Volhard Temperament Testing
When face to face with 5-7 cute, adorable faces and wagging tails, it can be hard to determine which puppy to choose. Every article online will give you a different test to determine if that puppy you are picking will be a good fit for you. Some of them include rolling a puppy on its back and seeing if they struggle against you, some will tell you to call the puppies and see which one comes first, and others will tell you to sit on the floor and see which one pushes their way in first. Each of those tests can be helpful in the right scenario, but a lot of times doesn’t actually tell you what you want to know. As a service dog trainer, I would never pick the puppy that allows you to roll over on its back and not move, because that puppy is going to be too submissive. I’m actually looking for them to struggle just enough, before giving in and relaxing. Depending on if you have small children at home, if you are looking for a therapy dog, or a dog to do agility with, those factors will make a difference what kind of dog you want. That is where our expertise and experience comes in. Through our daily interaction with your puppy, and ultimately our version of the Volhard temperament test (Also called the Puppy Aptitude Test), we are able to make a pretty educated decision on which puppies would be the best fit for you.
Why is the Volhard Temperament test helpful?
First off, it is important to know what kind of dog you are hoping to acquire. Are you looking for a therapy dog, a family dog to live with you and your small children, or a competitive agility dog. This is important to know, because the ideal laid back family dog won’t necessarily be the ideal dog for someone looking for a service dog or competitive agility dog.
The Puppy temperament test evaluates your doodles personality around the age of 7 weeks. This is why we wait to do our puppy selections until that age. Studies have shown that up to 70% of how a dog acts is genetic, and the other 30% is how your puppy is raised. That is why it is so crucial to get puppies from healthy, solid, good temperament parents, and why Puppy Culture is so important.
What exactly does the test involve? The full Puppy Aptitude Test is a compilation of ten individual tests looking at how the puppy responds in various situations. It’s important that they are done in the exact order, and all in one sitting, so as to get an accurate result.
I have found that puppies raised with Puppy Culture respond differently to some of these tests versus puppies that haven’t been, and the Volhard test was designed with the idea that the puppies being tested have had zero handling, so for our puppies, we have to approach it a little bit differently.
Volhard Puppy Temperament Test
TEST #1 Social Attraction:
Place the puppy in test area. From a few feet away the tester coaxes the pup to her/him by clapping hands gently and kneeling down. Tester must coax in a direction away from the point where it entered the testing area.
PURPOSE: Degree of social attraction, confidence or dependence. Degree of social attraction, confidence or dependence.
SCORE
1. Came readily, tail up, jumped, bit at hands
2. Came readily, tail up, pawed, liked at hands.
3. Came readily, tail up.
4. Came readily, tail down.
5. Came hesitantly, tail down.
6. Did not come at all.
TEST #2 Following:
Stand up and walk away from the pup in a normal manner. Make sure the pup sees you walk away.
PURPOSE: Degree of following attraction. Not following indicates independence.
SCORE
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 following, or went away.
TEST #3 Restraint:
Crouch down and gently roll the pup on his back and hold it with one hand for a full 30 seconds.
PURPOSE: Degree of dominant or submissive tendency. How it accepts stress when socially and/or physically dominated.
SCORE
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.
TEST #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.
PURPOSE: Degree of acceptance of social dominance pup may try to dominate by jumping and nipping or it is independent and walks away.
SCORE
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.
TEST #5 Elevation Dominance:
Bend over and cradle the pup under its belly, fingers interlaced, palms up and elevate just off the ground. Hold it there for 30 seconds.
PURPOSE: Degree of accepting dominance while in position of no control
SCORE
1. Struggled fiercely, bit growled.
2. Struggled fiercely.
3. No struggle, relaxed.
4. Struggled, settled, licked.
5. No struggled, licked at hands.
6. No struggle, froze.
TEST #6 Retrieving:
Crouch beside pup and attract its attention with crumpled up paper ball. When the pup shows interest and is watching, toss the object 1 to 2 meters in front of pup.
PURPOSE: Degree of willingness to work with a human. High correlation between ability to retrieve and successful guide dogs, obedience dogs, field trial dogs.
SCORE
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.
TEST #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.
PURPOSE: Degree of sensitivity to touch.
SCORE
1. 8 – 10 seconds before response.
2. 6 – 7 seconds before response.
3. 5 – 6 seconds before response.
4. 3- 4 seconds before response.
5. 1 – 2 seconds before response.
TEST #8 Sound Sensitivity:
Place pup in centre of area. Tester of assistant makes a sharp noise a few feet from the puppy. A large metal spoon struck sharply on a metal pan twice works well.
PURPOSE: Degree of sensitivity to sound (also a rudimentary test for deafness).
SCORE
1. Listens, locates sound, walks towards it barking.
2. Listens, locates sound, barks.
3. Listens, locates sound, and walks there curiously.
4. Listens, locates sound.
5. Cringes, backs off, hides.
6. Ignores sound, shows no curiosity.
TEST #9 Sight Sensitivity:
Place pup in centre of room. Tie a string around a large towel and jerk it across the floor a few feet away from the puppy.
PURPOSE: Degree of intelligent response to the strange object
SCORE
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.
TEST #10 Stability:
Place pup in center of area. Closed umbrella is held 4 feet away and pointed perpendicular to the direction on the pup’s face. The umbrella is opened and set down so the pup can investigate:
PURPOSE: Degree of intelligent response to the strange object.
SCORE
1. Walks forward, tail up. bites
2. Walks forward, tail up, mouths
3. Walks forward, attempts to investigate
4. Looks curiously, stays put
5. Goes way, tail down, hides
6. Ignores, shows no curiosity
INTERPRETATION OF SCORES
Mostly 1’s:
Strong desire to be a pack leader and will not be shy about trying to get it. Can be predisposed for aggressiveness and should only be in a home with very experienced dog people and where the dog will be trained and worked with on a daily basis.
Mostly 2’s:
This dog is dominant and can be provoked to bite. Responds well to firm, consistent, fair handling in an adult household, and is likely to be a loyal pet once it respects its human leader. Often has bouncy, outgoing temperament: may be too active for elderly, and too dominant for small children.
Mostly 3’s:
This dog accepts human leadership well and will make a great service dog or therapy dog option with proper training. Is best prospect for the owner willing to put in a little training time. Adapts well to new situations and generally good with children and elderly, although it may be inclined to be more active. Needs training but does very well at it and learns very quickly. Best dog for a second time dog owner or someone willing to work closely with a trainer.
Mostly 4’s:
This dog is submissive and will adapt to most households. Usually a little less active than one scoring mostly 3’s. Ideal for a new dog owner or someone a little more passive. Gets along well with children in general, though sometimes may need a little protection and space from overzealous children. More ideal for a home with small children than some of the other numbers. You’ll be the star in obedience class without having to do too much work as your dog is sensitive, loving and eager to please.
Mostly 5’s:
This dog is extremely submissive and needs special handling to build confidence and bring him out of his shell. Does not adapt well to change and confusion and needs a very regular, structured environment. Usually safe around children but will need a calm environment. Not a good choice for a beginner since it frightens easily, and takes a long time to get used to new experiences.
Mostly 6’s:
This dog is independent. He is not affectionate and may dislike petting and cuddling. It is difficult to establish a relationship with him for working or as a pet. Not recommended for children who may force attention on him; he is not a beginner’s dog.