Rate My Dog Aggression:
Free 8-Question Assessment

Answer 8 questions about your dog's behavior. Get an instant severity score (Level A, B, or C) and a personalized recommendation for the right type of specialist. No email required to see your results.

✓ Developed with CPDT-KA input Takes ~2 minutes Free, no registration

How the Quiz Works

Answer 8 Questions

Covering bite history, growling, triggers, resource guarding, and reactivity.

Get Your Score

Receive a Level A, B, or C severity rating with a detailed explanation of what it means.

Get Matched

Optional: enter your zip code and email to get matched with a certified specialist near you.

Question 1 of 8

Has your dog ever bitten a person or another animal, breaking the skin?

No — never bitten anyone or any animal

Snapped but never made contact (air snap)

Bitten once — minor, no medical treatment needed

Bitten multiple times, or caused injuries requiring medical care

How often does your dog growl or snarl at people (family, strangers, or both)?

Rarely or never — only in extreme provocation

Occasionally at strangers — but not at family members

Frequently at strangers, sometimes at familiar people

Regularly growls at family members — unpredictable and scary

Does your dog guard resources (food bowl, toys, furniture, sleeping spots) by stiffening, growling, or snapping?

No — completely relaxed when approached near food, toys, or space

Mild stiffening or "whale eye" around high-value items, but no vocalization

Growls or snaps when approached near food or toys

Aggressively defends multiple items — has bitten or lunged to protect resources

How does your dog behave when it sees another dog or person while on leash?

Calm — looks and moves on without issue

Pulls and stares intently, but no barking or lunging

Barks, lunges, or spins — hard to manage on leash

Explosive, uncontrollable reactions — dangerous to walk in public

How does your dog react when unfamiliar people enter your home or approach you in public?

Friendly or neutral — greets people without fear or aggression

Shy or retreating — hides or avoids, but no aggression

Barks aggressively at strangers, requires management (crate, another room)

Has charged, jumped at, or bitten strangers who enter home or approach

How does your dog behave around other dogs (in person, not on leash)?

Plays well with most dogs — no concerning incidents

Selective — does well with known dogs but nervous with new ones

Does not get along with most dogs — has had altercations

Has badly injured another dog — cannot be around other dogs safely

Before your dog becomes aggressive, does it give clear warning signals (growling, stiffening, showing teeth)?

Yes — always gives clear, readable warnings before reacting

Usually, but the window between warning and reaction is very short

Sometimes — the reaction seems to come out of nowhere at times

Rarely or never — bites or attacks without any visible warning

How long has your dog been showing aggressive behavior?

Recently started (less than 3 months) — seems to be getting worse

3–12 months — some improvement with management, but still a problem

Over 1 year — this has been an ongoing pattern

My dog has always been like this — lifelong pattern

Your Assessment Results

Low Severity High Severity

Level A — Reactive Level B — Moderate Level C — Severe

Understanding Your Dog's Aggression Level

What Happens After the Quiz

Enter your zip code and email to get matched with certified specialists in your area who have experience with your dog's specific level of aggression. Free, no obligation.

See Training Costs →

Understanding Dog Aggression Severity Levels

Our three-level classification system is based on applied animal behavior research, including the work of Dr. Ian Dunbar's bite assessment scale and IAABC behavior consultant standards.

Level A

Reactive / Low Severity

Leash reactivity, mild fear responses, barking at strangers, occasional growling at specific triggers. No bite history. Most cases at this level respond well to a CPDT-KA certified trainer using force-free methods. Typical program: 6–8 sessions over 8–12 weeks.

Recommended specialist: CPDT-KA certified trainer with reactivity experience · Typical cost: $100–$200/session

Level B

Moderate Aggression

Snapping, growling at family members, inter-dog altercations, resource guarding with escalation. May include a single bite incident that did not require medical care. Requires an IAABC certified behavior consultant or higher. Board-and-train may be appropriate for some cases.

Recommended specialist: IAABC Certified Canine Behavior Consultant · Typical cost: $150–$300/session

Level C

Severe Aggression

Documented bite history with injury, attacks without warning, severe dog-to-dog fights. May require veterinary evaluation to rule out medical causes (pain, thyroid, neurological). This level requires an IAABC-CCS, CAAB, or veterinary behaviorist (DACVB). Medication is commonly part of the treatment plan.

Recommended specialist: IAABC-CCS, CAAB, or DACVB · Typical cost: $200–$600/session

Note: This quiz is an educational tool, not a clinical diagnosis. The results do not replace a professional behavioral assessment. If your dog has a documented bite history, consult a certified specialist before attempting any behavior modification on your own.

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Rate My Dog Aggression:Free 8-Question Assessment