RR Litter Police Narcotics Test Results - Celhaus German Shepherds WyomingCelhaus German Shepherds Wyoming

RR Litter Police/Narcotics Dog Temperament Test
The RR Litter was tested at 51 Days.

RR litter background information
RR litter pedigree

I was unable to find a place to conduct the test locally, so I drove them to Suzan’s place in Buffalo, WY, about 35 miles away. They got a little practice in traveling distances that should help them as they travel to their new homes.

My good friend, Suzan Guilford, usually does the police/narcotics test. Suzan is a former K9 handler and police officer, former police chief, and has taught at the Wyoming Police Academy. She has done my temperament tests for over seventeen years, except for a two-year absence while she was working in Florida. Suzan and I over the years have incorporated most of the SAR exercises into her testing so she can include them in case Janet & Bonnie can’t come do the SAR testing.

The main difference I see between the police/narcotics test and the SAR test is the attitude of the tester. In the police test, the tester is very quiet, talking little and using very little body movements. No other people are present and the environment is kept quiet. In the SAR test, the tester (often two do the test together) is somewhat more enthusiastic, uses some verbal praise and body movements to get the pup “up” and gives praise. Other people are sometimes present to watch, though they are asked to be as quiet as possible. This would fit well with the ultimate purpose of the dogs being tested for both types of training. In police work the dog must be able to dig down deep inside himself or herself to find the courage and aggression to confront a criminal and/or to search independently and at great distance from the handler. In SAR the handler is usually closer to the dog and is able to praise and encourage him, especially in extended searches. There is also generally all kinds of activity and distraction at a search scene so the dog must be able to filter out the extraneous activity and focus on her job. Both tests are fascinating to watch as is the difference in the pups’ responses in each test.

Results are listed after the description of each part of the Test. At the bottom, test results are listed for Cantor (father), Lovely (mother), GloryToo (Lovely’s mother; grandmother of the litter), Chaos & Lively (great-grandparents of the litter) and Lively’s mother & grandmother (maternal great-great-grandmother and great-great-great grandmother).

Recently Suzan adapted her test and also added an interpretation statement:
This test was designed for Police dogs and dogs of similar professions. This is a good predictor of a strong, confident dog, but also one that may be more independent and not as willing to work with humans as much as they just want to work. Having scores that are average and minimal in some categories may be just what is needed for the agility, therapy or family dog.

This test uses minimal voice, praise and encouragement.

RR Litter Test Results

1. Social 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.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1 – excellent: Licked face; tail up, bit at hands, face
2 – above average: Licked hands; tail up
3 – Average – good: Came readily, tail up
4 – minimal: Acknowledged tail down
5 – insufficient: Hesitant
6 – unacceptable: Did not acknowledge

Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations

Blue Male: Excellent
Brown Male: Excellent – Above Average
Gray Female: Above Average, “Took 45 seconds”
Green Male: Above Average, “Very nice eye contact”
Pink Female: Above Average
Purple Male: Above Average, “30 seconds”

2. Following Observing willingness to follow handler, acceptance

Possible Ratings/General Description
1 – excellent: Followed tail up, underfoot, bit at feet
2 – above average: Followed, tail up, underfoot
3 – Average – good: Followed, tail up
4 – minimal: Followed, tail down
5 – insufficient: Followed hesitantly, tail down
6 – unacceptable: Did not follow, went away

Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations

Blue Male: Average – good
Brown Male: Average – good
Gray Female: Average – good
Green Male: Above Average
Pink Female: Average – good
Purple Male: Above Average

3. Restraint/Submission The submission test, done for 30 seconds, is designed to give an idea of the pup’s tractability, trust in humans, and willingness to submit to a human’s directives. In the submission test the pup is held firmly on its back for a short period of time. The tester counts the seconds it takes for him to resist, then accept, the restraint. She should not passively accept the restraint, nor should she panic or show avoidance of eye contact. Ideal reaction is to resist, then submit and look the tester in the face. We also look for a willingness to forgive the tester.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1 – excellent: Settled, struggled, settled with some eye contact
2 – above average: Struggled fiercely, flailed
3 – Average – good: Struggled fiercely, bit, flailed
4 – minimal: Struggled, then settled
5 – insufficient: No struggle
6 – unacceptable: No struggle, strained to avoid eye contact

Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations

Blue Male: Minimal, “Eye contact @ 6-7 seconds, good”
Brown Male: Minimal, “20+”
Gray Female: Minimal
Green Male: Above Average, “eye contact at 10”
Pink Female: Above Average, “30 sec”
Purple Male: Above Average, “10 sec eye, struggled”

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

Blue Male: Excellent
Brown Male: Average – good
Gray Female: Excellent
Green Male: Above Average
Pink Female: Excellent
Purple Male: Excellent

5. Confidence/Elevation 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/ Additional Observations

Blue Male: Above Average, “12 sec”
Brown Male: Above Average
Gray Female: Minimal
Green Male: Minimal, “25 sec, struggled”
Pink Female: Excellent
Purple Male: Above Average, “25 sec”

