|
Test
|
Purpose
|
Response
|
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1. Social Attraction:
From a few feet away the tester coaxes the pup to her by
clapping hands gently and kneeling down. Coax in direction away
form the point where pup enters test area. Degree of social
attraction, confidence of dependence. |
Degree of
social
attraction, confidence
or dependence. |
(1) Came
readily, tail up, jumped, bit at hands.
(2) Came readily, tail up, pawed, licked at hands.
(3) Came readily, tail up.
(4) Came readily, tail down
(5) Came hesitantly, tail down.
(6) Didn't come at all. |
|
2. Following:
Stand up and
walk away from the pup in a normal manner. Make sure the pup
sees you walk away. |
Degree of
following
attraction. Not
following indicates
independence. |
(1) Followed
readily, tail up, got underfoot bit at feet.
(2) Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot.
(3) Followed readily, tail up
(4) Followed readily, tail down.
(5) Followed hesitantly, tail down.
(6) No follow or went away. |
|
3. Restraint Crouch:
Crouch down
and gently roll the pup on his back and hold it with one hand
for a full 30 seconds. |
Degree of
dominant or
submissive tendency.
How it accepts stress
when socially/physically dominated.
|
(1) Struggled
fiercely, flailed, bit.
(2) Struggled fiercely, flailed.
(3) Settled, struggled, settled with some eye contact.
(4) Struggled then settled.
(5) No struggle.
(6) No struggle, straining to avoid eye contact. |
|
4. Social Dominance: Let
pup stand up and gently stroke him from the head to back while
you crouch beside him. Continue stroking until a recognizable
behavior is established. |
Degree of
acceptance
of social dominance.
Pup may try to
dominate by jumping
and nipping or is
independent and walks
away.
|
(1) Jumped,
pawed, bit, growled.
(2) Jumped, pawed.
(3) Cuddles up to tester and tries to lick
face.
(4) Squirmed, licked at hands.
(5) Rolled over, licked at hands.
(6)Went away and stayed away. |
|
5. Elevation Dominance:
Bend
over and cradle the pup under its belly, fingers interlaced,
palms up and elevate it just off the ground. Hold it there for
30 seconds. |
Degree of
accepting
dominance while in
position of no control.
|
(1) Struggled
fiercely, bit, growled.
(2) Struggled fiercely.
(3) No struggle, relaxed
(4) Struggled, settled, licked
(5) No struggle, licked at hands.
(6) No struggle, froze. |
6. Retrieving:
Crouch beside
pup and attract his attention with crumpled up
paper ball. When the pup shows
interest and is watching, toss the
object 4-6 feet in front of pup. |
Degree of
willingness
to work with a human.
High correlation
between ability to
retrieve and successful
guide dogs, obedience
dogs, field trial dogs.
|
(1) Chases
object, picks up object and
runs away.
(2) Chases object, stands over object,
does not return.
(3) Chases object and returns with object
to tester.
(4) Chases object and returns without
object to tester.
(5) Starts to chase object, loses interest.
-Does not chase object. |
7. Touch Sensitivity:
Take puppy's
webbing of one front foot and press between *finger and thumb
lightly then more firmly till you get a response, while you
count slowly to 10. Stop as soon as puppy pulls away, or shows
discomfort.
*Do NOT
use fingernail. |
Degree of
sensitivity to
touch.
|
(1) 8-10
counts before response.
(2) 6-7 counts before response.
(3) 5-6 counts before response.
(4) 2-4 counts before response.
(5) 1-2 counts before response. |
|
8. Sound Sensitivity:
Place pup in
center of area. Tester makes a sharp noise a few feet from the
pups. Metal spoon struck twice on pan. |
Degree of
sensitivity to
sound. (Also can be a
rudimentary test for
deafness.)
|
(1) Listens,
locates sound, walks toward it barking.
(2) Listens, locates sound, barks.
(3) Listens, locates sound, shows curiosity and walks toward
sound.
(4) Listens, locates the sound.
(5) Cringes, backs off, hides.
(6) Ignores sound, shows no curiosity. |
|
9. Sight Sensitivity:
Place pup in
center of room. Tie a string around a large towel and jerk it
across the floor a few feet from the pup. Degree of intelligent
response to strange object. |
Degree of
intelligent
response to strange
object.
|
(1) Looks,
attacks and bites.
(2) -Looks, barks and tail up.
(3) Looks curiously, attempts to investigate
(4) -Looks, barks, tail-tuck.
