Skill Assessment Questionnaire
You have 30 Minutes to complete this questionnaire
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1. You approach a dog in a kennel for the first time. Which combination of body language is the clearest sign that you should pause and reassess before entering?:
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Stiff body, weight shifted slightly back, mouth closed, hard staring eyes, tail held high and tight, slow or no wag
Loose body, soft eyes, open mouth with gentle panting, tail wagging at mid-height in wide sweeps
Dog is lying on its side with legs relaxed, slow blinking eyes, occasional soft sighs, tail resting loosely
Dog is lying on its side with legs relaxed, slow blinking eyes, occasional soft sighs, tail resting loosely
2. You are introducing a new dog to a play area. Which initial setup best supports safe separation and observation before allowing direct interaction?
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Allow the dog off-leash in a room with the other dogs to avoid leash tension
Bring the new dog out on long leashes and allow nose-to-nose engagement, and let them work it out while you hold the leashes
Keep the new dog crated and allow the other loose in the room so they can smell each other safely
Use a secure barrier like an exercise pen or gate so the dogs can see and sniff each other through it while the handlers keep leashes loose and watch body language
3. You are walking a boarding dog down a hallway when another dog suddenly appears at the far end, barking and lunging on leash. Your dog stiffens, closes its mouth, and stares. What is the safest immediate action?
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Drop the leash so your dog can choose how close to get to the other dog
Quietly and quickly increase distance by turning away or ducking into a side room or fenced area, while keeping your dog’s leash short but not tight
Keep walking straight toward the barking dog to show your dog there is nothing to fear
Stop in place and allow your dog to stare at the other dog until they calm down
4. You open a kennel door and see a dog standing at the back, weight shifted back, tail tucked, ears pinned, and lip licking repeatedly while avoiding eye contact. What is the best next step?
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Walk in confidently, clip the leash on quickly, and pull the dog out so it gets used to handling
Stare at the dog until it submits, then step in and leash it
Open the kennel fully, step back, and wait until the dog rushes out, then grab the collar as it passes
Sit or crouch sideways outside the kennel, avoid direct eye contact, softly toss high-value treats toward and then into the kennel, and give the dog time
5. A dog in the play yard is suddenly freezing still, staring at another dog, tail up and rigid, mouth closed. What is the best management action to keep everyone safe?
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Walk over and physically push the stiff dog away with your leg to interrupt
Call both dogs cheerfully away, increase distance between them using recalls or leashes, and redirect them to another activity or separate groups if needed
Wait and see if the dogs "work it out" without interference
Clap loudly and yell at the stiff dog until it breaks eye contact
6. During intake, a client tells you their dog is "sometimes snappy" around food and toys. Which operational practice is the safest default for this dog in a boarding facility?
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Feed the dog in a private space or kennel with the door securely closed, remove bowls only after the dog has moved away, and limit or closely manage high-value items around other dogs
Allow the dog to share food and toys freely in group play to help it "get over" resource guarding
Ignore the note unless you see guarding during the first day, then decide what to do
Let other dogs access the dog’s food and toys under supervision so you can correct any guarding behavior immediately
7. You are asked to move a large, fearful dog from its kennel to the outdoor yard. The dog is crouched, tail tucked, and growling when you approach the door. What is the most appropriate handling strategy?
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Enter the kennel, corner the dog, slip the leash on quickly, and pull it out despite the growling
Use a verbal correction to address the growling. Once the growling has stopped, leash the dog
Use a slip lead from outside the kennel, keep your body turned sideways, speak softly, toss high-value treats, and move slowly, ready to pause or stop if the dog escalates
Refuse to move the dog at all and leave it in the kennel for the rest of its stay
8. In a training-based boarding program, you notice a dog avoiding you by moving away, showing the whites of its eyes, and lifting a front paw whenever you reach for its collar. What is the best training and handling adjustment?
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Use a leash correction to communicate the the behaviour is unnecessary
Use a long line or harness and approach in a curve rather than straight on. Pair touches near the collar with treats, and progress gradually
Ignore the signals, grab the collar quickly each time so the dog learns there is nothing to fear
Stop handling the dog at all, these are indicators the dog is a bite risk
9. Which combination of kennel and yard procedures best reduces conflict and stress for dogs during boarding transitions (in/out of kennels, to yards, to training sessions)?
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Allow dogs to meet through partially open kennel doors so they can "get to know" each other more quickly
Walk dogs past each other in very tight spaces whenever possible to teach them to tolerate close contact
Move one dog at a time, confirm notes on temperament and group status, keep leashes short but relaxed, and avoid allowing nose-to-nose greetings at kennel doors or tight corners
Open several kennels at once and let dogs stream into the hallway together, then sort them into yards based on size
10. Which scenario best demonstrates staff correctly recognizing and responding to early signs of fear or aggression during a training session?
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The dog avoids eye contact and leans away from the trainer, so the trainer forces eye contact by holding the dog’s head
The dog stiffens and growls when the trainer reaches for its bone, so the trainer grabs the bone anyway and scolds the dog
The dog flinches when touched on its back, so the trainer repeatedly pats the same spot until the dog "gets used to it"
During leash work, the dog starts to yawn repeatedly, turn its head away, and lick its lips when the trainer leans over it, so the trainer steps back, changes body position, uses lower-intensity exercises, and adds more food rewards
Identify the Dogs Body Language
Choose One
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Fear Reactive
Defensive Aggression
Play Bow
Passive Submission
Choose One
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Active Submission
Active Aggression
Greeting Posture
Neutral Posture
Choose One
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Neutral Posture
Play Solicitation
Greeting Posture
Passive Submission
Choose One
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Arousal
Aggessive Attack
Active Submission
Fearful
Choose One
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Play Solicitation
Active Attack
Active Submission
Arousal
Choose One
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Neutral Posture
Active Aggression
Submissive
Fearful
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