6. Retrieve Ball/Toy Next, willingness to retrieve is evaluated using different balls. The tester looks for desire to chase and desire to bring back, noting independence or willingness to work with a human. 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/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Excellent, “4 times”
Brown Male: Unacceptable, “very little interest”
Gray Female: Excellent, “3 times”; Minimal, “3 times”
Green Male: Excellent, “5 times”
Pink Female: Excellent, “3 times”
Purple Male: Excellent, “6 times”

7. Sensitivity The loose skin over the ribs is gently pinched and the pup’s reaction is noted. Ideal reaction is to notice the pinch but be unconcerned by it. We also look for a willingness to forgive the tester.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1 – excellent: 8 – 10 count for response
2 – above average: 6 – 8 count for response
3 – Average – good: 5 – 6 count for response
4 – minimal: 3 – 5 count for response
5 – insufficient: 2 – 3 count for response
6 – unacceptable: 1 – 2 count for response

Pup/ Rating
Blue Male: Average – good
Brown Male: Average – good
Gray Female: Average – good
Green Male: Average – good
Pink Female: Excellent
Purple Male: Above Average

8. Prey/Perseverance Then perseverance is evaluated by seeing how enthusiastically they will pursue, grab hold, and tug on a rope or sack. They look for chasing, solidness of grip and use of body. Ideal reaction is to pursue enthusiastically, grasp with a full mouth bite, tug and do everything possible to posses the object. If a sack is used, we like to see a pup get its whole body on the sack in an effort to subdue it.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1 – excellent: Chased or tugged continually, full bite, used body on object
2 – above average: Chased, tugged, good bite, used feet.
3 – Average – good: Chased, tugged, bit, may release and re-bite, tail up
4 – minimal: Chased, followed object, bit, released, may tug, tail down
5 – insufficient: Chased, may bite with front-teeth bite, may lose interest
6 – unacceptable: Little or no chase or engagement

Pup/ Rating

Blue Male: Insufficient
Brown Male: Unacceptable
Gray Female: Minimal
Green Male: Above Average
Pink Female: Insufficient
Purple Male: Average – good

9a. Sound sensitivity-Can of Rocks A metal can filled with rocks is dropped behind them from a height of about 2 feet while they are looking away from it. Will the pup hold its ground and then go look at what dropped from nowhere? Excellent reaction is to acknowledge and turn towards the sound and then confidently go see what made the racket. The tester encourages the pup to investigate, if it doesn’t on its own. She notes how much encouragement is needed. I find most of my pups look towards the racket and keep on playing with the toy they had, rather than stopping their play to go investigate.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1 – excellent: Heard, located sound & ran toward it
2 – above average: Heard, located sound, walked toward it
3 – Average – good: Heard, located sound and showed curiosity
4 – minimal: Heard and located sound
5 – insufficient: Cringed, backed off, tried to hide
6 – unacceptable: Ignored sound and showed no curiosity

Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations

Blue Male: Minimal
Brown Male: Minimal
Gray Female: Minimal
Green Male: Minimal, “”encouraged:
Pink Female: Average – good
Purple Male: Minimal

9b. Sound sensitivity-Train A battery operated train engine that moves erratically and whistles was used.
Will the pup hold its ground and then go look at what dropped from nowhere? Excellent reaction is to acknowledge and turn towards the sound and then confidently go see what made the racket. The tester encourages the pup to investigate, if it doesn’t on its own. She notes how much encouragement is needed.

Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations

Blue Male: Average – good
Brown Male: Above Average
Gray Female: Minimal
Green Male: Average – good
Pink Female: Above Average
Purple Male: Insufficient, “encouraged”

10. Surprise/Stability The last test involves getting the pup to follow you (or a toy) towards a place with a hidden person, from behind which an umbrella is opened suddenly and then lowered to the ground, still open. The pups are evaluated on how they recover from being startled and if they’ll go investigate. Ideal reaction is for the pup to startle but hold its ground, then move right up to check out the umbrella. A super excellent reaction is to go up and bite it and/or walk all over it. The tester encourages the pup to investigate after the umbrella is on the top step, if it doesn’t on its own. She notes how much encouragement is needed.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1 – excellent: Looked, ran to umbrella, attacked/bit
2 – above average: Looked, walked to umbrella, smelled
3 – Average – good: Looked, went to investigate
4 – minimal: Sat and looked, did not investigate
5 – insufficient: Showed little or no interest
6 – unacceptable: Ran away from umbrella

Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations

Blue Male: Unacceptable, “little yelp”
Brown Male: Unacceptable, “little yelp, but easily encouraged back”
Gray Female: Minimal, “verbally encouraged”
Green Male: Above average, “with encouragement”
Pink Female: Unacceptable
Purple Male: Minimal, “had to be encouraged”

Tester Comments:

Blue Male: Friendly. Likes people and encouragement. Good for competition.
Brown Male: Very people friendly. Good family pet.
Gray Female: A little more independent. Responds well to voice. Good family pet.
Green Male: Likes people. Social. Good for competition.
Pink Female: Nice. Independent. Good for competition.
Purple Male: Clumsy – but a fun dog. Distance (in retrieve) no problem. Takes time to process. Good family pet.

