Canine-ality MYM

ASPCA®’s Meet Your Match®

MYM_LOGO

You could be gazing at the animal of your dreams, but you just can’t tell what she’s thinking behind that furry face. What if you knew a little something about her personality and habits before you moved in together? Here at Larimer Humane Society, we utilize the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match program. Meet Your Match is the only method in existence today that evaluates an animal’s behavior and interests and matches them to an adopter’s preferences so that you take home a pet you can really click with.

This initial compatibility between dog and adopter lays the foundation for the human/canine bond to develop, increasing the potential for a successful adoption and a long, happy life together.

The Meet Your Match Canine-ality/Puppy-ality assessment begins with an initial MYM SAFER™ (Safety Assessment for Evaluating Rehoming) behavior screening to make sure each pooch is a good candidate for adoption. Dogs are then tested on their friendliness, playfulness, energy level, motivation and drive, and placed into one of nine color-coded Canine- or Puppy-alities. Some pooches are laid-back “Couch Potatoes,” others are curious “Busy Bees,” and then there are the action hero “Go-Getter” types.

As an adopter, you also get a color based on your preferences and lifestyle. On your visit to the shelter, you will be asked to complete the Dog Adopter Survey. Based on the results of the survey, you will be given a color of purple, orange or green – this is the color of the pets that might suit you best. You are not required to adopt an animal in your same color category, but at least you’ll know who you’re mixing with!

How Does Canine-ality work?

Every dog has a colorful canine-ality. Every person has a colorful person-ality. The Canine-ality Adoption Program reveals both a dog’s and an adopter’s true colors so that you can make a more informed choice about the pooch you bring home. Here’s how:

The Canine-ality Assessment
The Dog Adopter Survey

The Canine-ality Assessment: This assessment takes some of the mystery out of the selection process by evaluating a pooch's:

Friendliness and sociability
Playfulness
Energy level and ability to focus
Motivation (food, people, toys, internal motivations, etc.)
“People manners”

Once they've been assessed, dogs are given a color—either green, orange or purple—that reveals where they stand in each of these areas.

The Dog Adopter Survey: Here’s where you come in. You can complete this fun one-pager in a matter of minutes to help find out which canine-alities get along best with your personality. The survey is lighthearted and upbeat, and after taking it, you’ll find out what color you are.

Green adopters are most successful with pooches who like to be physically and mentally engaged.
Orange adopters are a good fit with middle-of-the-road dogs who are responsive and enjoy regular activity and interaction.
Purple adopters are comfortable with canines who have a laidback attitude and prefer an easygoing lifestyle.

Now you’re off—with a color-coded guest pass in hand—to find your new companion. As you pass each furry face, you’ll notice the dogs have color cards on their cages. You don’t have to choose a pooch whose color matches yours—love at first sight does happen. But knowing the color lets you at least prepare for the way your four-legged love will respond when he gets home.

Meet the Canine-alities

Who says it’s not easy being green? Do you blend best with orange types? Maybe you’ve got a case of the purples.

The way a pooch scores on the Canine-ality Assessment places her in one of three color-coded categories (just like you!), each representing her level of persistence in going after something she wants. Let's meet the Canine-alities:

	Couch Potato Like the easy life? Then I’m the perfect match for you. I’m a relaxed, laid-back kind of dog who enjoys long naps, watching movies, curling up on laps, and walking very short distances from the couch to the food bowl and back. (Internally motivated)
	Constant Companion Looking for an emotionally secure, mutually satisfying, low maintenance relationship? I am all you need. Let me sit at your feet, walk by your side, and I’ll be your devoted companion forever. (Socially motivated)
	Teacher’s Pet I’ve got the whole package — smart, fuzzy, four legs, love to learn and live to please. Go ahead, teach me anything. Sit, stay, balance your checkbook, I can do it all. Keep me entertained and I’ll be yours forever. (Externally motivated)
	Wallflower Shy yet charming canine searching for patient owner with relaxed lifestyle. Looking for gentle guidance to help me come out of my shell. Treat me sweet and kind and I’ll blossom. (Internally motivated)
	Busy Bee I’m a naturally playful, curious, and trusting canine. Take me for a big walk every day; give me something to do. After my job’s done, I’ll curl up in front of the fire with you in the evenings. (Externally motivated)
	Goofball I’m a fun-loving, happy-all-the-time, glass-is-half-full kind of dog looking for someone who loves to laugh and play around. Must have a great sense of humor and some time to spend with me. I’m a dog on a mission to please you. (Socially motivated)
	Life of the Party I think everything is fun, interesting and meant for play, especially you. Anything you do, I’ll want to do too. With my own brand of surprises, life with me will keep you constantly on your toes, and the fun is guaranteed. (Socially motivated)
	Go-Getter Want to get more exercise? Action is my middle name. My “Let’s GO!” lifestyle will keep you motivated to get outside and move. I’ve got tons of energy; and just like the sun, I’m burning and working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I’ll run for miles, chase a ball for hours, and still want to play at the end of the day. (Externally motivated)
	Free Spirit Intelligent, independent, confident and clever, I prefer making my own decisions but will listen to you if you make a good case. We’re partners in this adventure. Treat me like one and we’ll both live happily ever after. (Internally motivated)