ATT

I am pretty sure that they are tested in a slip collar of some kind & a six foot leash.  I've watched one test, & I *think* that the collar/leash were provided.  I would bring along a choke chain to test in just in case they aren't provided.

I doubt that she will fail for jumping on the friendly stranger.  I'm not even sure that it would lower her score on that part of the test.  Now if she jumps on the neutral stranger, there might be an issue.

My advice, stay calm & relaxed so that she doesn't feed off of your nervous energy.

Have fun!  I know that you will both do GREAT!!! 

(And, we want more Josie, Kaiser, & Wyatt pics!!! )

Well, I'm seeing this late, so it's too late to tell you for prep today, but I'll share for anyone else who searches the site looking for feedback.  Please be sure to let us know how you did when you're done!! :)  Pictures would be awesome, too. lol

SO, for everyone else who wonders the answers or wants "advice" on the American Temperament Test:

As for collars - slip collars, no flat.  (I think because flat collars can be used like aggitation collars)

If you haven't already, consider testing her walking over the ex-pen, since I hear a lot of dogs fail there, for some reason.  Since the human isn't on the surface (the way they are in WAE) it seems this should be "easier", so I don't know why they fail.

Have you tested her with gunfire?  Any friends/training partners with starter pistols?

I don't know about failing if she jumps on the friendly stranger - I suspect Amanda is right about the neutral stranger, though.  Either way, since no commands are allowed, you'll need to consciously remind yourself not to tell her "OFF" if she jumps on the stranger.  (SOOOO hard not to correct, I'm sure!!)

Well, let us know how she did!!

Slip collars and Loose Leads all the way. If you tighten up on the lead they will caution you once then fault you as a pair.  They do not speak in a HIGH voice, the friendly Stranger walks up in a normal pace to You they ignore your dog , the dog may sniff or act interested but typically most well mannered dogs won't jump up in this situation.  The Stranger that Grooms your dog , is like the CGC testing, Our Grooming stranger got a lot of kisses ( that was okay) , The x pen on the ground is a common fail zone since You are not allowed on the x pen your dog tends to want to avoid it as well.  If you are lucky they put a wide one down. Your dog will also walk on a tarped surface , most dogs are cool with it.  The popped open Umbrella and the Bucket of rocks are more about how the dog handles it , they must be interested in it and you are allowed , with the examiner's permission to encourage them to investigate. I found the easy way to handle the bucket was to put rocks and a cookie in one and get them used to the rattle rattle followed by a treat, they never failed to investigate. I have seen very few RRs fail the crazy person part of the test. They are expected to insert themselves between you and the possible stranger. The only fails I saw were dogs that went behind the owner to avoid the possible nutcase...   The dog is actually okay if it goes to the end  of the lead or threatens the scary person....as long as they do so within reason. They can't drag you to eat the guy but again some aggression or warning is fine .  It is really hard to get photos of ATT testing as most of it will be at a distance from the waiting photographers. I have some that are about 2 years old some where on snapfish but I just don't have time to find them right now :9( sorry....  This is truly the most important test our dogs can take, while hard to find as they are truly limited they are invaulable in the fight against BSL. 

 Thanks so much for the advice guys!! Paige, i actually take the test the 14th, so you're not too late!!

Is a martingale type collar considered a slip collar? If not, i'll need to find one. Unfortunately, i work 4 days in a row this week, but i'll take wed-fri to practice some of the things you all talked about. Bonita, i love the idea of a treat in the bucket! She's never been around gunfire...maybe i could find a place where i could take her with me and shoot my .38. Fireworks don't scare her though. I had someone she knows run at her and scream and she got really excited, did a play bow and jumped, lol. Reaction could be different with a stranger though.

Thanks for all the advice, and i'll let you guys know how it goes!!

When I took it with Kenya we were required to have a sturdy 6' leash (like 1" leather, I guess they'd had issues with dogs snapping leads) and a slip collar that the dog also could not slip out of backward.  I used a rolled leather slip collar that buckled on, so it "choked" but also was on tight enough where it couldn't loosen so much that she could back out of it.  The first "test" for us was going up to the tester and having him check the collar and lead.  Now I took it at a Schutzhund club (not my own, never had been there before and haven't been since) and perhaps they were being more cautious because all the dogs but us were Schutzhund trained and expected to respond aggressively to the aggressive stranger.