Summary

Note that all pups do not have all six possible rating lines, only the ratings they received are listed.

Pup/ Rating/Tests

Blue Male:
Excellent: Social Attachment, Social Dominance, Retrieve Ball/Toy
Above average: Confidence/Elevation
Average-good: Following, Pain Sensitivity, Sound Sensitivity – Train
Minimal: Restraint/Submission, Sound Sensitivity – Can of rocks
Insufficient: Prey/Perseverance
Unacceptable: Surprise/Stability

Brown Male:
Excellent: Social Attachment
Above average: Following, Social Attachment (marked twice), Confidence/Elevation, Sound Sensitivity – Train
Average-good: Social Dominance, Pain Sensitivity
Minimal: Restraint/Submission, Sound sensitivity – Can of rocks
Unacceptable: Retrieve Ball/Toy, Prey/Perseverance, Surprise/Stability

Gray Female:
Excellent: Social Dominance, Retrieve Ball/Toy
Above average: Social Attachment
Average-good: Following, Pain Sensitivity
Minimal: Restraint/Submission, Confidence/Elevation, Retrieve Ball/Toy (marked twice), Prey/Perseverance, Sound Sensitivity – Can of rocks, Sound Sensitivity – Train, Surprise/Stability

Green Male:
Excellent: Retrieve Ball/Toy
Above average: Social Attachment, Following, Restraint/Submission, Social Dominance, Prey/Perseverance, Surprise/Stability
Average-good: Pain Sensitivity, Sound Sensitivity – Train
Minimal: Confidence/Elevation, Sound Sensitivity – Can of rocks

Pink Female:
Excellent: Social Dominance, Confidence/Elevation, Retrieve Ball/Toy, Pain Sensitivity
Above average: Social Attachment, Restraint/Submission, Sound Sensitivity – Train
Average-good: Following, Sound Sensitivity – Can of Rocks
Insufficient: Prey/Perseverance
Unacceptable: Surprise/Stability

Purple Male:
Excellent: Social Dominance, Retrieve Ball/Toy
Above average: Social Attachment, Following, Restraint/Submission
Average-good: Prey/Perseverance
Minimal: Sound Sensitivity – Can of rocks, Surprise/Stability
Insufficient: Sound Sensitivity – Train

Comparison

Social Attachment
Excellent: Blue, Brown
Above average: Gray, Green, Pink, Purple

Following
Above average: Green, Purple
Average-good: Blue, Gray, Pink

Restraint/Submission
Above average: Green, Pink, Purple
Minimal: Blue, Brown, Gray

Social Dominance
Excellent: Blue, Gray, Pink, Purple
Above Average: Green
Average: Brown

Confidence/Elevation
Excellent: Pink
Above average: Blue, Brown, Purple
Minimal: Gray, Green

Retrieve ball/toy
Excellent: Blue, Gray, Green, Pink, Purple
Minimal: Gray
Unacceptable: Brown

Sensitivity (pinch)
Excellent: Pink
Above average: Purple
Average-good: Blue, Brown, Gray, Green

Prey/Perseverance
Above average: Green
Average-good: Purple
Minimal: Gray
Insufficient: Blue, Pink
Unacceptable: Brown

Sound Sensitivity (can)
Average-good: Pink
Minimal: Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Purple

Sound Sensitivity (train)
Above average: Brown, Pink
Average-good: Blue, Green
Minimal: Gray
Insufficient: Purple

Surprise (umbrella)
Above average: Green
Minimal: Gray, Purple
Unacceptable: Blue, Brown, Pink

For interest, I include the puppies’ father’s, mother’s, maternal grandparent’s and maternal great-grandparent’s temperament test results below. All of the tests on the females and Chaos were done by Suzan, former police K9 handler, except for Lively’s & Quinta’s SAR tests, done by Janet Wilts. Cantor was tested in Minnesota by his breeder.

Cantor’s Puppy Aptitude Test (father of this litter)

The puppy aptitude test that was used on Cantor is different from ours. It was originally created by Joachim and Wendy Volhard as a way to test behavioral tendencies and predict what a puppy will be like as an adult. During the test, various exercises are done with the puppy to determine the following:

• Social Attraction: how well the puppy connects to people and whether he’s confident or dependent on others
• Following: his willingness to follow a person
• Restraint: whether the puppy is more dominant or submissive and how well he can be handled in difficult situations such as vet exams
• Social Dominance: how the puppy reacts to being dominated socially, whether he tries to dominate or if he’s independent and walks away
• Elevation: how well he accepts dominance when he’s in a position of no control
• Retrieving: how willing the puppy is to do something for you
• Touch Sensitivity: how sensitive he is to being handled, which can help determine the type of training equipment you’ll need
• Sound Sensitivity: how sensitive he is to loud noises as well as being a rudimentary test for deafness
• Sight Sensitivity: how the puppy responds to moving objects, which can reveal any tendencies to chase cars or the mailman
• Stability: how startled the puppy may be when confronted with a strange object
• Structure: This is a measure of how well-formed and proportioned the puppy is physically. A puppy with a solid build will generally be healthier than one that has issues with bone alignment.

