08/17/2025
‼️Attention, dog lovers!‼️
Do you know what a "Consent Test" is?
If you've ever wished you could ask dog what they're really thinking, you need this simple tool in your arsenal of dog skills.
A Consent Test isn't so much a test as a communication skill. It's a way of pausing and listening, so you can hear what the dog in front of you is "saying."
You'll want to use a Consent Test whenever petting a dog, or during rough-housing or more physical forms of play.
In particular, make sure to use a Consent Test when you are not too familiar with this dog, or if they are shy.
Make extra sure to use this quick trick any time you interact with a dog who seem to have a short fuse. For example, if the dog displays a tendency to suddenly lose their patience and issue a snap or growl when you don't expect it, always take the time to perform a Consent Test.
Read on to learn how.
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Here's how to perform a Consent Test:
🧡 1. Sit on the floor, couch, or anywhere else you'd usually consider a good place to settle down and interact with this dog. Start by petting or playing with them as you normally would.
💚 2. After no more than 15 seconds to start with, stop what you are doing. For example, if you were petting the dog, remove your hand from them and place it in your lap or rest it next to you.
💜 3. Be still, calm, and neutral, and say nothing. Watch the dog. How do you see them respond to this pause?
💛 4. From here, you will proceed based on the dog's behavioral response:
🐾 Path One: If the dog does nothing, or moves or looks away, do NOT re-engage the play or petting.
Wait for around 30-45 seconds to see if they are just needing time to make up their mind. If they provide no indications that they want more of your attention, this dog is indifferent at best. Stop the activity completely for now.
🐾 Path 2: On the other hand if the dog:
🟢 Moves eagerly towards you or your hand,
🟢 Paws or nudges your hand,
🟢 Picks up and tries to present you with a toy you were using,
🟢 Stares pleadingly at you, perhaps with a whine or cry like they're saying, "Why'd you stop?",
🟢 Or provides some other clear and obvious indication that they'd like to do more,
Congratulations! You have your dog's enthusiastic consent. Pet or play away!
Best practice is to perform a Consent Test with any dog you are interacting with at least every couple of minutes - even if you know them well. Like us, dogs have preferences that change with their current mood, and they'll appreciate little breaks to think about what they want right now.
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Fun fact: This type of pause to check in is actually a natural behavior in canines! If you watch carefully, you may see it especially during dog-on-dog play. It's how dogs make sure that they continue to have everyone's buy-in when engaging in exuberant play, or tumbling around in a wrestling match. Without a verbal language to pre-negotiate terms and comfort levels, these exciting, high-energy interactions can easily boil over into conflict.
But dogs are masters of non-verbal communication, and know just how to prevent and diffuse tension. They use periodic mutual pauses to check on their friends. It's like they're saying, "You still good, buddy? Cool, let's play!"
Let your dog know that you can be a respectful playmate, too. Show how well you can listen by making periodic pauses a regular part of your day-to-day cuddle or play time with the pup in your life. Once you have mastered the art of the non-verbal check-in, there will be virtually no dog you cannot befriend.
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How does your dog tell you when they like or dislike something? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
