About the Dog Behavior Survey
The Dog Behavior Survey is a modified version of the Canine
Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), a
standardized behavioral evaluation tool that was developed and validated
by Yuying Hsu and James Serpell in 2003. This survey collects data on
behavioral traits such as excitability, aggression, fear, affection, and
trainability.
Hsu, Y., & Serpell, J. A. (2003). Development
and validation of a questionnaire for measuring behavior and temperament
traits in pet dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association, 223(9), 1293-1300.
Survey Instrument:
HLES
Behavior
Table of Contents
Excitability
Aggression
Fear and Anxiety
Separation-Related
Behaviors
Attachment and
Attention-Seeking
Training Difficulty
Miscellaneous Behaviors
Excitability
| Tendency to become excitable (0 = calm, 4 = extremely excitable) | |
| Sample size: 47,444 | Count (%) |
|---|---|
| Just before being taken for a walk [db_excitement_level_before_walk] | |
| Calm: little or no special reaction 0 | 2,839 (6%) |
| 1 | 5,016 (11%) |
| Mild to moderate excitability 2 | 19,250 (41%) |
| 3 | 14,256 (30%) |
| Extremely excitable: overreacts, hard to calm down 4 | 5,944 (13%) |
| Did not answer | 139 (<1%) |
| Just before being taken for a car ride [db_excitement_level_before_car_ride] | |
| Calm: little or no special reaction 0 | 4,324 (9%) |
| 1 | 7,315 (15%) |
| Mild to moderate excitability 2 | 17,708 (37%) |
| 3 | 12,396 (26%) |
| Extremely excitable: overreacts, hard to calm down 4 | 5,570 (12%) |
| Did not answer | 131 (<1%) |
Aggression
| Aggressive displays (0 = no aggression, 4 = serious aggression) | |
| Sample size: 47,444 | Count (%) |
|---|---|
| When approached by a stranger while on leash [db_aggression_level_on_leash_unknown_human] | |
| No aggression: no visible signs of aggression 0 | 32,787 (69%) |
| 1 | 9,250 (19%) |
| Moderate aggression: growling/barking, baring teeth 2 | 3,987 (8%) |
| 3 | 881 (2%) |
| Serious aggression: snaps, bites or attempts to bite 4 | 299 (1%) |
| Did not answer | 240 (1%) |
| When toys/objects are taken away by a household member [db_aggression_level_toys_taken_away] | |
| No aggression: no visible signs of aggression 0 | 40,308 (85%) |
| 1 | 5,082 (11%) |
| Moderate aggression: growling/barking, baring teeth 2 | 1,388 (3%) |
| 3 | 316 (1%) |
| Serious aggression: snaps, bites or attempts to bite 4 | 182 (<1%) |
| Did not answer | 168 (<1%) |
| When approached by a household member while eating [db_aggression_level_approached_while_eating] | |
| No aggression: no visible signs of aggression 0 | 44,256 (93%) |
| 1 | 2,212 (5%) |
| Moderate aggression: growling/barking, baring teeth 2 | 529 (1%) |
| 3 | 152 (<1%) |
| Serious aggression: snaps, bites or attempts to bite 4 | 77 (<1%) |
| Did not answer | 218 (<1%) |
| When letter carriers or delivery workers approach the home [db_aggression_level_delivery_workers_at_home] | |
| No aggression: no visible signs of aggression 0 | 18,187 (38%) |
| 1 | 15,015 (32%) |
| Moderate aggression: growling/barking, baring teeth 2 | 11,195 (24%) |
| 3 | 2,038 (4%) |
| Serious aggression: snaps, bites or attempts to bite 4 | 765 (2%) |
| Did not answer | 244 (1%) |
| When food is taken away by a family member [db_aggression_level_food_taken_away] | |
| No aggression: no visible signs of aggression 0 | 43,143 (91%) |
| 1 | 2,781 (6%) |
| Moderate aggression: growling/barking, baring teeth 2 | 663 (1%) |
| 3 | 244 (1%) |