The test done on Cantor has been revised from the original Volhard test, eliminating the structure evaluation and substituting a test of energy level. It also has only five scoring options on some tests. At the end of the test I include the Volhard’s suggestions of how to evaluate the scores.

1. Social Attraction
Purpose: Degree of attraction to people
Method: Place pup in testing area 4 feet from tester, who coaxes puppy to her/him

Possible Ratings/General Description
1: Comes readily, tail up, jumps, bites at hands
2: Comes readily, tail up, paws, licks at hands
3: Comes readily, tail up
4: Comes readily; tail down
5: Comes hesitantly, tail down
6: Does not come at all

Cantor’s Score: Nothing circled
Comments: Looked at sheet (covering boundaries so watchers invisible), came tail wagging

2. Following
Purpose: Degree of willingness to follow human leadership
Method: Stand up and walk away from puppy, encouraging verbally

Possible Ratings/General Description
1: Follows readily, tail up, gets underfoot, bites at feet
2: Follows readily, tail up, gets underfoot
3: Follows readily, tail up
4: Follows readily, tail down
5: Follows hesitantly, tail down
6: No follow or went away

Cantor’s Score: 3
Comments: Whined, followed tester with tail wagging

3. Restraint
Purpose: Degree of dominance or submission. Response to social/physical dominance.
Method: Gently roll the pup on his back and hold it for 30 seconds. Continue holding until it no longer struggles.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1: Struggles fiercely, flails, bites
2: Struggles fiercely, flails
3: Settles, struggles, settles with eye contact
4: Slight struggle, then settles
5: No struggle, tail tucked
6: No struggle, strains to avoid eye contact

Cantor’s Score: Nothing circled
Comments: Struggled, whined whole time, eye contact at end

4. Social Dominance
Purpose: Degree of acceptance of human social dominance. How “forgiving” the pup is.
Method: Pup sits facing tester at a 45 degree angle. Tester strokes pups and puts his/her face close to pup.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1: Jumps, paws, bites, growls
2: Jumps, paws, licks
3: Cuddles up to tester, tries to lick face
4: Sits quietly, accepts petting, nudges/licks hands
5: Rolls over, no eye contact
6: Goes away and stays away

Cantor’s Score: 3
Comments: Licked, wagged tail

5. Elevation Dominance
Purpose: Degree of accepting dominance while in position of no control
Method: Cradle the pup under its belly, fingers interlaced, and elevate just off the ground for 30 seconds

Possible Ratings/General Description
1: Struggles fiercely, bites
2: Struggles
3: No struggle, relaxed, tail wags
4: No struggle, relaxed
5: No struggle
6: No struggle, froze, tail/rear legs tense

Cantor’s Score: Nothing circled
Comments: Whined whole time, relaxed

6. Retrieving (Obedience & Aptitude)
Purpose: Degree of willingness to work with humans. High correlation between ability to retrieve and successful guide dogs, obedience dogs and field trial dogs.
Method: Attract pup’s attention with crumpled paper ball. When he is watching, toss paper 4′ away. When pup goes after it, back up two feet and encourage him to come back.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1: Chases object, picks it up and runs away
2: Chases object, stands over it, does not return
3: Chases object, picks it up and returns to tester
4: Chases object, returns without object to tester
5: Starts to chase, loses interest
6: Does not chase

Cantor’s Score: 3
Comments: Went out right away, came back to tester

7. Touch Sensitivity
Purpose: Degree of sensitivity to touch
Method: Take webbing of one front foot and press between finger and thumb lightly, gradually increasing pressure on a scale from 1 – 10. Stop as soon as the puppy shows discomfort.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1: 9 – 10 counts before response
2: 7 – 8 counts before response
3: 5 – 6 counts before response
4: 3 – 4 counts before response
5: 1 – 2 counts before response

Cantor’s Score: 3
Comments: none

8. Sound sensitivity
Purpose: Degree of sensitivity to sound
Method: Place pup in center of testing area and make a sharp noise a few feet away. A large metal spoon struck sharply on a metal pan twice works well.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1: Locates sound & walks toward it
2: Locates sound, barks
3: Locates sound, shows curiosity, walks toward it
4: Locates sound
5: Cringes, backs, hides
6: Ignores sound, shows no curiosity

Cantor’s Score: 4
Comments: Turned and barked

9. Chase Instinct
Purpose: Degree of response to moving object: chase instinct
Method: Tie a string around a towel and drag it in front of the puppy from left to right.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1: Looks, attacks, bites
2: Looks, barks, tail up
3: Looks curiously, attempts to investigate
4: Looks, does not go forward, tail down
5: Runs away, hides
6: Ignores, shows no curiosity

Cantor’s Score: 3
Comments: Showed interest. Went away then came back.

10. Stability
Purpose: Degree of intelligent response to strange object
Method: Place pup in center of testing area. Closed umbrella is held 4′ away and pointed perpendicular to the direction the pup faces. The umbrella is opened and set down so the pup can investigate.

