GG Litter Temperament Test
The GG Litter was tested at 50 Days
Miss Pink (Soleil) went to Nebraska with an experienced handler for serious obedience, agility and tracking competition. She ended up doing Search & Rescue plus breeding. I kept Miss Gold (GloryToo) for nosework and tracking competition and breeding. Mr. Blue went to Montana as a pet and ended up being a service dog for his injured owner. Mr. Green stayed in Sheridan for agility, obedience and tracking training/competition and to be a therapy dog, then moved to PA with his family when they retired. Miss Purple went to South Dakota and has done a lot of training, but her owner’s health problems prevented competition. Mr. Red went to South Dakota as a pet and for fun training. Miss Yellow went to Iowa as a pet.
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 sixteen 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 our testing. Suzan tested the pup in the order their test sheets happened to be on the clipboard, which just happened to have the males first and females after.
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 is enthusiastic and uses lots of verbal praise and body movements to get the pup “up” and gives lots of praise. Other people are sometimes present, walking around, talking, and generally making for a noisy, busy environment. 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.
Police/Narcotics Test
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.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Above Average
Nice acknowledgement
Gold Female: Excellent
Very nice, acknowledged & then wanted to get down.
Green Male: Excellent
Immediate
Multi Male: Above average
10 sec
Pink Female: Average
OK. No good eye contact but did lick me after 10 sec
Purple Female: Above Average
Good. Took notice of me & then would check in throughout the test.
Red Male: Minimal
Didn’t recognize me for quite a while.
Yellow Female: Above Average
Good. Recognized me early on.
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.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Above Average
Great
Gold Female: Excellent
Good reaction: wagged tail, licked hand
Green Male: Excellent
Very nice
Multi Male: Above Average
Nice
Pink Female: Above Average
OK. Looked at hand, no problem
Purple Female: Excellent
Good. Came & licked fingers.
Red Male: Above Average
Nice reaction
Yellow Female: Above Average
Nice
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.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Minimal
Didn’t retrieve at all but liked to see
Gold Female: Average on ball
OK. Once she got into it, was good
Minimal on toy
Not much interest in toys
Green Male: Above Average on both ball & toy
Retrieve not all there for ball or toys
Multi Male: Above Average on both ball & toy
Nice. Most times brought them back
Pink Female: Average on both ball and toy.
Liked to check it out, stop & lie down with both ball & toy
Purple Female: Average on both ball & toy
1 retrieve. Some interest in chasing & holding it there.
Red Male: Minimal on both ball & toy
Interested to look but not chase or retrieve.
Yellow Female: Minimal on both ball & toy
1 retrieve. Otherwise some interest in prey but no retrieve.
4. 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.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Average
OK
Gold Female: Above Average
Good. Not a full bite but liked the prey aspect.
Green Male: Excellent
Nice
Multi Male: Excellent
Good. Likes movement
Pink Female: Above Average
Liked the tug of war.
Purple Female: Above Average
Good! Liked the tug of war – put entire body into the hold & tug
Red Male: Minimal
OK. Would engage with pulling back on toy.
Yellow Female: Average
Good. Would tug a little but let go.
5. 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.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Average
OK. Sat & watched train.
Gold Female: Average.
Kept a distance from train but came & looked at it.
Green Male: Above Average
Nice. Wasn’t bothered by it & approached to see what it was from a safe distance.
Multi Male: Above Average
Good. Looked & was interested.
Pink Female: Average
Nice. Stayed at a distance to watch & then came up to look when encouraged.
Purple Female: Average
Left to a safe distance and observed, then coaxed very easily to come & look.
Red Male: Above Average
OK. Watched & kept distance but no problem.
Yellow Female: Average
Kept distance from train – no investigation
6. Fear A metal pan 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.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Average
OK. Not too startled.
Gold Female: Above Average
Good. Investigated when encouraged to.
Green Male: Above Average
Good. No big reaction. Didn’t investigate.
Multi Male: Above Average
No big reaction. No investigation.
Pink Female: Above Average
Good. No big reaction.
Purple Female: Above Average
OK. Coaxed verbally up to can.
Red Male: Average
OK. Didn’t investigate but not bothered.
Yellow Female: Average
OK. No bad reaction but no investigation.
