You love your dog, but a quiet worry lingers: would they actually protect you if a scary moment happened? Instead of guessing, get real answers. This behaviorist-designed at-home quiz safely scores your dog’s alerting, deterrence, and engagement skills in under 20 minutes. It’s breed-neutral, inspired by validated tools like the C-BARQ ^(1), and gives you an instant risk profile with trainer-backed next steps to improve reliability. For quick links to other key assessments, visit dogsquiz.com to explore our dog behavior quizzes.

Start the 3-scenario protection readiness quiz now (safe, breed-neutral, 15–20 minutes)

Safety Pledge: This is a behavioral observation, not a fight. General animal safety is the top priority: keep everyone safe, no off-leash contact with the “intruder,” no pain or fear, and stop immediately if your dog shows high stress.

Materials & Setup

Item	Why it’s needed	Alternatives
Flat collar/harness + 1.8–2.4 m leash	To maintain control and prevent contact.	A second baby gate for extra security.
High-value treats	To test if the dog can take food under stress.	Chicken, cheese, or commercial training treats.
Quiet hallway/front door	A controlled environment with minimal distractions.	A back door or quiet room with one entrance.
Solid baby gate or crate (closed)	A non-negotiable barrier for your dog and helper.	A closed door with a window for observation.
Phone timer	To keep simulations brief and consistent.	A watch or kitchen timer.
Calm helper (outside the barrier)	To simulate a stranger without direct interaction.	A neighbor or friend your dog doesn’t see daily.

Before you start:

1. Secure all exits. The barrier must prevent your dog from making physical contact with the helper.
2. Recruit a calm adult helper who your dog does not see every day.
3. If your dog has any bite risk history, keep them on a leash. If a past bite broke skin, skip all simulations and book a certified behavior professional.
4. Set a 2-minute cap for each simulation. End early if your dog becomes overly stressed.
5. Open dogsquiz.com in a new tab to log scores and explore related quizzes.

How scoring works (alerting, deterrence, engagement)

This quiz measures your dog’s behavior in the moment. It is not a guarantee of real-world outcomes and is not guard dog training. Below is the detailed scoring criteria for each rating.

Scoring Matrix (0–4 scale per category, 12 points max)

Category	Description	Scoring Guide (0-4)
Alerting (S1)	Notices a new sound, orients, and alerts appropriately.	0=Absent/Panicked: No reaction or hides. 1=Weak: Delayed reaction, uncertain glance. 2=Moderate: Orients to sound, may give a low woof, but is easily distracted. 3=Good: Orients quickly, gives a clear alert bark, then looks to you. 4=Strong & Stable: Instant orientation, confident bark, focuses on the source, then immediately checks in with you.
Deterrence (S2)	Uses confident posture and vocals behind a barrier.	0=Avoidant/Frantic: Hides, whines, or lunges frantically at the barrier. 1=Inconsistent: Barks but then retreats; posture is fearful (tucked tail). 2=Needs Support: Barks toward the helper but needs your vocal encouragement to continue. 3. Good: Stands ground with a forward body posture and gives a short burst of barks. 4. Confident: Holds position with a confident stance, barks steadily without frantic movement, and stops when the trigger leaves.
Engagement (S3)	Checks in with you, responds to cues, and recovers.	0=Frozen/No Focus: Ignores you completely, is frozen in place, or scans frantically. 1=Delayed: Obeys a cue after a long pause (>5 sec) or multiple attempts. 2=Moderate: Obeys one simple cue but cannot perform a second; takes food hesitantly. 3=Good: Obeys a known cue on the first try; takes a treat. 4=Quick & Reliable: Orients to you immediately, follows a cue quickly, and takes a treat easily.

Simulation 1 – Stranger at the Door (Alerting)

• Goal: See if the dog notices a novel sound, alerts you, and recovers calmly. This mirrors stranger-response tasks in tools like the C-BARQ ^(1).
• Setup: Dog is indoors with you. Your helper is outside the front door. The barrier is in place, and your dog’s leash is on if needed.

