Search & Rescue Test, page 1

People are always asking me how I decide which pup goes to whom.
An important part of that decision comes from the two tests that we do on the pups as soon as possible after they turn 49 days old.
Janet Wilts & Bonnie Whitman are well know SAR handlers and educators and good friends.  If a pup from a litter is going for SAR, they do their best to come test the litter.
I deeply appreciate that.
Note how much fun both the SAR testers and the pups have on this test.

Mr. Blue went to Colorado to be an avalanche dog at a ski resort. Mr. White went to Santa Fe, NM for Search & Rescue. Miss Yellow went to Montana to do agility and nosework. Mr. Green and Mr. Red went to Colorado as pets, though Mr. Green will hopefully do nosework and tracking. Mr. Red is the third dog of mine for his family. Miss Purple went to California as a pet, the second dog her people have gotten from me. Miss Pink went to California as a pet. Mr. Gray went to Buffalo, WY (just 35 miles from here) as a pet, while Mr. Brown went to Gillette, WY, about 100 miles east of here.

The results and most of the photos are from the NN Litter, was tested at 56 Days of Age on 2/11/18.
If photos from another litter are used, the pup is identified by litter and age.

Acceptance/Attachment The first test involves evaluating the pup’s acceptance of the strange place and its willingness to interact with the stranger. Ideal reaction is eye contact and interest in the stranger but no sign of nervousness in the interaction (we don’t want a “Protect me!” attitude), followed by visual investigation of the surroundings and then a return of attention to the tester.

Pup Rating                                   Additional Observations

Blue Male
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 9

Brown Male
Janet: 10                                        maybe too much
Bonnie: 10                                     really grew as test went on

Gray Male
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10

Green Male
Janet: 7                                          originally marked 5 then moved to 7
Bonnie: 9                                       “people” dog

Pink Female
Janet: 8
Bonnie: 8

Purple Female
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 9

Red Male
Janet: 9
Bonnie: 9

White Male
Janet: 8
Bonnie: 8                                         not initially but warmed up during testing

Yellow Female
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10

Mr. White

Mr. Blue

Also see the attachment test in the other temperament test

Eye Contact Desire to connect with the tester by looking them in the eye was noted.

Pup Rating                                        Additional Observations

Blue Male
Janet: 9 – 10
Bonnie: 9

Brown Male
Janet: 8
Bonnie: 8

Gray Male
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10

Green Male
Janet: 5
Bonnie: 8                                         fairly quickly

Pink Female
Janet: 8
Bonnie: 9                                         started harder, then (no more written)

Purple Female
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 8                                         not at first

Red Male
Janet: 9
Bonnie: 9

White Male
Janet: 8 – 9                                      originally marked at 6
Bonnie: 9                                        averted at first (originally marked at 6)

Yellow Female
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10

Mr. Brown

Mr. Green

Confidence The confidence part of the test involves holding the pup out at arm’s length for several seconds. Again, the pup should accept the handler putting it in position and remain calm.

Pup Rating                                   Additional Observations

Blue Male
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10

Brown Male
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 9                                       “whiner”, talker!

Gray Male
Janet: 7
Bonnie: 10

Green Male
Janet: 8
Bonnie: 7                                        uncomfortable

Pink Female
Janet: 9
Bonnie: 8                                        struggled, then settled

Purple Female
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10

Red Male
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10                                     didn’t care

White Male
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10

Yellow Female
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10

Mr. Red

Mr. Brown

Also see the confidence test in the other temperament test

Retrieve Next, willingness to retrieve is evaluated using different toys and balls. Ideal reaction is to repeatedly being the toy back to the handler rather than moving off to “possess” it. The type of bite on the toys is evaluated: a full mouth bite shows more confidence and drive than a front-teeth-only bite.

Pup Rating                                  Additional Observations

Blue Male
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10

Brown Male
Janet: 7
Bonnie: 8

Gray Male
Janet: 9 – 10                               good but slow
Bonnie: 10

Green Male
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 9                                   “people pleaser,” happy to do this

Pink Female
Janet: 8                                      too unfocused – too busy
Bonnie: 8

Purple Female
Janet:  8                                     got better
Bonnie: 9                                   not at first, then with head/tail up, very enthusiastic

Red Male
Janet: 4
Bonnie: 7

White Male
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 9

Yellow Female
Janet: 9
Bonnie: 9

Mr. Blue

More retrieve photos are show on page 2 (Mr. Green & Mr. Brown).

Also see the retrieve test in the other temperament test

to SAR Test, page 2 (Retrieve cont’d, Perseverance, Tug)
to SAR Test, page 3 (Tug, cont’d)
to SAR Test, page 4 (Metal Object, Prey Drive)
to SAR Test, page 5 (Hunt for Toy)
to SAR Test, page 6 (Pain Sensitivity, Unstable Footing)
to SAR Test, page 7 (Submission, Cadaver)
to SAR Test, page 8 (Runaway)
to SAR Test, page 9 (Runaway cont’d, Reaction to Strange Object)
to SAR Test, page 10 (Wagon, Wheelbarrow)
to SAR Test, page 11 (Fear [Can], Surprise [Umbrella])
to SAR Test, page 12 (Independence, Aggression/Courage)
to SAR Test, page 13 (Hunt for Food I)
to SAR Test, page 14 (Hunt for Food II)
to SAR Test, page 15 (Puppy Drag & Summaries)