrequent tongue flicking
    mild slowing down
    very mild avoidance
    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:
    frequent tongue flicking
    mild hypervigilance where stepping
    moderate slowing down or restlessness
    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:
    moderate hypervigilance when walking on rough surfaces
    avoidance of tight spaces
    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:
    Severe inhibition including freezing
    severe hypervigilance when stepping
    overriding the handler’s instructions to avoid situation and/or freezing
    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

Test Type Absent Very Mild Mild Moderate Severe
GDBART Adult Dog Test Absent Example 1 | Example 2 Example 1 | Example 2 Moderate Example
Walk & Talks Absent Very Mild Mild Moderate Severe
Puppy Test Absent Very Mild Mild Moderate Severe