The Social Compatibility
Test
FAST's official guidelines for temperament testing the American Staffordshire
Terrier
Rules for entry: Dogs must be one year old by test day. Dogs do not
have to be registered to take this test.
The SCT is designed to test the AST in real-life situations and its
reaction to everyday occurrences, indoors and out. There are 10 test parts,
each of which is scored from 0 to 10. The overall test itself is pass/fail.
Dogs scoring zero in any of the 10 parts will fail the test. Handlers may
encourage their dogs verbally throughout the test, but may
not give obedience commands except during the obedience part. At no
time should the dog show aggression towards its handler or the test helpers
or any other human in the vicinity.
In each test, a friendly, outgoing, stable dog will achieve the highest
score, although neutrality, submission, or avoidance followed by recovery
are acceptable and are scored according to the extent of the behavior.
Part 1 Reaction to unusual and narrow passage, consisting of
plastic trash bogs placed at dog's eye level.
Part 2 Reaction to a friendly, noisy group, who pet and praise
the dog.
Part 3 Response to handling by a friendly stranger, who inspects
it like a vet might, lifting paws, examining mouth, brushing.
Part 4 Response to loud noise, consisting of metal frying pan
being banged about 15 feet away.
Part 5 Response to moving people, consisting of approaching
joggers, who pass the dog and handler a few feet away.
Part 6 Response to milling, friendly strangers. The above "joggers"
surround the dog, speak first to the handler then the dog and pet
it one by one and then all together.
Part 7 Response to unusual surface, consisting of boards laid
on plastic tarp. The dog may be coaxed over the surface, but it must
eventually walk on the surface.
Part 8 Umbrella test. An umbrella is opened about 5 feet from
the dog.
Part 9 Response to being left with stranger, out of sight of
handler. The dog is left with a friendly stranger while handler goes
out of sight for 2 minutes. The dog is evaluated on its stress level
when separated from its handler as well as its acceptance of a friendly
stranger. Some vocalizing is acceptable, as is neutrality towards
the stranger.
Part 10 Elementary obedience/neutral dog. The dog walks on a
loose leash in a simple pattern with a few turns. A neutral dog is
stationed 10 paces away. At the end of the pattern, the dog must "down"
for one minute. The handler may remain beside the dog or go 10 paces
in front of it. The dog is evaluated on its control in the presence
of another dog, its respect for its handler, and basic manners. It is not
scored on precision. The dog should not show excessive aggression towards
the neutral dog.
 Evaluation
Version
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