Run the test:

1. Ask your helper to knock firmly 3 times, pause for 5 seconds, then ring the doorbell once.
2. In a relaxed tone, say, “Thanks, one moment,” then signal your helper to leave.
3. Mark any alert behavior: an ear perk, head turn, moving toward the door, a single woof, or a low growl.
4. Cue “Watch me” or “Sit” once. Give a treat if the dog complies or even tries.
5. End the test when the helper has left and your dog settles, or after 2 minutes.

If no helper is available: Use your phone to play a recording of a doorbell or knock. Use a standard, traditional chime or buzzer sound found on a free audio website. Avoid novelty sounds like animal noises, which can confuse the test.

Score it:

1. Rate Alerting (0–4) using the matrix. Note if the dog was able to refocus on you within 30 seconds.
2. Record body language: tail position (up, neutral, or tucked?), vocalization type, and breathing rate.
3. Note: “Recovered in [X] sec with/without a treat.”

Safety reminder: Do not open the door or move the barrier. Do not let your helper repeatedly ring the bell.

Log S1 results on dogsquiz.com.

Simulation 2 – Barrier Intrusion Cue (Deterrence)

• Goal: Observe confident, non-contact deterrence from behind a secure barrier.
• Setup: Dog is behind a baby gate or in a closed crate. Your helper steps into view 2–3 meters away but never within touching distance.

Run the test:

1. Ask your helper to walk slowly past the barrier, pause for 5 seconds while facing 45° away from your dog (no direct eye contact).
2. Have the helper say in a neutral tone, “Hello there,” then step back out of sight and leave.
3. Watch for confident deterrence: a forward stance, upright tail (not tucked), a single or short burst of barks, followed by self-calming.
4. Cue “Watch me” or “Down” once. Reward any effort to comply.
5. End at 2 minutes max, or sooner if your dog escalates or shuts down.

Score it:

1. Rate Deterrence (0–4). Confident posture and brief barking score higher than frantic lunging or hiding.
2. Record whether the dog could take food and follow a simple cue.
3. Note the recovery time to a neutral state.

Safety reminder: The helper must always stay out of reach. Stop if growling escalates to smashing into the barrier or repeated, frantic lunging.

Compare your deterrence score with other owners on dogsquiz.com.

Simulation 3 – Handler-in-Distress Call (Engagement)

• Goal: Check if your dog orients to you and stays workable when you sound “in trouble.” This tests handler engagement under pressure [1, 3].
• Setup: Dog is on leash in the living room with you. No helper is needed.

Run the test:

1. In a clear, slightly stressed voice, say, “Help me.” Then, sit on the floor or couch and tap your shoulder or leg twice.
2. Pause for 5 seconds. Softly say your dog’s name once.
3. Give one cue at a time, 3–5 seconds apart: “Come,” “Watch me,” “Sit.”
4. Reward any orientation toward you or attempt to follow a cue. Do not repeat cues.
5. End after 1 minute or once the dog complies and settles.

Score it:

1. Rate Engagement (0–4). A quick turn toward you and cue response scores higher than freezing or frantic scanning.
2. Note the latency to orient (in seconds) and which cue (if any) the dog succeeded with.
3. Record recovery (neutral breathing and posture) within 30 seconds: yes/no.

Enter S3 score on dogsquiz.com for your instant profile.

Tally scores and get your instant risk profile

Total & Profile

Score	Profile	What it means
10–12	Green / Low Risk	Good handler engagement; likely to respond appropriately under mild stress.
7–9	Amber / Moderate Risk	Workable but needs structured training and safety management.
4–6	Red / High Risk	Low reliability; prioritize safety management and professional help now.
0–3	Grey / Uncertain	Re-test on a calmer day or consider a professional assessment. Behavior is too inhibited or panicked to read.