| Serious aggression: snaps, bites or attempts to bite 4 | 169 (<1%) |
| Did not answer | 444 (1%) |
| When approached by an unfamiliar dog while on leash [db_aggression_level_on_leash_unknown_dog] | |
| No aggression: no visible signs of aggression 0 | 18,807 (40%) |
| 1 | 15,031 (32%) |
| Moderate aggression: growling/barking, baring teeth 2 | 8,444 (18%) |
| 3 | 3,293 (7%) |
| Serious aggression: snaps, bites or attempts to bite 4 | 1,482 (3%) |
| Did not answer | 387 (1%) |
| When strangers walk past the home and the dog is outside [db_aggression_level_unknown_human_near_yard] | |
| No aggression: no visible signs of aggression 0 | 17,535 (37%) |
| 1 | 16,853 (36%) |
| Moderate aggression: growling/barking, baring teeth 2 | 10,259 (22%) |
| 3 | 1,931 (4%) |
| Serious aggression: snaps, bites or attempts to bite 4 | 469 (1%) |
| Did not answer | 397 (1%) |
| When barked, growled, or lunged at by an unfamiliar dog [db_aggression_level_unknown_aggressive_dog] | |
| No aggression: no visible signs of aggression 0 | 12,136 (26%) |
| 1 | 12,203 (26%) |
| Moderate aggression: growling/barking, baring teeth 2 | 12,500 (26%) |
| 3 | 5,970 (13%) |
| Serious aggression: snaps, bites or attempts to bite 4 | 3,710 (8%) |
| Did not answer | 925 (2%) |
| When approached while eating by a household dog* [db_aggression_level_familiar_dog_while_eating] | |
| No aggression: no visible signs of aggression 0 | 19,453 (41%) |
| 1 | 5,574 (12%) |
| Moderate aggression: growling/barking, baring teeth 2 | 2,962 (6%) |
| 3 | 865 (2%) |
| Serious aggression: snaps, bites or attempts to bite 4 | 795 (2%) |
| Did not answer | 17,795 (38%) |
| When approached while playing by a household dog* [db_aggression_level_familiar_dog_while_playing] | |
| No aggression: no visible signs of aggression 0 | 19,516 (41%) |
| 1 | 7,529 (16%) |
| Moderate aggression: growling/barking, baring teeth 2 | 2,933 (6%) |
| 3 | 715 (2%) |
| Serious aggression: snaps, bites or attempts to bite 4 | 501 (1%) |
| Did not answer | 16,250 (34%) |
| *Owners were instructed to leave question blank if they had never observed the situation (i.e. a single dog household) | |
Fear and Anxiety
| Displays signs of fear or anxiety (0 = no fear, 4 = extreme fear) | |
| Sample size: 47,444 | Count (%) |
|---|---|
| When approached by a stranger away from home [db_fear_level_unknown_human_away_from_home] | |
| No fear/anxiety: no visible signs of fear 0 | 28,416 (60%) |
| 1 | 9,748 (21%) |
| Mild to moderate fear/anxiety 2 | 6,445 (14%) |
| 3 | 1,695 (4%) |
| Extreme fear: cowers; retreats or hides, etc. 4 | 751 (2%) |
| Did not answer | 389 (1%) |
| In response to sudden or loud noises [db_fear_level_loud_noises] | |
| No fear/anxiety: no visible signs of fear 0 | 13,406 (28%) |
| 1 | 13,517 (28%) |
| Mild to moderate fear/anxiety 2 | 10,674 (22%) |
| 3 | 5,113 (11%) |
| Extreme fear: cowers; retreats or hides, etc. 4 | 4,528 (10%) |
| Did not answer | 206 (<1%) |
| When a stranger tries to touch the dog [db_fear_level_unknown_human_touch] | |
| No fear/anxiety: no visible signs of fear 0 | 27,975 (59%) |
| 1 | 10,949 (23%) |
| Mild to moderate fear/anxiety 2 | 5,307 (11%) |
| 3 | 1,922 (4%) |
| Extreme fear: cowers; retreats or hides, etc. 4 | 1,022 (2%) |
| Did not answer | 269 (1%) |
| In response to unfamiliar objects near the sidewalk [db_fear_level_unknown_objects_outside] | |
| No fear/anxiety: no visible signs of fear 0 | 27,395 (58%) |
| 1 | 13,154 (28%) |
| Mild to moderate fear/anxiety 2 | 5,104 (11%) |
