Chaos’ Temperament Test Results

Chaos’ Temperament Test

Chaos’ breeder did not do a formal temperament test, so Suzan, my tester, did one when he arrived. He was 8 weeks old.

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.  
Chaos’ Rating:  Above Average.
Nice! No problem with adjustment.

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.
Chaos’ Rating:  Excellent

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. 
Chaos; Rating:  Average.
Somewhat interested in other things as well. Easily encouraged.

Perseverance: Then perseverance is evaluated by seeing how enthusiastically they will pursue, grab hold, and tug on a sack. Ideal reaction is to pursue enthusiastically, grasp with a full mouth bite, tug and do everything possible to posses the sack. We like to see a pup get its whole body on the sack in an effort to subdue it. 
Chaos’ Rating:  Average.
Very nice. Looked at other objects.

Fear:  Then a metal coffee can filled with metal items (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.  
Chaos’ Rating:  Excellent.
Looked at can, then went about business.

Aggression & Courage:  Next, courage and aggression was evaluated using an very loud battery-operated toy that when turned on also moves erratically. 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 “singing” and moving. She notes how much encouragement is needed.
Chaos’ Rating:  Excellent.
Did everything but pick it up. (toy used was an electric train that when turned on moved erratically, whistled loudly, clanked, etc.)

Surprise:  The last test involves getting the pup to chase you (or a toy or the burlap sack) towards a doorway, from behind which an umbrella is opened suddenly and then lowered to the ground, still open. They 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 ground, if it doesn’t on its own. She notes how much encouragement is needed. 
Chaos’ Rating:  Above Average.
Not fair test but no problem. Looked at umbrella and investigated person.

 

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.
Chaos’ Rating:  Above Average.
5 seconds. Was squirming. Made eye contact once.

Hunt for Toy:  The tester will play with the pup with a toy, then suddenly hide it under the tarp or other object to see if the pup will search for it, using its nose.
Chaos’ Rating:  Above Average.
Pretty good. Couldn’t decide which toy he liked better.

Hunt for Food:  As part of the game she’s playing with the pup, asking it to use its nose to find pieces of food, the tester will place pieces of food under the tarp and planks so that the pup must actively use its nose to find all the food.  
Chaos’ Rating:  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!

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