Possible Ratings/General Description
1: Walks forward, tail up, bites
2: Walks forward, tail up, mouths
3: Walks forward, attempts to investigate
4: Goes away, tail down, hides
5: Ignores, shows no curiosity

Cantor’s Score: Nothing circled
Comments: Backed away, walked to object, stopped at 1′, came back to tester

11. Energy Level
Purpose: Degree of physical energy
Method: Observe pup on the other tests and score according to the most frequent activity observed. Check with breeder for confirmation.

Possible Ratings/General Description
High: Continually runs, pounces, wiggles, paws
Medium: Mostly trots, occasionally runs, pounces, wiggles
Low: Walks slowly, sits quietly, remains in position usually
Stressed: Stands rigidly, eyes roll, tail down, ears back

Cantor’s Score: high

Overall Comments: More submissive, vocal puppy, curious, fairly confident, impulsive
“How to score the test
After you’ve administered each test and recorded the results, add up the number of one’s, two’s, three’s, etc.

Mostly One’s: This puppy has aggressive tendencies and is very dominant. He would not be a good match for families with children or elderly owners since he may be quick to bite. He would likely be a difficult dog to train and would require an experienced handler.
Mostly Two’s: This puppy is dominant. He would fit well in an adult household with an owner that can be firm and consistent in handling. Once the owner has gained his respect, he can be a very good companion. However, he may be too dominant for a household with children, or too energetic for an elderly owner.
Mostly Three’s: This puppy fits best with the average owner, accepts human leadership readily and can be good with children and elderly owners. He would likely be a good dog for obedience training, although he may be fairly active.
Mostly Four’s: This puppy is submissive and would fit with most owners, getting along well with children and elderly owners. He would train well, but may be somewhat less outgoing and energetic than a puppy that scores mostly three’s.
Mostly Five’s: This puppy is very submissive. He would not be the best choice for a first-time owner because he scares easily and needs to be taught how to be more outgoing. He would need a very regimented lifestyle to feel comfortable and open up. He’s generally safe for children, but could bite out of fear if overly stressed. Training him would take a lot of patience.
Mostly Six’s: This puppy is very independent and would be difficult to work with. He’s not very people-friendly and would require an experienced handler. He shouldn’t be matched with households with children. If you also recorded several one’s with this puppy, he may be likely to bite if stressed. This is particularly true if he scores a one in restraint.

If you find that after administering the puppy aptitude test a puppy has a few of every number, you should retest him in a few days. He may not feel well. Upon retesting, if the puppy still doesn’t show a pattern in scoring, he’s likely to have erratic behavior and may not make a good pet.”

What the scores mean for you
If you’re a first-time owner, you should look for a puppy that scores mostly three’s and four’s. One with this personality should be easy to train and family-friendly. This is particularly true if he scores a three in both social attraction and social dominance. This doesn’t mean that a puppy with other scores isn’t fit to be a pet, just that he may be better suited for owners that have more training experience. The test doesn’t pick good puppies. It only points out general personality traits a puppy will have as he grows. The puppy aptitude test should only be used as a gauge for a puppy’s temperament. It’s up to each person to make his or her own decision as to the personality they would like their puppy to have and choose based on this knowledge.”

Lovely’s Police Dog/Narcotics Dog Temperament Test 2016 (mother of this litter)
The LL Litter was tested at 52 Days. See test scores for entire litter.

My good friend, Suzan Guilford, came to do the police/narcotics test. She is a former K9 handler and police officer, former police chief, and has taught at the Wyoming Police Academy. She has done my temperament tests for over seventeen years, except for a two year absence while she was working in Florida.

Suzan and I over the years have incorporated most of the SAR exercises into her testing, in case Janet & Bonnie can’t come do the SAR testing, which was the case with this litter.

Other people are sometimes present to watch, though they are asked to be as quiet as possible. This would fit well with the ultimate purpose of the dogs being tested for both types of training. In police work the dog must be able to dig down deep inside himself or herself to find the courage and aggression to confront a criminal and/or to search independently and at great distance from the handler. In SAR the handler is usually closer to the dog and is able to praise and encourage him, especially in extended searches. There is also generally all kinds of activity and distraction at a search scene so the dog must be able to filter out the extraneous activity and focus on her job. Both tests are fascinating to watch as is the difference in the pups’ responses in each test.

Results are listed after the description of each part of the Test. At the bottom, test results are listed for GloryToo (Lovely’s mother), Lively (Lovely’s grandmother) and Lively’s mother & grandmother (Lovely’s maternal great-grandmother and great-great grandmother), as well as Chaos (Lovely’s grandfather). Lovely’s sire, Quasi, was bought as an adult and his breeder hadn’t done any puppy testing.

Police/Narcotics Tests

1. 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.

Rating – Comments
Average
“10 seconds before recognition”

2. Pain Sensitivity The loose skin over the ribs is gently pinched and the pup’s reaction is noted. Ideal reaction is to notice the pinch but be unconcerned by it. We also look for a willingness to forgive the tester.

