Altho a smal snapshot of a big picture, all the questions seem relevant and important to me.

spiritdogs

How many pups were in the litter your dog came from (if you know) and did you meet the parents?

I want to know more about the purpose of this particular question, why is being asked?  

Important questions....but seven to eleven pages? What other questions are being asked? Is it possible for you to copy it into your post?

 This is important because there are certain behavior problems noted, for example, with singleton puppies.  Some behaviors are learned behaviors, and transmit from the dam to the puppies - also to rule out any behavioral consequences from genetic disorders.  Sometimes the parents are not available for inspection - in the case of the dam that always puts up a little red flag for me to investigate further.  Some breeders' dogs are known to end up in rescue...

7-11 pages long?! Whew, that's a lot of questions I want to know what else you ask!

Either way, here's my answers. You tell me if I need a professional please :) : (I'll answer for Neiko since Dakota is a lost cause)

What is the most important thing you want to change about your dog's behavior

 Neiko jumping up on people when they come into the home and how he can be a little obnoxious when playing with other dogs.

I imagine you ask this just to get a general opinion of what people think the biggest issue is. You probably get some pretty telling answers 

What is typical 24 hour day like for your dog?

Food in the morning, kong in the crate - sleep 4 hours until noon then play time for 45 mins while I'm home for lunch. Back into the crate for another 4 hours with another kong + bone, then dinner at 5:30, then to the dog park for about an hour. Followed by a good bone chewing session, maybe some minor obedience reinforcement, then sleep (he chooses where to sleep, either on the floor or in his crate).

This is probably to see if the dog gets enough exercise? 

Where does the dog sleep?

Crate or floor.

To determine if sleeping arrangements are part of the problem? Status, isolation, etc.

Ages and gender of any packmates.

 Female, 14 yr old packmate.

To determine if dogs are compatible. Maybe an old dog hates a new hyper puppy. Or a female + female pack is having status issues, etc? 

How many pups were in the litter your dog came from (if you know) and did you meet the parents?

There were 3 litters all born with a day of each other and all raised together. So there was a total of 3 mothers and 19 littermates. I met all dogs: mom dogs, dad dogs and grandparent dogs. As well as all of the puppies 

To see if the dog came from a BYB or puppy mill situation? 

Why did you choose this breed? (This one can surprise you)

I wanted the same activity level of my husky (when she was younger), but without the husky traits. I was looking for a loyal dog that is easy to train and won't try to escape constantly. After much research, I decided that an aussie had all of the qualities that I was looking for. I didn't totally decide though until I met the parents of the potential puppy. The adult aussies are what sold me on the breed. They were so athletic, sweet natured and beautiful. 

My guess is that a lot of people get a puppy based on looks or status rather than temperment? 

Who are the human members of the family?

just me, and my extended family

 Not sure about this one but to see how many people are involved in the dogs life? What role they play in training, etc.

Who feeds the dog?

me 

How have you disciplined or corrected the dog in the past?

Disciplined - not really. Corrected, yes. I'd also throw in redirection as an answer.

Where are you going with this one? What kind of answers do you get? 

What is your dog's reaction to men - women - children?

Loves them all, especially kids.

To see where the problem lies? 

Recent changes in the household?

None 

Is the dog spayed/neutered?   If so, at what age.  Notice any behavior change after S/N? 

Yes, 6 months. No change. 

leads to a discussion of behavior problems of non-fixed dogs?

How is the dog exercised?  How does he play (or does he?)

Hikes, fetch, swimming and dog park. He tends to play like a herding breed - chase, body check, redirect, lots of grunting and can get obnoxious to non-herding-chasing type dogs.

How does the dog behave when greeting you on your return, or when you leave the home. 

When I leave home, he gets a kong. So, he doesn't even know I'm leaving. He just knows when I'm making up the kong, if he goes in the crate, he'll get it.

He's always excited when I get home. I should do better with this because I encourage the excitement rather than acting like it's no big deal. 

To see if there are anxiety problems. 

What obedience training has the dog had?  When?  Where?  What skills does he know? 

• Puppy school for socialization
• Beg. obediance
• Intermediate obediance
• Advanced obediance and tricks class
• Intro to agility
  

Who is the dog's primary trainer?

Me

I can see where this is an issue in a large family situation. My brother has problems because there's no consistency among family members with training. 

Does the dog paw at, mount, or nudge people?

He only mounts his stuffed monkey. He goes crazy on that thing. He does nudge my hands for affection. I ignore it when he does it.

All dominant or bratty behavior, correct? 

 Sans logo, here is the shorter version - I usually construct the additional questions if I think the problem warrants.  If you think mine is bad, try Cornell's:

Behavior Questionnaire

What is the main behavior problem or complaint?