(5) Runs away, hides. |
|
10. Persistence:
Show pup a
treat, place it under a clean plastic margarine tub. If needed,
punch holes in top of tub if give up quickly. Record how long
the pup will work to get the treat out. |
Degree of
willingness to try/how determined they are-indicates food
drive
|
(1) very
persistent, barking, pawing, frustrated but successful.
(2) Pawing, pushing, successful
(3) Quite, thoughtful, seems to be thinking, successful
(4) Small feeble attempts-has to be assisted
(5) Didn't attempt or gave up quickly |
|
11. Problem Solving:
put up a 6-8
foot barrier that the pup can see through like an x-pen (in an
accordion fashion), in such a way that it can't get knocked
over. Place pup at halfway point of barrier with barrier between
tester and pup. Tester then backs away 5-6 feet and calls pup.
Observe how pup solves problem and how long it takes. Pups is
"done" when sits down or stops working to solve problem. Show
pup the answer in trail if gives p. Repeat twice more. Comparing
pups initial response to subsequent responses. |
|
(1)
Independently solves problem
(2) Learned in one trial, remember solution on 2nd and 3rd
trails
(3)Willing or unable to solve the problem without help or
encouragement
(4) Has to work it out each times like anew problem
(5) Gives up on subsequent attempts even when show the solution
in first trail |
|
12. Stability:
with pup 6'ft
away, SLOWLY open and umbrella in a direction parallel with pups
travel and place it on its side/ Allow pup to investigate.
Watch pup from moment start to open umbrella until times show no
further inters in. |
|
(1) Responds
with bark/growl Leaps and bites. Body posture very up
(2) No state goes directly to umbrella. Tail up may mouth or
bite it. Investigates by stepping on or into it.
(3)No startle or very quick recovery, investigate boldly, tail
up.
(4) Startles recover more slowly than 3 , tail rarely up,
cautious investigation and from distance
(5) Startles, tail tucked ears down, avoid umbrella, unwilling
to investigate
(6) Startles, runs way, tried to hide actively avoids umbrella. |
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13. Activity Level During Test: |
|
(1) Very high
energy-gallops just about everywhere
(2) High energy-trots constantly with occasional galloping.
(3) Medium energy-trots with some walking.
(4) Low energy- walks with some walking
(5) Very low energy, walk all the time or sits |
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Mostly 1's:
A puppy that
consistently scores a 1 in the temperament section of the test
is an extremely dominant, aggressive puppy who can easily be
provoked to bite. His dominant nature will attempt to resist
human leadership, thus requiring only the most experienced of
handlers. This puppy is a poor choice for most individuals and
will do best in a working situation as a guard or police dog.
|
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Mostly 2's:
This pup is
dominant and self-assured. He can be provoked to bite; however
he readily accepts human leadership that is firm, consistent and
knowledgeable. This is not a dog for a tentative, indecisive
individual. In the right hands, he has the potential to become a
fine working or show dog and could fit into an adult household,
provided the owners know what they are doing. |
|
Mostly 3's:
This pup is
outgoing and friendly and will adjust well in situations in
which he receives regular training and exercise. He has a
flexible temperament that adapts well to different types of
environment, provided he is handled correctly. May be too much
dog for a family with small children or an elderly couple who
are sedentary. |
|
Mostly 4's:
A pup that
scores a majority of 4's is an easily controlled, adaptable
puppy whose submissive nature will make him continually look to
his master for leadership. This pup is easy to train, reliable
with kids, and, though he lacks self-confidence, makes a
high-quality facilely pet. He is usually less outgoing than a
pup scoring in the 3's, but his demeanor is gentle and
affectionate. |
|
Mostly 5's:
This is a pup
who is extremely submissive and lacking in self-confidence. He
bonds very closely with his owner and requires regular
companionship and encouragement to bring him out of himself. If
handled incorrectly, this pup will grow up very shy and fearful.
For this reason, he will do best in a predictable, structured
lifestyle with owners who are patient and not overly demanding,
such as an elderly couple. |
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Mostly 6's:
A puppy that scores 6 consistently is independent and
uninterested in people. He will mature into a dog who is not
demonstrably affectionate and who has a low need for human
companionship. In general, it is rare to see properly socialized
pups test this way; however there are several breeds that have
been bred for specific tasks (such as basenjis, hounds, and some
northern breeds) which can exhibit this level of independence.
To perform as intended, these dogs require a singularity of
purpose that is not compromised by strong attachments to their
owner. |