Measuring canine impulsivity: translation and validation of a German dog impulsivity assessment scale

Psychometric questionnaires are used to assess canine temperament, aiding in the identification of behavioral and affective traits. Impulsivity, defined as a predisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli, is one such trait and is considered a contributing factor in various behavioral problems, including aggression. This study aimed to translate and validate the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale (DIAS) for use in German-speaking populations. Data from 2,788 dog-caretaker dyads were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), revealing a four-factor structure. This structure was subsequently confirmed using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in a separate subsample of 557 dyads. The resulting factors were labeled Excitability, Reactive Aggressive Behavior, Interest in Environment, and behavioral Regulation and explained 32.7% of the total variance. Three original scale items did not demonstrate adequate stability. Item 12 ("takes a long time to lose interest") was removed from the final German version, whereas Items 6 ("appears to be sorry") and 16 ("reacts very quickly") likely reflect cross-cultural differences in interpretation. These results support the German DIAS as a useful tool for assessing impulsivity related traits in dogs and underscore the value of cross-cultural research in advancing our understanding of canine impulsivity. Further research is needed to explore cultural influences, including the increasing knowledge of dog behavior in recent decades, which may shape dog caretakers' perceptions and interpretations of their dogs' behavior and thus influence their responses to certain questions in behavioral assessment scales over time.