Von Warterr Rottweilers
Puppy Temperament Test
Email: vonwarterr@cox.net
Website: www.vonwarterr.net
Puppy Temperament Test
Name_________________________ Tatoo #____________ Collar Color____________
Litter _________________________________________Test Date _________________
TEST | PURPOSE | SCORE |
Social Attraction: Place the puppy in test area. From a few feet away the tester coaxes the puppy to come by clapping hands gently and kneeling down. Tester must coax in a direction away from the point where they entered the testing area. |
Degree of social attraction, confidence or dependence. |
1 Came readily, tail up, jumping and biting at hands 2 Came readily, tail up, pawed and licked at hands 3 Came readily, tail up 4 Came readily, tail down 5 Came hesitantly, tail down 6 Did not come at all |
Following: The tester stands up and walks away from the puppy in a normal manner. Make sure the puppy sees you walk away. |
Degree of following attraction Not following indicates independence. |
1 Followed readily, tail up, getting underfoot and biting at feet 2 Followed readily, tail up, getting underfoot 3 Followed readily, tail up 4 Followed readily, tail down 5 Followed hesitantly, tail down 6 Did not follow or went away |
Restraint: The tester crouches down and gently rolls the puppy on its back and holds it down 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 and bit. 2 Struggled fiercely, flailed 3 Struggled then settled then struggled again with some eye contact. 4 Struggled then settled with some eye contact 5 No struggle but some eye contact 6 No struggle, avoids eye contact |
Social Dominance: The tester allows the puppy to stand up and gently strokes it from the head to back while crouching beside him. Continue stroking until a recognizable behavior is established |
Degree of acceptance of social dominance. The puppy 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 |
Elevation Dominance: The tester bends over and with interlaced fingers, cradles the puppy under its belly and elevates just off the ground for a full 30 seconds |
Degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control |
1 Struggled fiercely, bit, growled 2 Struggled fiercely 3 No struggle, relaxed 4 Struggled then settled and licked 5 No struggle, licked at hands 6 No struggle, froze |
Retrieving: The tester crouches beside pup and attracts his attention with crumpled up paper ball. When the pup shows interest and is watching, toss the object 4 to 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, and 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 6 Does not chase object |
Touch Sensitivity: Take puppies webbing of one front foot and without using your fingernails press between your finger and thumb lightly and then more firmly until you get a response, while you count slowly to 10. Stop as soon as puppy pulls away or shows discomfort. |
Degree of sensitivity to touch |
1 Responds between 9 - 10 2 Responds between 7 - 8 3 Responds between 5 - 6 4 Responds between 3 - 4 5 Responds between 1 - 2 6 Responds immediately |
Sound Sensitivity: Place pup in the center of area, tester makes a sharp noise a few feet from the puppy. A large metal spoon struck sharply on a metal pan twice works well |
Degree of sensitivity to sound |
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 sound 5 Cringes, backs off, hides 6 Ignores sound, shows no curiosity |
Sight Sensitivity: Place pup in center of area, tie a string around a large towel and jerk it across the floor a few feet away from the puppy |
Degree of intelligent response to strange object |
1 Looks, attacks, bites 2 Looks, barks and tail up 3 Looks curiously attempts to investigate 4 Looks, barks, tucks tail 5 Ignores towel 6 Runs away and hides |
Persistence: Tester shows the pup a treat and then places it under a clean plastic container |
Degree of persistence and intelligence in problem solving |
1 Barks, paws, and persists until successful 2 Paws, pushes until he is Successful 3 Observes it, appears to be thinking 4 Small, feeble attempts 5 Doesn’t attempt or quits quickly 6 Shows no interest |
Interpreting the Scores
*Mostly 1’s - A puppy that consistently scores a 1 in the temperament test is an extremely dominant, aggressive puppy who will be very assertive and can easily be provoked to bite. His dominant nature will attempt to resist human leadership thus requiring an experienced handler. This puppy is better suited for a working situation rather than just a household pet.
*Mostly 2’s - This pup is dominant and self assured. He will readily accept human leadership that is firm but fair, 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 can fit as a companion into an adult home where 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 is handled correctly. May be too much dog for a family with small children or an elderly couple who are sedentary.
*Mostly 4’s - This 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 children, and though he may lack a high degree of self confidence, he will make a high quality family 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. This type of pup often makes a good companion for elderly couples.
*Mostly 6’s - A puppy that scores 6 consistently is independent and uninterested in people. He will probably 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 which have been bred for specific tasks (hounds, 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 owners.
Score Sheet
#1’s = ________
#2’s = ________
#3’s = ________
#4’s = ________
#5’s = ________
#6’s = ________
Average = ________
Same Sex Pecking Order Within The Litter:
___ 1 = Alpha
___ 2 = Beta
___ 3 = Gamma
___ 4 = Delta
___ 5 = Epsilon
___ 6 = Digamma
___ 7 = Zeta
___ 8 = Eta
___ 9 = Theta
___ 10 = Iota
___ 11 = Kappa
___ 12 = Lambda
EVALUATION:
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