I've been slightly interested in temp testing Apollo. I was looking at the ATT.org website, what exactly are they looking for in the Subtest 9: Threatening? Also, dogs are tested against their breed standard, correct? Because a Lab rarely has protective tendencies compared to a breed specifically bred for that purpose...

That's correct from what i understand, Stephanie. I was reading something that used the example if a siberian husky lunged at the aggressive stranger, it would fail...whereas this would be acceptable for dobe, gsd, etc.

I've watched a couple of videos on you tube...i'll make sure to come back and give the full report when we're done!!

Bonita of Bwana

The dog is actually okay if it goes to the end  of the lead or threatens the scary person....as long as they do so within reason. They can't drag you to eat the guy but again some aggression or warning is fine . 

This may be where Dobes are different than RRs.  Dobes are personal protection dogs.  If you've trained your dog for SchH, you just have to tell the judge this ahead of time, from what I've been told.  That being said, there is a line you're not allowed to cross - you have to hold your dog back with your feet behind that line so he doesn't actually make contact with the threatening stranger.

Edit, I just added some extra info:  Megan, Burns just posted some video of her dog going through the WAE this year and last over on DT.  Gives a good reference and you can clearly see everything (other than the weird noise/can station).  He failed both times, but he improved on his reaction to the threatening stranger.  And, PS, the threatening stranger in the WAE seems to ALWAYS look the same - trench coat (hiding a bite sleeve), wide brim hat, concealed face (ie, looking down).  Some ATTs I've heard the threatening stranger be MUCH louder in their random actions (and I don't recall if they ever get to the charging-at-your-dog part).

Since you haven't practiced gunfire, find a friend who does track and field (or ask your local training club).  You'll want someone to issue the gunfire three times after you have walked past them, and continue walking... (so the noise "comes out of nowhere).

If you need a good slip collar, in this case, I'd be sure to get a good one that won't break (no rivets where it loops around the ring).  I used to get really good ones from *somewhere*.  Grr... I'll keep looking, though.  As Amanda mentioned, they usually have some at the event, and you can bring a chain choke if necessary.  (We all know you don't train on them, it's just used for this)

PS, re: slip collar.  These are the only ones I recommend, currently.  Google "Nylon Ultra Braid Choke" and you'll find them at JB Wholesale.  Mine have all held up over years - and they were used on at least a hundred dogs.  Not sure if you can get them in time for the 14th, but for anyone else, they're cheap and good quality! What an amazing thing...

Reminds me, I ought to write a Product Recommendation on them when I have free time

BlackLabbie

I've been slightly interested in temp testing Apollo. I was looking at the ATT.org website, what exactly are they looking for in the Subtest 9: Threatening? Also, dogs are tested against their breed standard, correct? Because a Lab rarely has protective tendencies compared to a breed specifically bred for that purpose...

Correct.  A good tester not only takes into account the breed, but the training.  For example, Kenya did NOT react to the aggressive stranger, but on the form you indicate training so the tester knew she had done a lot of therapy training, CGC, and had never done any Schutzhund training or protection work.  All of her training was socializing her and desensitizing her NOT to react to people doing weird things.  We simulated this a lot in the therapy training.  She passed that portion, albeit with a very low score, but since she did not back away or show any fear, she still passed.

 I'm thinking about not taking her now...i got my umbrella out to see what she would do, and she booked it and went and got on my bed! It's a 2 hour drive and i'm not sure I should take her if she's gonna freak out over an umbrella.

Thanks for posting this thread!  I had looked at the ATTS site a while back and determined that Maggie wasn't likely to enjoy it (gunshots would freak her out I think), so didn't pursue it, but now that I have Kes I'm rethinking that.  There's a test in October that is 2 hours away that we may shoot for...

RidgebackGermansShep

 I'm thinking about not taking her now...i got my umbrella out to see what she would do, and she booked it and went and got on my bed! It's a 2 hour drive and i'm not sure I should take her if she's gonna freak out over an umbrella.

I have the same thing with Coke, he spooks pretty easily (but recovers instantly and doesn't hold a "grudge";).  We drove about 3 hours each way for Kenya's test so I had tested her under gunfire beforehand.   During our actual test, *I* jumped but she didn't move other than turning her head in that direction.  We had to walk past a Schutzhund blind and they fired three shots as we passed so it was behind us and only about 5 feet away.

Well, i drove 2 hours to take the stupid test today...i get there, and they said not many people showed up so the evaluator just went home. The flyer said 9-4, not 9 'til whenever we feel like leaving. I was sooooooo mad. So, if there's ever one near me again i'll leave very early. UGH