Puppy Temperament Test

Puppy Temperament Test

This test is for puppies under the age of 5 months

The four types of dog behaviour for which this test will determine are listed below:

RESPONSIVE

Good Choice

This puppy is adaptable, bonds well with humans and is a good dog for first time owners

NERVOUS

Caution

This puppy is shy, fearful, possibly be unpredictable and may not be suitable for children

INDEPENDENT

Beware

This puppy can be indifferent, stubborn, possibly standoffish and is usually best kept as an outdoor dog

AGGRESSIVE

Stay Away

This puppy is dominant, unpredictable, and possibly touch sensitive and definitely not suitable for a family pet

RULES FOR TESTING

You will need the following items for this test....a collar and leash, a set of keys, a squeak toy, a can of dog food, and a bowl.

In order to test the puppy properly....remove puppy from its littermates, its mother and any other dogs in the house or kennel.

Make sure the puppy is not tired or has not just gotten up from a nap....just eaten or ready to eat.

TEST ONE	Stroke the puppy gently from head to toe picking up all the feet and play with its tail and ears

RESPONSIVE	This puppy should accept the petting and exam

NERVOUS	This puppy may be sensitive about one part of the exam

INDEPENDENT	This puppy may show no interest in your petting or exam

AGGRESSIVE	This puppy may be sensitive about all your petting and may try to bite

TEST TWO	Pick up puppy and cradle it like a baby and place your hand over its throat....for large dog roll it on its back

RESPONSIVE	Puppy may struggle at first but should settle quickly and allow this

NERVOUS	This puppy's body may be stiff with fear and have a wide eye stare

INDEPENDENT	This puppy may wiggle its way from you and go to do something else

AGGRESSIVE	This puppy may struggle wildly to get loose may growl or try to bite

TEST THREE	Test reaction to sound by making a high pitched sound then a deep sound and a whistle....throw a squeak toy and rattle keys

RESPONSIVE	This puppy should be curious about sounds and should be wagging its tail

NERVOUS	This puppy may look frightened and may even run away

INDEPENDENT	This puppy may ignore all of the sounds and be uninterested

AGGRESSIVE	This puppy may bark at the sounds made and try to attack or bite the objects

If the puppy is out of control snapping and biting....put him up. This is not a puppy to consider buying. There is no point in taking the chance of getting bitten. The sharp teeth of a puppy can cause some nasty punctures and tears.

TEST FOUR	Put a collar and leash on the puppy and wait to observe his reaction...then take a few steps with the puppy

RESPONSIVE	This puppy may have no reaction to leash and may follow

NERVOUS	This puppy may be fearful of the leash and be too afraid to move

INDEPENDENT	This puppy may ignore you and the leash as well as showing no interest to what is going on

AGGRESSIVE	This puppy may bite, tug and growl at the leash

Before doing Test Five...make sure the puppy's vaccinations are up to date and that you are testing in a secure area (one that has not had stray dogs come through ).

Make sure any cats or dogs that you may allow the puppy to meet are healthy and up to date on their vaccinations. Always be careful when taking a puppy outdoors before it has finished its series of DA2PP/CV vaccinations.

There is no reason to expose a puppy to Parvo, Distemper, or who knows what else.

TEST FIVE	Test the puppy's reaction to outside by exposing him to a variety of outdoor sounds animals and people

RESPONSIVE	This pup may stay close to you but be curious of these surroundings

NERVOUS	This puppy may become fearful and cower or even try to run away

INDEPENDENT	This puppy may show no interest in what you show him only what he finds

AGGRESSIVE	This pup may lunge and snap at everything barking furiously

TEST SIX	Test puppy's reaction to food by putting a bowl of canned dog food down and then taking food away before puppy finishes it

RESPONSIVE	This puppy may look at you wagging its tail for more

NERVOUS	This puppy may be too afraid to even eat the food offered

INDEPENDENT	This puppy may just walk away having no interest at all

AGGRESSIVE	Careful....this puppy may jump at you growling and biting

You should be able to come up with an evaluation of your puppy's temperament from these six easy tests. Not all puppies will fit exactly into each category, but you should be able to get a good idea of how adaptable your puppy is. A pup may show a lack of interest in a small area or may even be a little shy in another....this does not make it a bad pup....but a puppy that bites and growls and snaps is a definite....

STAY AWAY

Thanks to Michele Godlevski for all the information I was able to use from her wonderful website to prepare these tests for your use. Please be sure to check out her website for more references on this subject as well as the multitude of information she has on Choosing the Perfect Dog.

You will find a link to her site on the AHT Interesting Links Page.

BACK TO THE AHT TEMPERAMENT