CHESTER

Behavioural Assessment Report Chester

Dog Name: Chester

Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier x Cane Corso (Male)

Assessment Date: Wednesday 15th April 2026

Assessment Location: Pawfection Rehoming

Assessed by: North Canine Training

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Chesters behavioural assessment was conducted at Pawfection Rehoming with two staff members present throughout. Chester was assessed both indoors in his rest area and within the outside garden area. Chester spent time both on-lead and off-lead during this time. The assessment was approximately 1 hour in duration. 

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Temperament and Behavioural Observations

General Observation 1a.

Upon entering the area in which Chester was crated, he was visibly frustrated and eager to greet and come out of his crate. His frustration was presented through barking at the crate door and pacing. Chester was allowed out of his crate, without a lead, and was initially excitable, realising his frustration through movement. He did calm, and pottered around the garden area freely.

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Chester has lots of enthusiasm and drive, and this needs to be managed and channelled appropriately and with care. He displayed a high drive for food and especially, toys.

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It is clear however, that when Chester is aroused, he struggles to think with clarity and this can lead to undesirable and potentially dangerous behaviour. When calm, Chester was well mannered, enjoyed the attention and could listen to instruction well.

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1b. Human Interaction

Chester was initially excitable and did jump a couple of times towards myself, this was paired with some frustration barking. He did settle and enjoyed the attention through a calm fuss. Having observed Chester around two different staff members from Pawfection, he showed a positive level of response to one, while being challenging with the other.

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With the staff member he would challenge, he would frequently bite the lead, bite her jacket and try and start conflict. He seemed to enjoy the challenge and seek a gamewhich is dangerous. This behaviour was discussed and has been historic with this staff member. I, as a new person to Chester, didn’t experience any of this behaviour.

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The level in which Chester would bite this staff members jacket was dangerous, and I had concerns that this could one day escalate if not addressed.

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1c. Dog-Dog Interaction

During this assessment, Chester spent time around a dog who he has previously displayed aggression towards. Despite being well managed during the assessment period, Chester did lunge towards the other dog intensely, and quickly, with little warning on a couple of occasions. It was noted, that the lunging wasn’t every time this dog came close or within a proximity and it did feel calculated.

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For reference, the other dog mentioned, was a large intact male.

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1d. Response to the environment

No specific environmental testing was conducted during this assessment, but Chester seems environmentally confident in himself and within both his rest area and garden area. Chester didn’t show any issue with general background noise, or with the noise from the property next door.

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Training

2a. Current Training

Prior to the assessment, Chester has been trained to walk on a Halti and accepts this well. He has done prior Residential Training with another professional dog trainer, who taught Chester to play and “Out” (release) a toy. Michelle at Pawfection will have more information on his residential training if required.

Since the assessment, it was recommended that general lead training begin, so that with or without the Halti, Chester’s behaviour is consistent and that the lead doesn’t become a piece of equipment that frustrates him. It was also recommended that Chester spend more time being “neutral” and learning to “do nothing” to assist in regulating his arousal. Muzzle training was also recommended and while writing up this report, I have been updated, that this has gone well and he is now able to walk on a muzzle if required.

 

 

2b. Future Training 

On-going training is an absolute must with Chester. While outlets for his drive and energy are recommended, this has to be done safely. It is also just as important for Chester to have continued structure and down time so he can learn to regulate, rather than being “on or off”. Muzzle training and correct socialisation around other dogs is essential. I would advise to be extremely cautious with Chester around dogs with a muzzle recommended, until a relationship, understanding and training has been further developed with him.

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Training Progress

Since writing up this report, I have supported Pawfection with 4 training sessions and I have outlined what we covered in each below, along with a write up on his progress.

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Session 1 – Muzzle Training

Session 2 – Lead Training paired with the muzzle

Session 3 – Lead Training and Socialisation Walk

Session 4 – Walk to local park, generalise the muzzle, introduction to a long line/extendable lead

 

Each week Chester has shown progress. He is now muzzled trained, and will happily wear his muzzle both in the rescue property and off-site on walks, around people and other dogs.

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Chester is making good progress with his loose lead walking, and can walk well. There is still room for improvement and this would come on well with the correct time investment.

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We most recently introduced Chester to an extendable lead, so that he can have more freedom where suitable to do so. He was relaxed and calm with the additional freedom and this didn’t generate any unnecessary arousal. During his free time, we had the muzzle on and off and his behaviour was consistently good. I did observe some prey stalking towards a squirrel.

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Chester is also improving in his ability to relax in the crate with distraction present (EG. Someone walking past his rest space) and we are seeing a reduction in his barking when this happens. This is still an area which is being worked on.

 

 

Summary of Chester

Chester is a high drive dog, who easily frustrates and requires a confident, understanding handler to get the best from him. He showed a good level of drive towards food, and a high level towards a toy. He has high trainability and enjoyed his attention and fuss from him. While I haven’t observed any possessive behaviour around food or toys, his level of drive would lead me to think this could be an area of concern and must be managed.

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Chester is a dog who seems to enjoy the conflict, be it through play or through challenging his handler as noted above. See 1b. Human Interaction. And this must be worked on appropriately with him.

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In the last 4 weeks, I started with seeing Chester repeatably biting a leash and jacket in the garden area to being able to walk freely on a long lead, with and without a muzzle with no intent of biting the leash and feeling much calmer in himself. Under the right guidance, Chester has the potential to continue to progress really well, but commitment and correct training is an absolute must.

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Assessment Disclaimer

This report is written solely on the behaviours directly observed during the assessment time, location and under the conditions laid out above. Behaviour in dogs is dynamic and may change in time due to prior or future experience along with potential health or lifestyle issues. As such, this report gives a professional observation, but does not guarantee nor can it fully predict future behaviour.

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Signed by,

Assessor: James O’Sullivan, North Canine Training

info@northcanine.co.uk