| 3 | 1,159 (2%) |
| Extreme fear: cowers; retreats or hides, etc. 4 | 318 (1%) |
| Did not answer | 314 (1%) |
| When approached directly by an unfamiliar dog [db_fear_level_unknown_dogs] | |
| No fear/anxiety: no visible signs of fear 0 | 19,257 (41%) |
| 1 | 15,036 (32%) |
| Mild to moderate fear/anxiety 2 | 8,678 (18%) |
| 3 | 2,815 (6%) |
| Extreme fear: cowers; retreats or hides, etc. 4 | 1,177 (2%) |
| Did not answer | 481 (1%) |
| When first exposed to unfamiliar situations [db_fear_level_unknown_situations] | |
| No fear/anxiety: no visible signs of fear 0 | 17,012 (36%) |
| 1 | 16,148 (34%) |
| Mild to moderate fear/anxiety 2 | 9,672 (20%) |
| 3 | 2,991 (6%) |
| Extreme fear: cowers; retreats or hides, etc. 4 | 1,278 (3%) |
| Did not answer | 343 (1%) |
| When barked, growled, or lunged at by an unfamiliar dog [db_fear_level_unknown_aggressive_dog] | |
| No fear/anxiety: no visible signs of fear 0 | 11,057 (23%) |
| 1 | 14,126 (30%) |
| Mild to moderate fear/anxiety 2 | 13,027 (27%) |
| 3 | 5,316 (11%) |
| Extreme fear: cowers; retreats or hides, etc. 4 | 2,898 (6%) |
| Did not answer | 1,020 (2%) |
| When having nails clipped by a household member [db_fear_level_nails_clipped_at_home] | |
| No fear/anxiety: no visible signs of fear 0 | 16,183 (34%) |
| 1 | 11,962 (25%) |
| Mild to moderate fear/anxiety 2 | 8,822 (19%) |
| 3 | 4,147 (9%) |
| Extreme fear: cowers; retreats or hides, etc. 4 | 3,780 (8%) |
| Did not answer | 2,550 (5%) |
| When groomed or bathed by a household member [db_fear_level_bathed_at_home] | |
| No fear/anxiety: no visible signs of fear 0 | 22,378 (47%) |
| 1 | 13,630 (29%) |
| Mild to moderate fear/anxiety 2 | 7,112 (15%) |
| 3 | 2,316 (5%) |
| Extreme fear: cowers; retreats or hides, etc. 4 | 1,230 (3%) |
| Did not answer | 778 (2%) |
Separation-Related Behaviors
| Displays signs of separation anxiety | |
| Sample size: 47,444 | Count (%) |
|---|---|
| Restlessness, agitation, and/or pacing [db_left_alone_restlessness_frequency] | |
| Never | 28,091 (59%) |
| Seldom | 10,066 (21%) |
| Sometimes | 5,011 (11%) |
| Usually | 2,302 (5%) |
| Always | 1,359 (3%) |
| Did not answer | 615 (1%) |
| Barking or whining [db_left_alone_barking_frequency] | |
| Never | 22,553 (48%) |
| Seldom | 11,365 (24%) |
| Sometimes | 8,192 (17%) |
| Usually | 3,370 (7%) |
| Always | 1,764 (4%) |
| Did not answer | 200 (<1%) |
| Chewing, scratching at doors, floor, windows, etc. [db_left_alone_scratching_frequency] | |
| Never | 37,320 (79%) |
| Seldom | 5,801 (12%) |
| Sometimes | 2,882 (6%) |
| Usually | 785 (2%) |
| Always | 482 (1%) |
| Did not answer | 174 (<1%) |
Attachment and Attention-Seeking
| Displays signs of attachment or attention-seeking | |
| Sample size: 47,444 | Count (%) |
|---|---|
| Tends to follow owner around the house [db_attention_seeking_follows_humans_frequency] | |
| Never | 941 (2%) |
| Seldom | 3,844 (8%) |
| Sometimes | 11,635 (25%) |
| Usually | 18,421 (39%) |
| Always | 12,515 (26%) |
| Did not answer | 88 (<1%) |
| Tends to sit close to owner when possible [db_attention_seeking_sits_close_to_humans_frequency] | |
| Never | 674 (1%) |
| Seldom | 3,507 (7%) |
| Sometimes | 12,587 (27%) |
| Usually | 19,625 (41%) |
| Always | 11,006 (23%) |
| Did not answer | 45 (<1%) |
Training Difficulty
| Trainability and obedience | |
| Sample size: 47,444 | Count (%) |
|---|---|
| Obeys a 'sit' command immediately [db_training_obeys_sit_command_frequency] | |
| Never | 1,392 (3%) |