Practical Risk Snapshot

A formal risk assessment analyzes multiple factors ^(2). Here is a simplified version based on your quiz results:

1. Likelihood: Your total score band (Green = low, Amber = moderate, Red/Grey = high/unknown) estimates the likelihood of a non-response.
2. Severity: This increases if you observed high arousal signs (like frantic lunging or the inability to take food) paired with a long recovery time (over 60 seconds after the trigger is gone).
3. Mitigators: Leashes, barriers, and reliable training cues are your tools to reduce overall risk. Your own knowledge is a key mitigator; see if you are an expert in the field of pet care & safety with this quiz.
4. The Formula: Risk = (Severity + Likelihood) – Mitigators. (Adapted from ASPCA behavior resources).

Next steps that fit your profile (trainer-backed, positive-only)

Green/Low (10–12): Keep skills sharp

1. Reinforce “Watch me,” “Come,” and “Place” for 2–3 minutes daily.
2. Proof your cues with mild distractions once a week. Keep sessions short and fun.
3. Schedule a mini re-test monthly and log your progress on dogsquiz.com.
4. Review the basics of the AKC Canine Good Citizen program.

Amber/Moderate (7–9): Build reliability

1. Start a daily 5-minute pattern game routine, like “Look At That,” to build focus ^(3).
2. 5-Minute “Look At That” (LAT) Routine:
   • Prep (30 sec): Get your high-value treats and go to a room with a neutral object (like a water bottle) 10 feet away.
   • Mat Settle (1 min): Have your dog settle on a mat. Reward calm.
   • Neutral LAT (1 min): Wait for your dog to glance at the object. The moment they look, say “Yes!” and give them a treat.
   • Check-in Pattern (1 min): After a few repetitions, they should look at the object, then immediately look back at you for the treat. This builds a pattern of “see the thing, check in with mom/dad.”
   • Add Distraction (1 min): If successful, try with a slightly more interesting object or have a person walk by at a distance.
   • End & Reset (30 sec): End the session on a good note with a final treat and praise.
3. Use barriers like baby gates proactively when you expect visitors.
4. Find a certified positive-reinforcement trainer via the APDT trainer finder.
5. Boost your handler connection with the Focus & Recall Quiz.

Red/High (4–6): Prioritize safety and expert guidance

1. Stop all stress-testing. Your top priority is management: use gates, closed doors, and predictable walking routes.
2. Switch to predictable routines to lower daily stress. No more door drills for now. Your dog (and your nerves) will thank you.
3. Contact a certified behavior consultant (IAABC/CCPDT) for an in-home plan. Find one here: IAABC Find a Consultant.
4. Use enrichment like puzzle feeders and nose work to lower arousal. Get ideas from Hill’s Pet enrichment guide.

Grey/Uncertain (0–3): Gather better data

1. Re-run the quiz on a quiet day with higher-value treats (chicken/cheese) and a different helper.
2. If the result is the same, record a short video to share with a professional trainer. Ensure your video includes:
   • The complete setup, showing the barrier and distances.
   • The moment the trigger (helper or sound) appears.
   • Your dog’s full body from the side during their reaction.
   • Your attempt to give a cue and offer food.
   • The full recovery period after the trigger is gone.
3. Your dog may be showing “shut-down” behavior. Learn to spot the signs with our Dog Stress Signals Quiz.

Safety stop list (end the quiz immediately if you see these)

1. Whale eye (whites of the eyes showing), a hard freeze, or a lifted lip directed at any person.
2. Repeatedly lunging at or hitting the barrier.
3. Shut-down: a tightly tucked tail, refusal of a favorite food, shaking, or hiding.
4. Heavy panting with drool or dilated pupils lasting more than 30 seconds after the trigger is gone.
5. Any bite history that broke the skin, unless a certified professional is present.

What this quiz can and can’t tell you

Key Points
1. Snapshot, Not Destiny: Behavior is fluid. It changes with context, health, and training. A single test is not a life sentence ^(5).
2. Breed-Neutral: Your dog’s individual learning history and temperament matter more than breed stereotypes.
3. No Provocation: This is not a bite test or a “guard dog” program. It’s a risk-free observation of your dog’s current skills.
4. Reliability in Agreement: Results are most reliable when multiple tools agree (e.g., this quiz + your daily observations + a trainer’s notes).

