Just as how we humans have our own differences personalities and behaviors, so do each puppy in a litter possesses its own personality. The environment in which a puppy is raised also plays a crucial role in shaping its behavior as aside from its natural behavior.
When going to pick up a pup from the shelter or from a reputable breeder, it is important to understand a puppy’s individual traits in order to match it with your own personality and lifestyle, so as to ensure a successful companionship. While there is different of behaviors exhibited by puppies within a litter, some puppies may display shyness or sociability. However, if a puppy exhibits unprovoked aggression, extreme fearfulness, or persistent avoidance, it may require additional socialization.
Also Read: How to Socialize Your Dog or Puppy
What Is a Temperament Test for Dogs?
Temperament testing for puppies can be likened to using a canine crystal ball to gain insight into your puppy’s personality and temperament. This assessment helps in predicting and addressing potential behavioral issues by evaluating aspects like the puppy’s stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness.
Kinds Of Tests
There are various types of tests are used for different purposes in the field of dog training and assessment. Breeders utilize tests to evaluate a dog’s performance in activities such as Schutzhund and tracking, while, shelters conduct tests to check a dog’s overall disposition and assess their suitability for adoption. Additionally, some dogs are tested for their potential to work as therapy or assistance dogs.
Note: It’s important to note that there is no universal test that applies to all dogs.
When speaking with your breeder or shelter to get a puppy, it’s important to ask about any temperament tests that have been conducted and the outcomes of these tests. Breeders and shelters often use these to match a puppy with a suitable owner, taking into consideration factors such as the owner’s experience with dogs and the nature of the home environment. For example, a more assertive puppy might be recommended for an experienced dog owner.
Tests Are Not Perfect
The personality and temperament of a puppy are not predetermined at birth. Instead, they are shaped by early experiences, socialization, development, and the effects of learning, all of which play a significant role in determining the future behavior of the puppy.
The behavior issues such as resistance to handling, possessive aggression, territorial vocalization, excessive reactivity, and various forms of fear may not become apparent in a dog until it reaches an older age. It’s important to note that shelter puppies, especially the older ones, may exhibit fearfulness or aggression while in the shelter environment. However, once they are removed from the stressful and overwhelming shelter environment, their behavior may change drastically.
Testing puppies can begin as early as 7 weeks old, but for more accurate results, it is advisable to conduct the tests at 3 to 4 months of age. By assessing indicators at this stage, you can identify potential negative behaviors and take steps to address them. This proactive approach can help prevent or minimize undesirable behaviors as the puppies mature.
Also Read: The First 30 Days With Your New Puppy
5 Puppy Assessment Tests
There are 5 basic puppy assessments test that are commonly used by breeders that are suitable for puppies that are at least 7 weeks of age. We would be taking about these 5 tests.
Test 1.For independent-mindedness
To assess a puppy’s independent-mindedness, you can cradle the puppy on its back as you would a baby, then you place a hand gently on its chest, and look directly into its eyes. Puppies that readily accept this handling are considered being compliant and adaptable. However, puppies that resist this handling are more likely to be independent-minded, indicating a stronger will and potentially more harder to train.
Test 2.For independent-mindedness
To perform this test, you can hold the pup suspended under its armpits with its hind legs dangling while maintaining direct eye contact. Dogs that obey easily are often seen as less willful, while those that resist may prefer to do things their own way.
Test 3.Noise sensitivity test
To check a dog for noise sensitivity, you can drop keys or a tin pan to observe their reaction to sudden or loud sounds in their environment. Puppies with sound sensitivity may exhibit strong emotional or physical responses to such sounds. It’s important to assess their reactions carefully to understand their level of sensitivity.
Test 4.People-friendly test
Please observe how the puppy reacts when a stranger comes into the room or when left alone in the room. Take note of whether the puppy runs to greet the stranger or displays signs of fear such as cowering and crying when left alone. It’s important for a puppy to be well-socialized with people and its environment by the time it reaches the age of 3 months.
Test 5.Puppy toy test
When evaluating older puppies, conducting an additional test can be beneficial in determining their behavior traits. This test can provide insights into whether a dog is independent, prone to attachment issues and separation anxiety, or more relaxed and easygoing. To conduct the test, place the individual puppy with their breeder or a shelter worker in a room containing new toys. Then, observe the puppy’s reaction when the person leaves the room. Based on their behavior, puppies typically fall into one of three broad categories.
- Independent: The puppy showed little concern when the person departed or returned. This behavior might suggest a predisposition towards independence, strong-willed behavior, or a lack of proper bonding.
- Super needy: When the person left, the dog exhibited signs of distress by whining and ignoring toys, and when the person was present, the dog sought close contact and reassurance. These behaviors may indicate a strong attachment to the person and could be indicative of potential future separation anxiety in the dog.
- Middle of the road: The puppy was attentive to the individuals entering and leaving the room, displaying an alert and interested demeanor. It did not exhibit any signs of distress and appeared to derive pleasure from playing with its toys. These observations indicate a secure and healthy attachment, as well as a relaxed and adaptable temperament, without requiring strict discipline or excessive nurturing.
Also Read: How to Bond With Your Dog and Create the Best Relationship
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