Case Study – Using the Evaluation Checklist

Case studies are a great training tool for members and their staff.  To close our two months spent delving deep into dog evaluations a case study seemed to be the best format to summarize using your new tools.  We have prepared a case study video to help you start using the new Off-Leash Play Evaluation form.  The Jess Dog Evaluation Case Study that we shared with you last month has been expanded.

To complete this case study you will need:

1. Blank Off Leash Play form and Instructions
2. Jess-Off-Leash-Play-Application
3. Client Feedback Form For Dog Evaluations
4. 20-30 minutes of time to review application, watch video, complete the checklist and client feedback form

The 7 minute video includes clips from a dog evaluation done at Urban Tails.  Jess is a female Doberman mix that applied for the dog daycare program.  Based on review of the application it was decided to schedule the evaluation during an onsite training programs (this is the reason you will observe so many people in background of the video).  The full evaluation session took about 45 minutes to complete.

Background:

Review Jess’ Off Leash Play Application to review the completed Application form for background information on Jess, the applicant dog (names have been changed to protect the innocent).

Urban Tails’ training manager led the evaluation session.  The video includes an assessment of Jess greeting and interacting with the manager prior to meeting dogs.  During this assessment the manager is giving Jess obedience cues and she responds positively to them.

The video shows Jess meeting four tester dogs (during the actual evaluation she was introduced to six different dogs, including a small cavalier).  The first two dogs, Sheppy and Dallas were low-key calm balanced adult dogs frequently used during evaluations.  Sheppy is a male, six-year old cocker/chow mix.  Dallas is a female eight-year old bassett hound.  Buddy and Brownie are both males under three years of age.

Dog evaluations at Urban Tails are performed on leash with staff handling the leads.  You will observe the dogs are wearing metal choke collars that are not fitted to each dog.  This is not a recommendation from The Dog Gurus, but is the procedure followed by Urban Tails for evaluations.

Jess’s mom did attend the evaluation and was instructed to ignore Jess and to not interact with her during the session.  Mom was encouraged to interact with the other tester dogs.  Near the end of the clip you will see Jess at a door as her owner had left the room for that portion of the evaluation.

Urban Tails has three primary play groups for dogs that attend daycare.  Puppies under 5-6 months of age attend separate daycare playgroups from the primary groups listed.

1. Small Tails – Comprised of smaller, less active dogs and some large low activity dogs. Tiny dogs (less than 10 pounds) are excluded from this group.
2. Happy Tails – Comprised of younger large dogs and medium-sized dogs that are active players.
3. Body Slamming Tails – Comprised of large very active dogs that enjoy chase, wrestle and body-slamming play styles.

How to Use the Case Study:

The goal of this case study is to practice using the new Off-Leash Play Evaluation Checklist and Client Feedback forms.

Once you have your documents ready, complete the following steps:

1. Review Jess’s completed Off-Leash Play Application form and complete the Background section of the Off-leash Play Evaluation form
2. Watch first section of the video (pause when instructed after the human interaction section)
3. Complete the Human Interaction section of the Off-Leash Play Evaluation form
4. Watch second section of the video (pause when instructed after the dog greetings section)
5. Complete the Dog Greetings section of the Off-Leash Play Evaluation form
6. Watch last section of the video
7. Complete the Playgroup Behavior section of the Off-Leash Play Evaluation form
8. Complete the Client Feedback Template for Jess’s Evaluation Session

Audio Note: Audio only accompanies clips when it is relevant dog communication or explains what is happening during the evaluation.  Several clips are silent to eliminate distracting background noises.

To see the completed Off-Leash Play Evaluation checklist from The Dog Gurus, Robin and Susan, click here.  To view a copy of their client communication letter click here.