This quiz uses a simplified model inspired by validated tools like the C-BARQ, which are used by researchers to systematically assess dog behavior ^(1).

Why these three scenarios? The science in plain English

• Alerting: The “stranger at the door” task is a standard way to measure a dog’s response to novel sounds and people, used in well-validated questionnaires like the C-BARQ and DPQ ^(1).
• Deterrence: Observing a dog’s response behind a barrier is a safe, effective way to distinguish confident warning signals from fear-based over-arousal.
• Engagement: A dog’s ability to check in with their handler during a stressful event is a core principle in modern training systems like Control Unleashed and a key metric for responsiveness [1, 3].

Recent advances in behavioral science use standardized scenarios and AI-driven analysis to define an individual dog’s behavior more accurately, moving beyond handler bias and breed stereotypes ^(4).

FAQs (quick answers people ask)

1. How do you test if your dog will protect you? This safe, 3-part quiz is the best first step. It measures key behaviors, alerting, deterrence, and handler engagement, without creating a dangerous situation.
2. Would my dog protect me if I were in danger? It depends on their individual temperament, training, and bond with you. This quiz gives you a data-driven prediction, not a guess. Dogs that score well on engagement (S3) are more likely to look to you for cues.
3. Can dogs sense if you are in danger? Dogs are masters at reading our body language, tone of voice, and even scent changes associated with fear or stress. The question is what they do with that information.
4. Do dogs know when their owner is in danger? They know when you are distressed. A well-socialized, confident dog with strong handler engagement is better equipped to respond constructively instead of panicking or shutting down.
5. Does size or breed predict protection? No. Individual history, training, and confidence are far better predictors than breed. Visit the AKC’s breed guide to understand breed-typical temperaments, but do not treat them as guarantees.
6. My dog is super friendly; could they still protect me? Yes. Protection is not just about aggression. A dog that alerts you to a strange noise and then looks to you for direction is performing a valuable protective behavior.
7. What if I live alone and have no helper? You can still complete S1 (using a recording of a doorbell) and S3. Score what you can and note “helper unavailable” for S2.
8. Can puppies do this? Yes, but keep sessions under one minute, use lots of high-value rewards, and keep it fun. Your goal is building confidence, not testing limits. See Dogster’s puppy socialization basics for more.

Track progress and retest plan (keep it simple)

Progress Tracker

Date	S1 Score	S2 Score	S3 Score	Total	Notes (e.g., trigger, recovery time, treat used)

3-Step Routine:

1. Log today’s scores on dogsquiz.com and set a calendar reminder to retest in 30 days.
2. Practice one micro-skill daily for 3 minutes (e.g., “Watch me” or “Place”).
3. Once a week, do one low-stakes exposure (e.g., play a recording of a doorbell), reward calm behavior, and give your dog the next day off to rest.

Related quizzes and trusted resources

Internal Links

• Boost your dog’s focus with our 2-minute Focus & Recall Quiz.
• Spot stress early with the Dog Stress Signals Quiz.
• New pup? Try the Puppy Social Confidence Quiz.

Trusted External Resources

1. AKC: Training programs and breed information (akc.org).
2. ASPCA: Behavior and safety advice (aspca.org).
3. Dogtime: Tips for calming your dog at the door (dogtime.com).
4. Cesar’s Way: Overviews on door manners and leadership (cesarsway.com).
5. Dogster: Puppy socialization and training guides (dogster.com).
6. Hill’s Pet: Expert advice on enrichment and nutrition (hillspet.com).

Citations

^(1) https://journal.iaabcfoundation.org/formal-assessment-tools-for-dog-behavior-consultants/
^(2) https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/shelter-health-intake-behavior/canine-risk-assessment-and-mitigation
^(3) https://controlunleashed.net/
^(4) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-52636-2
^(5) https://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/research_library/behavior-evaluations-a-literature-review/