Additional problems (please list):

When did you first notice the main problem (age of dog)?



 


 What have you done so far to try to correct the problem?





How do you discipline your dog for this and for other misbehavior?



People/Animals in Household  (Include changes – moving, new additions)




 

Why did you decide to get a dog?


Why did you choose this breed?


Where did you get this dog (circle one):     SPCA     Breeder-newspaper ad/flyer     Breeder - referral     Pet store     Friend     Stray     Other: ____________

Have you owned dogs before? _______yes ________no

If known: how many littermates? males ________ females ________

How many animals to choose from? ________________________
Why did you choose this dog over the others (please be specific):


Was a temperament test performed? ______yes ______no ______unsure
Result:
Describe your dog's behavior as a puppy:

Parental or littermate behavior, if known:


 Has this dog had other owners? ______no ______yes, how many? ____________
Why was the dog given up?________________
At what age was your pet neutered/spayed? ___________________________
Why was this done?


Were there any behavior changes after neutering?

If your pet is "intact" has he/she ever been bred? ________yes ________no

Are you planning to breed? ________yes ________no _________unsure

 
What do you feed your dog? (Please be specific, e.g. brand name)

Who feeds the dog?
Location ______________________

What is your dog's favorite treat?                           Toy?

 
Please describe a typical 24-hour day in your dog's life:







How does the dog behave with familiar visitors?




How does the dog behave with unfamiliar visitors (children or adults)?


How do you exercise your dog?


Is the dog free in a fenced yard?
Is the dog tied outside?

Does the dog ever run free?

How do you play with your dog?

What toys does the dog have?

Is your dog housetrained? _____no _____yes   How was the dog housetrained?



Does your dog ever eliminate in the house? _____no _____yes   urinate _____ defecate _____


Where does your dog sleep at night (please be specific):

Does your dog sleep (more, less, same)? ____________


Where is your dog when alone in the house?


Where is your dog when you have guests?


How does your dog behave while you are leaving the house?


How does your dog behave when you return?

What basic obedience training has your dog had? (Circle one)

    None     Trained at home     Started obedience classes but didn't finish     Graduated obedience class once        Graduated obedience class two or more
 
 Private trainer     Other ___________________

How old was the dog when obedience training started?

Who in the family is the primary trainer?

Does your dog have any awards or titles? (Please describe)

What commands does your dog know?

 Does your dog know any tricks? Please describe:

 
Does your dog jump up on you or others without permission? _____ yes _____no

Does your dog paw at you or at others? _____ yes _____no

Does your dog lick you? _____ yes _____no

Does your dog mount people? _____ yes _____no

If yes, whom does he or she mount?


Does your dog mount other animals or objects? _____ yes _____no Please describe:


Does your dog ever bark at you? _____ no _____yes When? Please describe:

Does your dog bark at other times? Please describe:

What is your dog's activity level in general (Circle one):     

Low     Average     High     Excessive   

Is your dog on any medication now?

Has your dog been on medication in the past?

Date of most recent rabies vaccination: ________________(1 year, 3 year)

Given with other vaccines?

.

·         Skip this section if the dog is not aggressive:
Please answer yes or no to these characteristics of your dog's aggressive behavior:

______attacks are sudden and surprising
______episodes appear unprovoked
______the dog is abruptly docile after an episode
______the dog appears "sorry" afterwards
______the dog appears disoriented afterwards
______episodes are associated with a "glazed" or "absent" expression
______I can usually tell what will set off my dog
______the aggressive behavior is new and uncharacteristic

Has your dog bitten and broken skin? _____yes _____no

Number of bites that broke skin:____________________

Total number of bites (that did or did not break skin):__________________

Total number of episodes of aggression (growling, snapping, biting):______________

Describe typical episode (does dog growl, lunge or bite, and in what circumstance?):


What parts of the body has the dog bitten and how severe were the injuries?


Who is/are the target(s) of aggression?


Did your dog bite as a puppy? _____  yes _____no

If yes, please describe, including age:

How old was your dog the first time he/she growled at a person?

What was the circumstance?



                          

spiritdogs

How many pups were in the litter your dog came from (if you know) and did you meet the parents?

That's actually a good question. I had a flash of insight today on initial conditions, similar to your question. I've noticed a pattern. Along about September, 2 years running, Shadow is skittish about going into Petco a few times during the month. I reasoned out that it might be because that's when they spray for crickets. But why would that bother him? Well, the pet store he was bought at is actually part of two businesses owned by one owner. The business next door is for pest control. So, I had a lightbulb moment that the smell of that spray may be reminiscent of the hell of being plucked from a litter too early and living in a wire cage in that place until sold. To this day, kennels scare the crap out of him, sometimes literally.