Rating – Comments
Excellent
“Good”

3. Retrieve 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.

Rating – Comments
Average
“Lots of prey”

4. Perseverance Then perseverance is evaluated by seeing how enthusiastically they will pursue, grab hold, and tug on a rope sack. Ideal reaction is to pursue enthusiastically, grasp with a full mouth bite, tug and do everything possible to posses the object. If a sack is used, we like to see a pup get its whole body on the sack in an effort to subdue it.

Rating – Comments
Above average
“Pretty good; nice bite”

5. Fear A metal can filled with metal items (horseshoes, nails, bolts, etc.) is dropped behind them from a height of about 2 feet while they are looking away from it. Will the pup hold its ground and then go look at what dropped from nowhere? Excellent reaction is to acknowledge and turn towards the sound and then confidently go see what made the racket. The tester encourages the pup to investigate, if it doesn’t on its own. She notes how much encouragement is needed. I find most of my pups look towards the racket and keep on playing with the toy they had, rather than stopping their play to go investigate.

Rating – Comments
Above average
“Nice – came around and put head in bucket”

6. Courage and Aggression Courage and aggression is evaluated using an electric train that when turned on moves erratically, whistles loudly, clanks, etc. Will they stand their ground? Will they go investigate it? Excellent reaction is to go to the moving, clanking train and check it out. Extremely excellent reaction is to actually attack it while it moves. Good reaction is to investigate it after the tester turns it off. The tester encourages the pup to investigate after it is turned off, if it wouldn’t while it was “whistling” and moving. She notes how much encouragement is needed.

Rating – Comments
Above average
“Good – after it was off, sniffed up & down”

7. Surprise The last test involves getting the pup to chase you (or a toy) towards a place with a hidden person, from behind which an umbrella is opened suddenly and then lowered to the ground, still open. The pups are evaluated on how they recover from being startled and if they’ll go investigate. Ideal reaction is for the pup to startle but hold its ground, then move right up to check out the umbrella. A super excellent reaction is to go up and bite it and/or walk all over it. The tester encourages the pup to investigate after the umbrella is on the top step, if it doesn’t on its own. She notes how much encouragement is needed.

Rating – Comments
Above average
“OK – stopped then circled around and left”

Search And Rescue Tests

Submission The submission test is designed to give an idea of the pup’s tractability, trust in humans, and willingness to submit to a human’s directives. In the submission test the pup is held firmly on its back for a short period of time. The tester counts the seconds it takes for him to resist, then accept, the restraint. She should not passively accept the restraint, nor should she panic or show avoidance of eye contact. Ideal reaction is to resist, then submit and look the tester in the face. We also look for a willingness to forgive the tester.

Rating – Comments
Above average
“Good – 12 seconds before looked at me”

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.

Rating – Comments
Above average
“20 seconds”

Unstable Footing Since SAR dogs will search in all kinds of terrain and areas of destruction, they must be confident in insecure situations. We used a tarp, packing paper and some big sheets of bubble wrap.

Rating – Comments
Excellent
“Very good”

Cadaver A jar with human cadaver scent was opened and placed a distance away. Pups were drawn to the general area by dragging a rope toy that they pursued, then the tester stood quietly and noted if their noses led them to the scent and whether they liked it or not.

Rating – Comments
Excellent
“Nice – licked & tried opening jar”

Wildlife Scat One of these pups was to go to a biologist to help with research projects by locating bat nests and wolverine lairs. Bird nests were suggested for the test since bat and wolverine scent wasn’t available. Two buckets with lids but having holes in the sides, each containing a bird’s nest, were placed about 10′. Pups were drawn to the general area by dragging a rope toy that they pursued, then the tester stood quietly and gave them time to investigate if they desired. If a pup didn’t notice the nest, Suzan opened the lid and tapped on the bucket.

Rating – Comments
Minimal
“Not too interested”

Hunt for Food I This test begins with a piece of jerky tied on a string and dragged to attract the pup’s interest and see how interested it is, how hard it will work to get it, and how hard it will work to keep it as the tester jerks, tugs and generally prevents the pup from easily eating it. She then entices the pup to follow it to the area where she has hidden food (test 2).

Rating – Comments
Above average
“Good chase of food”

Hunt for Food II Suzan hid treats in the middle of the room. The pups had to use their noses to find where the treats were. They were judged on how they followed her direction for where to search and how systematic their searching was.

Rating – Comments
Excellent
“Nice & methodical; used both eyes & nose”

Summary

Excellent: Sensitivity, Cadaver, Unstable Footing, Hunt for Food II
Above average: Confidence, Perseverance, Fear, Aggression & Courage, Surprise, Submission, Hunt for Food I
Average: Attachment, Retrieve ball, Retrieve toy
Minimal: Wildlife scat

GloryToo’s Temperament Test 2013 (maternal grandmother of this litter)
The GG Litter was tested at 50 Days. See test scores for entire litter.

Janet & Bonnie were unable to come test the GG litter so I only have Suzan’s police/narcotics test results, and the few SAR tests she does in this instance, for GloryToo.

Test – Rating – Comments

Acceptance/Attachment: Excellent; “Very nice, acknowledged & then wanted to get down.”

