Illustrated Temperament Test, page 2

4. Social Dominance Stroking pup until it reacts

Possible Ratings & General Description
1 – excellent:              Cuddled up to tester, licked face
2 – above average:     Jumped, pawed
3 – Average – good:   Jumped, pawed, bit, growled
4 – minimal:               Squirmed, licked at hands
5 – insufficient:           Rolled over, licked hands
6 – unacceptable:       Went away and stayed away

Pup Rating & Any Additional Observations
Blue Male          Excellent
Brown Male       Above average
Gray Male          Excellent
Green Male        Excellent
Pink Female       Excellent
Purple Female   Excellent
Red Male           Minimal
White Male        Above average
Yellow Female    Excellent

Miss Pink

Miss Purple

 

5. Confidence/Elevation Test 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.

Possible Ratings & General Description
1 – excellent:              Struggled, settled, struggled, settled
2 – above average:     Struggled
3 – Average – good:   Struggled, tried to bite
4 – minimal:               No struggle, relaxed
5 – insufficient:          No struggle, body still
6 – unacceptable:      No struggle, body froze

Pup Rating & Any Additional Observations
Blue Male          Above average
Brown Male       Minimal
Gray Male          Excellent
Green Male        Insufficient
Pink Female       Minimal
Purple Female   Minimal
Red Male           Minimal
White Male        Excellent
Yellow Female   Minimal

Miss Yellow

These pups were so heavy for tiny Sue that we recruited a strong young man to do this test.

Mr. Red

Mr. Green

see also the Confidence test in the Search & Rescue test

 

6. Retrieve Ball/Toy  Next, willingness to retrieve is evaluated using different toys: a stuffed toy, and a tennis ball. 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.

Possible Ratings & General Description
1 – excellent:              Chased object, picked it up and returned with it
2 – above average:     Chased object, picked it up and returned without it
3 – Average – good:   Chased object, stood over it, did not return
4 – minimal:               Chased object, picked it up, ran away
5 – insufficient:           Started to chase, lost interest
6 – unacceptable:       No chase

Pup Rating & Any Additional Observations
Blue Male           Average-good
Brown Male       Excellent
Gray Male          Insufficient
Green Male        Average-good
Pink Female       Excellent
Purple Female   Minimal
Red Male           Excellent
White Male        Excellent
Yellow Female   Excellent           Retrieved 2 times

Mr. White

Miss Yellow

see also the Retrieve test in the Search & Rescue test

 

to Temperament Test, page 3 (Sensitivity, Prey/Perseverance, Sound Sensitivity (can))

to Temperament Test, page 4 (Sound Sensitivity (weird toy), Umbrella, Summary and Parents’ TT results)

back to Temperament Test, page 1 (Social Attachment, Following, Restraint/Submission)