It could certainly be important as a clue to early socialization as to the size of a litter and where this dog placed in the group. And of course, the temperment of the parents. Genetics does play a role. As well as how did the breeders interact with the dogs, etc.

spiritdogs

 This is important because there are certain behavior problems noted, for example, with singleton puppies.  Some behaviors are learned behaviors, and transmit from the dam to the puppies - also to rule out any behavioral consequences from genetic disorders.  Sometimes the parents are not available for inspection - in the case of the dam that always puts up a little red flag for me to investigate further.  Some breeders' dogs are known to end up in rescue...

Mmmm interesting 

Ah, hello......the male dog is not included in getting the pup to the time when it can be weaned from the mother, the only thing one could get from meeting the sire is how the animal looks and behaves at the time of the meeting, which in essence means nothing, one can't really judge a dog by looking at it for a few minutes.

The number of pups in essence is really not that important, just how the pups were able to interact with the mother, such as feeding, every day interaction......I think that question is not as important as others.

spiritdogs

What is the most important thing you want to change about your dog's behavior (sometimes what we consider obnoxious isn't what the owner thinks is obnoxious LOL) 

Ok, let take one question at a time, starting with the first question.  I am sure in no time at all, we can get through the 11 pages of questions. 

I am not interested in the dog owners response, I am interested to know what the Behaviorist/Trainer looks to get out of the answer.  What is the perfect answer?  What is the worst answer?  Are the answers categorized so the Behaviorist/Trainer starts to formulate a plan?  How does that come about?  After the reading the first answer, are there biases created toward the dog or toward the owner?  This would be a good start. 

ron2

That's actually a good question. I had a flash of insight today on initial conditions, similar to your question. I've noticed a pattern. Along about September, 2 years running, Shadow is skittish about going into Petco a few times during the month. I reasoned out that it might be because that's when they spray for crickets. But why would that bother him? Well, the pet store he was bought at is actually part of two businesses owned by one owner. The business next door is for pest control. So, I had a lightbulb moment that the smell of that spray may be reminiscent of the hell of being plucked from a litter too early and living in a wire cage in that place until sold. To this day, kennels scare the crap out of him, sometimes literally.

It could certainly be important as a clue to early socialization as to the size of a litter and where this dog placed in the group. And of course, the temperment of the parents. Genetics does play a role. As well as how did the breeders interact with the dogs, etc.

How would you judge the temperament of the parents?

One would have to spend some serious time with the dogs........almost impossible.

Wow, that was certainly one heck of a lightbulb moment.

snownose

How would you judge the temperament of the parents?

In Shadow's case, I couldn't, even in my own amateurish way. And the question did have a qualifer that if it was possible to know, how big was the litter and what were the parents like?

I don't think it's that uncommon for a person buying a dog from a breeder to visit a few times and see the parents as side-effect of being there.

Also, too, the behaviorist may be able to learn several things by what the client describes. Actual behavior, more accurately, what the client happens to notice and why this might be important to them. For example, what if the sire defends the fence when you drive up? Is that something to consider. What if the breeder, for your own safety, doesn't allow interaction with the sire because he doesn't like strangers? And would this be a genetic thing that can be passed on? Yes the mtDNA comes through the mother but nDNA is from both parents. It can't hurt to know as much about initial conditions.

Ron, I can guarantee one thing, when I pulled up to meet Tanner as a tiny puppy, all the German Shepherds, even the females were barking and "Defending " their territory......one can't judge that........simply based on the breed one is getting.....had I pulled up and none of the dogs had given off warning barks and growls, I would have left that place asap..............

Well shoot, I had a big response typed up and lost it. The behavior questionnaire my trainer used was similar to what Anne's asked.

Now, this is still a thread about the content and use of general behavioral questionnaires, not a critique of individual ones, right?

My trainer used the questionnaires to get an idea of the background the dog is coming from. Does the owner attempt to do any training at all? Does the owner yell at or hit the dog? Basically, is the dog being screwed up by its owners, are the owners just not doing anything to affect the dog, or is there maybe something physiological going on to cause the behaviors? How educated are the owners - should the trainer start with basic training, or can he/she assume the owners already understand basic techniques?

While observation is of course the best way to get an understanding of any behaviors, using a questionnaire gives the trainer an idea of what to look for. It's simply unrealistic to expect a trainer to observe a dog at home for hours on end before starting to make suggestions for improvement - an extensive questionnaire plus a brief period of observation serve as a good compromise.