Training, Skills, and Equipment for SAFER Assessment

The SAFER® Assessment requires that the assessment teams performing canine assessments possess certain dog-savvy skills. These skills are necessary for the safety of dogs and humans and for reliably predictive assessments of future aggression. 

Requirements for Assessment Teams

A SAFER assessment team consists of one assessor, who performs the assessment items with the dog, and one observer who observes, records notes, and assists the assessor (among other tasks). Learn more about the role of the observer. These individuals need to have the following skills:

• Ability to Objectively Observe Canine Behavior: Objective observation is vital for accurate assessments. The team should be skilled at objective observation as opposed to subjective interpretation. Phrases such as "loose body, mouth open, huffing" are useful and objective ways to discuss and observe behavior while subjective phrases such as "he liked that" are not useful for assessment.
• Knowledge of Canine Communication: The team will be working with a variety of dogs. In many cases, the team does not have information about a particular dog's past behavior. Both the assessor and the observer must be well versed in canine behavior and communication to keep safe, and to be sure the dog is assessed accurately and humanely.
• Training in Safe and Humane Dog Handling: The SAFER workshops, guide, and DVD focus on handling the dog during the actual assessment. The assessment team should also be trained in how to handle dogs safely and humanely before attempting aggression assessments. Assessors have many interactions with the dog before the assessment begins — removing the dog from his kennel, walking him, etc. — that can affect the outcome of the assessment. For example, if a dog is handled in a rough or startling manner by an assessor in the kennel run, the dog's behavior during assessment is less likely to be predictive of his future behavior.
• Good Physical Health: SAFER assessment items require bending, kneeling, quick movement, and fast reflexes for assessments to be carried out safely and accurately. The assessment cannot be changed to accommodate physical challenges or disabilities. If assessment items are not performed as designed, they are not valid for predicting future aggression.

Consistency Among Assessments

It is important that both members of the assessment team learn to remain objective and to accurately report the behavior they observe during the assessment. Dogs should respond the same way when an assessment is repeated even if a different trained assessor conducts the second assessment or if the second assessment occurs in a different environment (such as after a transfer to another shelter).

The learning experience of participating in a workshop or working through the SAFER guide and the 60-minute instructional DVD can assist in skill development for conducting assessments and scoring. In addition, obtaining SAFER certification ensures that you are conducting and scoring assessment items correctly. This in turn helps ensure that you are using SAFER scores appropriately to make sound decisions about the dogs you assess.

Print out these body posture posters (.pdf) and hang them in your assessment room to help boost consistency among assessors. Some shelters have enlarged and laminated the posters.

Equipment and Assessment Space

The equipment and facility space required for SAFER are not substantial or very expensive. However, they are required for valid and safe assessments. Download this list of equipment and facility requirements (.pdf).

Learn More

The following brief video provides more information about the SAFER skill set and what is needed to set up and maintain an assessment room.