Test temperament of pup

Testing puppy temperament is something experienced dog handlers have probably always done intuitively. People selecting working dogs for guarding, search and rescue, guiding the blind or other tasks, have a series of tests they put a puppy through to try to predict which pup will best succeed in his intended job.

Temperament describes a set of behaviors and responses that characterize that pup. When the pup is around 7 weeks old, most of what we can measure as temperament is inherent, determined by that pup’s genetic makeup, although some of it has been influenced by early interactions with the pup’s mother, siblings and human handlers. In adult dogs, temperament testing is still useful. However, a lot more of an adult’s responses have been shaped by his experiences.

By researching different breeds of dogs you can choose a breed whose temperament will suit your needs, however, within every litter there will be variables. To pick a pup that’s best for you out of a litter requires that you consider what you are expecting out of this pup.

Puppy tests are not a guarantee against future development of undesirable behaviors. However, they can be helpful in predicting what animal personality type you’ll be dealing with. An experienced dog handler looking for a guard dog will not be looking for the same things as a family looking for a dog to get along with young children.

For most of us searching for the family pet, we want a confident dog, but one who looks to her human family for guidance and leadership. We want an easy temperament.

One well-known test is to roll the pup on its back and hold it in this position with your hand on its chest. This measures the pup’s acceptance of restraint. Some pups – dominant dogs – will cry, struggle and bite at your hand. Others – submissive dogs – will be so afraid they will freeze.

A dog with an easy temperament will struggle a little and then relax, wagging its tail.

If possible, having an experienced breeder or trainer help with puppy testing is ideal. Puppies should be tested during a time when they are active and playing, not when they are tired or hungry. The test should be done in a new, but nonthreatening environment, away from the mother and litter, and testing should be done by someone unfamiliar to the dog.

It is ideal to test several pups from a litter and test them on more than one occasion to get the best indication of each pup’s temperament.

Temperament testing

For people looking for a good, gentle family dog, here are some tests and the desirable results:

•Call the pup to you in a friendly voice, while gently clapping your hands. The puppy who comes right up, and licks your hands is likely to be a better fit as a family dog than the independent dog who walks in the other direction or the frightened dog who cowers in the corner.

•Test sensitivity to touch by gently pinching the webbing between the toes until the pup reacts by vocalizing, biting or pulling away. Stop immediately when the pup objects. Do not hurt the pup. Dogs at either end of the spectrum, either very touch sensitive or very insensitive to touch, may be more challenging to train.

•Sound sensitivity. In a household with children, a dog that reacts to a loud sound by localizing it and investigating calmly will be easier to deal with than one who becomes excitable, barking excessively or who becomes terrified and tries to crawl under the couch.

•Interest in retrieving is important for hunting dogs, and some people think it is a predictor of success in obedience training. Throw a ball or crumpled paper. It is desirable that the dog show some interest in this object and go toward it, and then come to you when called (with or without the object is not so important). A dog that runs and grabs the object and then runs away, may be more challenging to train. The same goes for a dog that shows no interest in the object.

Think about what you expect from a dog. It’s a lot to expect that the same dog might be gentle with a toddler, but attack an intruder. What are the most important qualities you want in your dog? If you live alone, a shy, sensitive dog might work for you. If you live in a busy house with kids, you need a very calm dog who is not bothered by loud noises and being petted.

Although temperament testing is not always perfect and results not always clear cut, it can be a valuable tool in finding the dog that will fulfill your expectations and be a happy member of the family.