Pain Sensitivity: Excellent; “Good reaction: wagged tail, licked hand”

Retrieve: Average on ball; minimal on toy; “OK. Once she got into it, was good. Not much interest in toys.”

Perseverance: Above Average; “Good. Not a full bite but liked the prey aspect.”

Fear (can of bolts): Above Average; “Good. Investigated when encouraged to.”

Courage and Aggression (electric train): Average; “Kept a distance from train but came & looked at it.”

Surprise: Minimal; “Ran away & then returned when verbally encouraged.”

Submission: Excellent; “Good eye contact right away & wanted up.”

Confidence: Excellent; “Nice – no problem”

Unstable Footing: Excellent

Hunt for Food I: Above Average; “Good. Systematic.”

Hunt for Food II: Above Average; “Very Good. Used nose – willing to work with handler.”

Tester Comments: Nice girl overall – very social & sound – Happy!

Chaos’ Temperament Tests, 2006
(Lovely’s grandfather; maternal great-grandfather of this litter)

Chaos’ breeder did not do a formal temperament test, so Suzan did the police/narcotics test when he arrived.
He was 8 weeks old.

Attachment: Above Average; “Nice! No problem with adjustment.”
Sensitivity: Excellent
Retrieve: Average; “Somewhat interested in other things as well. Easily encouraged.”
Perseverance: Average; “Very nice. Looked at other objects.”
Fear: Excellent; “Looked at can, then went about business.”
Aggression & Courage: Excellent; “Did everything but pick it up. (toy used was an electric train that when turned on moved erratically, whistled loudly, clanked, etc.)
Surprise: Above Average; “Not fair test but no problem. Looked at umbrella and investigated person.”
Submission: Above Average; “5 seconds. Was squirming. Made eye contact once.”
Hunt for Toy: Above Average; “Pretty good. Couldn’t decide which toy he liked better.”
Hunt for Food: Above Average; “Very good. Fairly systematic.”

Tester Comments: Nice pup – very solid and courageous. Has a good bit, full mouthed with toys and pull toy. Nice reaction to train and umbrella. Gets along with other dogs well (met her dogs afterwards). Good nose – found food easily and liked looking for it, followed direction of handler. Nicely encouraged. Great little boy!

Lively’s Temperament Tests 2010
(Lovely’s grandmother; maternal great-grandmother of this litter)

Search And Rescue Test by Janet Wilts, done at 52 & 53 days of age (10 is top score)
SAR & Schutzhund prospect

Day/Rating/Comments
Saturday: 9 – 10; “Confident, good prey”
Sunday: 10; ” Good nose, good eye contact, good prey, good tug”

Lively’s Police Dog/Narcotics Dog Temperament Test, done at 54 days
Since Janet can seldom come to test my pups, Suzan and I over the years have incorporated most of the SAR exercises into our testing. This was especially nice this time because Janet was unable to do her regular tests due to the weather.

Test/Rating/Comments
Acceptance/Attachment: Excellent; “Great. Ran up, licked & nipped at my face.”
Pain Sensitivity: Excellent; “Excellent!!”
Retrieve: Above Average; “Lots of chase – no bringing.”
Perseverance: Excellent; “LOTS of prey, good speed.”
Courage and Aggression: Above Average; “Good!! “
Fear: Above Average; “Good – didn’t investigate.”
Surprise: Above Average; “OK – looked and stopped.”

Lively’s Search And Rescue Test

Test/Rating/Comments
Submission & Confidence: Above Average; “Good – no eye contact right away.”
Unstable Footing: Excellent
Hunt for Toy: Above Average; “Stayed with specific toy for a long time.”
Hunt for Food: Excellent; “Great. Not intimidated, willing to go the distance.”

Tester Comments: Full of “Reckless Abandonment.” Fantastic. Good full mouth bite. Drug on blanket (perseverance test). Cel’s note: What Suzan is referring to is that she had her whole body on the blanket and stayed there while Suzan drug her all around.)

Summary

Rating/Tests
Excellent: Sensitivity, Perseverance, Hunt for Food, Attachment
Above Average: Submission, Aggression/Courage, Retrieve, Fear, Hunt for Toy, Surprise

Quinta’s Temperament Tests 2004
(Lively’s mother; Lovely’s great-grandmother; maternal great-great-grandmother of this litter)

The Q Litter was tested on October 30th & 31st, when they were 46 & 47 days old. Results are listed after the description of each part of the Test. An extensive Search & Rescue test was done on the 30th, with some retesting on the 31st after the police/narcotics test, if the SAR tester (Janet) hadn’t been satisfied with the pup’s reactions the day before. For the SAR test, we took the pups to a rural schoolyard which had a very large grassy field. Heavy rain the day before made the field too soggy for the entire test, so most of the exercises were done in the playground area which is deep in wood chips. The chips proved to be way too highly tempting to the pups and Janet had to clear their mouths often to get them to go after the toys rather than the chips. Results are listed after the description of each part of the Test. You will note that some exercises are done in both tests and other exercises are unique to one test or the other. Janet was the primary tester, with

Kelly, another SAR person, adding her ratings on some tests. A table with scores from every phase of the test is listed after the test explanation. Pups reactions are rated on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being excellent.