| Seldom | 1,537 (3%) |
| Sometimes | 6,005 (13%) |
| Usually | 25,376 (53%) |
| Always | 12,960 (27%) |
| Did not answer | 174 (<1%) |
| Obeys a 'stay' command immediately [db_training_obeys_stay_command_frequency] | |
| Never | 2,850 (6%) |
| Seldom | 5,208 (11%) |
| Sometimes | 13,290 (28%) |
| Usually | 19,609 (41%) |
| Always | 5,996 (13%) |
| Did not answer | 491 (1%) |
| Easily distracted by interesting sights, sounds or smells [db_training_distraction_frequency] | |
| Never | 949 (2%) |
| Seldom | 8,286 (17%) |
| Sometimes | 20,147 (42%) |
| Usually | 12,660 (27%) |
| Always | 5,318 (11%) |
| Did not answer | 84 (<1%) |
Miscellaneous Behaviors
| Tendency toward the following behaviors | |
| Sample size: 47,444 | Count (%) |
|---|---|
| Chases birds, given the chance [db_chases_birds_frequency] | |
| Never | 9,497 (20%) |
| Seldom | 9,278 (20%) |
| Sometimes | 10,804 (23%) |
| Usually | 9,703 (20%) |
| Always | 7,922 (17%) |
| Did not answer | 240 (1%) |
| Chases squirrels, rabbits, etc., given the chance [db_chases_squirrels_frequency] | |
| Never | 4,150 (9%) |
| Seldom | 4,763 (10%) |
| Sometimes | 7,776 (16%) |
| Usually | 12,093 (25%) |
| Always | 18,237 (38%) |
| Did not answer | 425 (1%) |
| Escapes from home or yard, given the chance [db_escapes_home_or_property_frequency] | |
| Never | 18,747 (40%) |
| Seldom | 14,395 (30%) |
| Sometimes | 7,303 (15%) |
| Usually | 3,902 (8%) |
| Always | 2,674 (6%) |
| Did not answer | 423 (1%) |
| Chews inappropriate objects [db_chews_inappropriate_objects_frequency] | |
| Never | 25,198 (53%) |
| Seldom | 13,532 (29%) |
| Sometimes | 6,221 (13%) |
| Usually | 1,552 (3%) |
| Always | 732 (2%) |
| Did not answer | 209 (<1%) |
| Pulls excessively hard when on the leash [db_pulls_leash_frequency] | |
| Never | 10,443 (22%) |
| Seldom | 15,051 (32%) |
| Sometimes | 14,465 (30%) |
| Usually | 5,114 (11%) |
| Always | 2,024 (4%) |
| Did not answer | 347 (1%) |
| Urinates against objects in the home [db_urinates_in_home_frequency] | |
| Never | 42,419 (89%) |
| Seldom | 3,090 (7%) |
| Sometimes | 1,334 (3%) |
| Usually | 285 (1%) |
| Always | 143 (<1%) |
| Did not answer | 173 (<1%) |
| Defecates when left alone [db_defecates_alone_frequency] | |
| Never | 40,655 (86%) |
| Seldom | 4,347 (9%) |
| Sometimes | 1,568 (3%) |
| Usually | 371 (1%) |
| Always | 145 (<1%) |
| Did not answer | 358 (1%) |
| Hyperactive, restless, has trouble settling down [db_hyperactive_frequency] | |
| Never | 27,027 (57%) |
| Seldom | 13,081 (28%) |
| Sometimes | 5,903 (12%) |
| Usually | 954 (2%) |
| Always | 253 (1%) |
| Did not answer | 226 (<1%) |
| Playful, puppyish, boisterous [db_playful_frequency] | |
| Never | 4,567 (10%) |
| Seldom | 7,930 (17%) |
| Sometimes | 20,232 (43%) |
| Usually | 11,048 (23%) |
| Always | 3,556 (7%) |
| Did not answer | 111 (<1%) |
| Active, energetic, always on the go [db_energetic_frequency] | |
| Never | 5,029 (11%) |
| Seldom | 11,616 (24%) |
| Sometimes | 16,963 (36%) |
| Usually | 10,128 (21%) |
| Always | 3,311 (7%) |
| Did not answer | 397 (1%) |
| Chases own tail [db_chases_tail_frequency] | |
| Never | 35,565 (75%) |
| Seldom | 6,291 (13%) |
| Sometimes | 4,054 (9%) |
| Usually | 878 (2%) |
| Always | 322 (1%) |
| Did not answer | 334 (1%) |
| Barks persistently when alarmed or excited [db_barks_frequency] | |
| Never | 12,361 (26%) |
| Seldom | 12,765 (27%) |
| Sometimes | 11,515 (24%) |
| Usually | 7,340 (15%) |
| Always | 3,364 (7%) |
| Did not answer | 99 (<1%) |