Temperament Traits
Part of our job as a breeder is to ensure we place the right puppy with the right home. In order to do this, we will observe and document temperament traits for each of our puppies. Temperament may not be a term you are familiar with, but it is something you want to pay attention to when looking to add any dog to your family. With puppies, some temperament traits are stable, and some are adjustable. While there are many additional traits we will look at, the below are crucial in determining the best placement for service, therapy, and family pets. We observe and take note of temperament traits to build a more complete picture about the puppy. This helps us guide new puppy parents as they choose between puppies.
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STABLE TRAITS
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ADJUSTABLE TRAITS
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Stable temperament traits are defined as traits that “vary little over a dog's lifetime,” and are difficult to change though training, socialization, and development experiences.
Adjustable temperament traits are defined as traits that that can be changed through training, socialization and development experiences.
Adjustable temperament traits are defined as traits that that can be changed through training, socialization and development experiences.
Temperament Testing - Personal Assessment Test (PAT)
At seven weeks of age, we perform the PAT test on each puppy. We test for a variety of traits and based on the results, calculations will be made to determine both their stable and adjustable temperament traits which will help us place them in a home that suits their personality, traits and needs. Below are the different aspects of the test. Based on how the puppy reacts, they will be scored as "low, medium or high".
Assertiveness: We will observe the puppy as the tester sits on the floor in the middle of the room, allowing the puppy to approach on their own terms.
Confidence: We will observe the puppies initial reaction as they enter the testing area as well as observe their approach to situations throughout the test. We are looking for fear vs. confidence.
Motivation Level: We will observe how hard the tester has to work to create a relationship with the pup so that fetching, following and working through obstacles is achieved.
Nerve Strength/Resilience: Throughout the test we will observe if puppy displays stress signals during different aspects (yawning, lip licking, shaking, ears pinned, vocalizing, moving quick, refusal to move, avoidance, seeking human reassurance, whale eyes)
Touch Tolerance: We will go through our puppy handling exercise that includes: open mouth, cover eyes, tug on ears, tug on collar, heavy petting, tug on tail, pressure on paw, tap on nails, circular tummy rub. We will observe and document how puppy reacts, if they are overly struggling, we will stop this portion.
Energy Level: We will monitor the pups movements through the entire test. e.g. if the puppy laying down often or running back and forth around the room.
Sound Sensitivity: Tester will make a loud noise the puppy is unfamiliar with, we use the Fisher Price Toy Popper and the recovery/reaction will be documented.
Sight Sensitivity: We will open an umbrella near the puppy and document their reaction. Do they startle and recover, or are they not phased etc.
Prey Drive: We will gauge the puppy's interest in toys, tug and movement of tester that encourages puppy to chase, stalk and pounce.
Humane Focus: We observe the interaction and overall interest in the tester.
Tenderhearted: Tester will "fall to ground" crying or screaming with intense emotion. e.g. Does the puppy show concern, ignore them or remove themselves from the situation?
Dog Friendliness: We will watch how the pup initially approaches and interacts with the stuffed dog.
Assertiveness: We will observe the puppy as the tester sits on the floor in the middle of the room, allowing the puppy to approach on their own terms.
Confidence: We will observe the puppies initial reaction as they enter the testing area as well as observe their approach to situations throughout the test. We are looking for fear vs. confidence.
Motivation Level: We will observe how hard the tester has to work to create a relationship with the pup so that fetching, following and working through obstacles is achieved.
Nerve Strength/Resilience: Throughout the test we will observe if puppy displays stress signals during different aspects (yawning, lip licking, shaking, ears pinned, vocalizing, moving quick, refusal to move, avoidance, seeking human reassurance, whale eyes)
Touch Tolerance: We will go through our puppy handling exercise that includes: open mouth, cover eyes, tug on ears, tug on collar, heavy petting, tug on tail, pressure on paw, tap on nails, circular tummy rub. We will observe and document how puppy reacts, if they are overly struggling, we will stop this portion.
Energy Level: We will monitor the pups movements through the entire test. e.g. if the puppy laying down often or running back and forth around the room.
Sound Sensitivity: Tester will make a loud noise the puppy is unfamiliar with, we use the Fisher Price Toy Popper and the recovery/reaction will be documented.
Sight Sensitivity: We will open an umbrella near the puppy and document their reaction. Do they startle and recover, or are they not phased etc.
Prey Drive: We will gauge the puppy's interest in toys, tug and movement of tester that encourages puppy to chase, stalk and pounce.
Humane Focus: We observe the interaction and overall interest in the tester.
Tenderhearted: Tester will "fall to ground" crying or screaming with intense emotion. e.g. Does the puppy show concern, ignore them or remove themselves from the situation?
Dog Friendliness: We will watch how the pup initially approaches and interacts with the stuffed dog.
Example of our PAT Test with a Doodle Puppy |
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Service Dog Temperament Testing
If we are raising a litter specific for service dog needs, the puppies will receive both a PAT test and Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test. The Volhard test is designed specifically for dogs meant to be service dogs. The testing elements are fairly similar to the PAT test, but the scoring is a bit different. We will bring in a professional trainer, someone the puppies have never met to complete this test. Based on the results, we will select the most compatible puppies as options for service dog trainers to choose from.
Here are the general rules we follow when our trainer comes to perform the Volhard test.
What are we testing for?
We complete a series of tests and observe the puppy's reaction with each test. Below are the different areas we are testing, and based how they do in each scenario depicts if the puppy would do well as a service dog.
Here are the general rules we follow when our trainer comes to perform the Volhard test.
- Testing will be done in a location unfamiliar to the puppies (a room in the house where puppies have not been).
- We test one puppy at a time.
- We will test in a room with just the scorer and the tester, no other dogs or people will be in the area.
- The tester is our trainer, someone the puppies have never met
- The scorer will position themselves in a way they can observe the puppy without moving.
- We will test the puppies before they are fed and when they are at their liveliest.
- We will not test a puppy the day of or the day after being vaccinated.
- We watch for the first response, that is what counts.
What are we testing for?
We complete a series of tests and observe the puppy's reaction with each test. Below are the different areas we are testing, and based how they do in each scenario depicts if the puppy would do well as a service dog.
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Example of the Volhard Test with Doodle Puppy |
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