Temperament Test 1: the Search & Rescue test

Tug, Prey Drive, Chase, Retrieve Drive, Bite The first series of tests involve the pup’s desire to play, chase the toy, how well the pup bites and hold the toy when he or she gets it, and whether the pup will bring it back to the tester.

Tug
Janet: 10+, “Really grips.”
Kelly: 10

Prey
Janet: 10
Kelly: 10

Retrieve
Janet: 5
Kelly: 6

Bite:
Janet: 10
Kelly: 10

Chase:
Janet: 10
Kelly: 10

Strange Noise, Unstable Surface The pups are exposed to both a strange, potentially scary noise and an unstable surface. In this particular test we used a plastic tarp draped over a camp chair. Janet also invented some additional tests by asking the pups to negotiate a metal grating on the playground equipment, to climb a series of wood sections that ended with a widow and a 6’ drop to the ground. Janet tested the pups’ trust by handing them down to a helper and noting their reactions.

Unstable Surface
Janet: 10
Kelly: 10

Noise
Janet: 10
Kelly: 10

Hunt for Food and Hunt for Toys The pups are tested to determine their desire to find the toy when it’s hidden, and to find food. The toy was hidden under the tarp and the pup encouraged to look for it. A piece of bacon on a string was drug and bounced past the pups to test their desire to use their noses when they couldn’t see the bacon. Janet took off fast with the bacon drag and ran way out into the field behind the school. Quinta was one of only three pups that noticed this first run; Janet had to repeat it twice more to give all pups a chance to be tested. It is fascinating to see those little noses go to the ground and guide the galloping pups after Janet when she outruns them.

Hunt for Food
Janet: 10

Hunt for Toy
Janet: no

Submission, Forgiveness, Socialability The pups are graded on their desire to interact with and play with the tester. For the submission test, each pup was placed on its back and held down firmly for about 10 seconds. Desirable reaction includes struggle followed by acceptance. Undesirable reactions include total passivity or frantic struggle with refusal to “give” to the human, or trying to bite. The pup is judged afterwards on its willingness to forgive the tester for the submission test. The pup is also held in the air at arm’s length to judge its confidence in being unsupported.

Submission
Janet: 8
Kelly: 8

Forgiveness
Janet: 10
Kelly: 10

Socialability
Janet: 10
Kelly: 10

Trust
Janet: 10
Kelly: 10

Confidence Janet also invented some additional tests by asking the pups to negotiate a metal grating on the playground equipment, to climb a series of wood sections that ended with a widow and a 6’ drop to the ground. Janet then further tested the pups’ trust and confidence by handing them down to a helper and noting their reactions.

Temperament Test 2: The police dog/narcotics dog test

Saturday had been a beautiful day, but Sunday brought a storm with wind and rain mixed with snow. We had to do the test in a large unheated garage. The police test is quite different from the Search & Rescue Test. The main difference I noticed in the SAR test was that the testers played with the pups at the same time, and evaluated them for all of the above as they played with them. They were also much more physically active and used excited voices and clapping to encourage the pups, while the tester in the police test is very calm and low key, asking the pups to draw the excitement forth from within themselves. Another difference was that other people stood around just feet from and in full view of each pup as it was tested. In the police test only the tester is within sight or scent of the pup during the testing and everyone was required to be very quiet.

Suzan was the main tester, with Janet hiding to open the umbrella on the surprise test. Janet also gave ratings on some of the test.

Test/ Rating/Comments

Acceptance/Attachment
Suzan: Excellent
Janet: 8

Pain Sensitivity
Suzan: Excellent

Retrieve
Suzan: High Average
Janet: 5

Unstable Surfaces
Suzan: Excellent
Janet: 10

Perseverance
Suzan: Excellent
Janet: Tug 10; prey 10

Courage and Aggression
Suzan: Above Average
Janet: 10

Fear
Suzan: Excellent
Janet: 10

Surprise
Suzan: Excellent
Janet: 10

Submission
Suzan: Above Average

Forgiveness
Suzan: Above Average
Janet: Medium

Social
Suzan: Above Average
Janet: 8

Tester Comments: Very nice, independent pup. For the most part, full bites & lots of interest. Puts full body into what she is doing. Very curious and friendly.

Jubilee’s Temperament Test 1998
(Quinta’s mother; maternal great-great-great-grandmother of this litter)
Jubilee was tested at 52 days; she was th eonly one in the litter.

This was Suzan’s straight police/narcotics test, before Janet’s Search & Rescue influence caused us to incorporate more items into our test.

Test/Rating/Comments

Attachment: Excellent; “Had no problem following another person.”
Sensitivity: Excellent; “High pain tolerance – came back to handler.”
Retrieve: Above Average; “No retrieve – did not bring back.”
Perseverance: Above Average; “Chased everything.”
Fear: Excellent; “No reaction – turned and looked into can.”
Aggression & Courage: Above Average; “Stood over and sniffed.”
Surprise: Excellent; “Stopped. Barked. Looked at umbrella.”