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 umbrella this year was opened with great vigor. 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.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Minimal
Didn’t like but would walk back.
Gold Female: Minimal
Ran away & then returned when verbally encouraged.
Green Male: Minimal
Left area but encouraged to come back.
Multi Male: Low Average to High Minimal
Didn’t like it.
Pink Female: Minimal
Ran away & stopped. Looked back and returned when encouraged verbally.
Purple Female: Average
Took off & ran to safe distance but came easily back when verbally encouraged.
Red Male: Minimal
Ran across room but verbally encouraged back to area.
Yellow Female: Minimal
Light yelp & ran away, stopped at safe distance.
Search And Rescue Test
Submission Test 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.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Minimal
Never really struggled but gave eye contact.
Gold Female: Excellent
Good eye contact right away & wanted up.
Green Male: Above Average
10 sec & good eye contact
Multi Male: Average
30 sec. Did not totally accept.
Pink Female: Average
Struggled for 30 seconds & never gave eye contact.
Purple Female: Above Average
Good! 10 sec & struggled to get up.
Red Male: Above Average
OK 5 – 6 seconds & then struggled
Yellow Female: Above Average
Good 6 – 7 seconds, eye contact then struggled
Confidence 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.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Average
Good – not too concerned.
Gold Female: Excellent
Nice – no problem
Green Male: Excellent
Good!
Multi Male: Above Average
Struggled to get free after 8 sec
Pink Female: Above Average
Good – no struggle or problem
Purple Female: Excellent
Great
Red Male: Average
Good
Yellow Female: Above Average
Good 15 – 20 sec
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. All the pups were fine.
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.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Average to Minimal
OK not as food motivated as others – needed encouragement.
Gold Female: Above Average
Good. Systematic.
Green Male: Excellent
Very good. Liked the string and had the fullest mouth bite.
Multi Male: Excellent
Very good. Got his treats and settled in.
Pink Female: Above Average
Pulled on string. Wanted it as her own.
Purple Female: Above Average
Pretty nice! She pulled string – got food she wanted.
Red Male: Minimal
Didn’t like the string or the salmon jerky.
Yellow Female: Excellent
Loved tug & wanted food. Loved the string & food.
Hunt for Food II Suzan placed bits of dried meat under a tarp in the middle of the room. The pups had to use their noses to find where the meat was. They were judged on how they followed her direction for where to search and how systematic their searching was.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Average
OK – used nose to search out but not as systematic
Gold Female: Above Average
Very Good. Used nose – willing to work with handler.
Green Male: Above Average
Pretty systematic. Used nose. Didn’t know how to pull back tarp but did well.
Multi Male: Excellent
Used nose & pulled the tarp back on his own. Good use of nose. Systematic.
Pink Female: Above Average
Very good. Systematic & easily encouraged.
Purple Female: Above Average
Pretty good – systematic but not overly so. Missed several larger pieces.
Red Male: Average
Once he started finding lots of food, he used his nose & was systematic.
Yellow Female: Excellent
Great. Systematic search. Noticed smaller pieces under tarp and learned how to get to more easily.
Tester Comments:
Blue Male: Not a high drive pup. Likes verbal encouragement. Food not a strong motivator. Likes people & he is comfortable.
Gold Female: Nice girl overall – very social & sound – Happy!
Green Male: Good solid boy. Pretty good attitude. Nice sniffer on him. Looked to handler well.
Multi Male: Nice pup – solid & good attitude. Likes people. Easily motivated.
Pink Female: Nice girl! Not frantic – very even tempered & solid.
Purple Female: Very social – likes to hear voices & encouragement. Good girl.
Red Male: A little slower in getting motivated for the food but was systematic. A very nice boy – likes people & very friendly
Yellow Female: Good female – nice attitude & personality. Loved the treats.
Summary
Blue
Excellent: none
Above Average: Attachment, Sensitivity
Average: Confidence, Perseverance, Fear, Aggression & Courage, Hunt for Food I, Hunt for Food II
Minimal: Retrieve ball & toy, Surprise, Submission
Gold
Excellent: Attachment, Confidence, Sensitivity, Submission
Above Average: Perseverance, Fear, Hunt for Food I & II
Average: Retrieve ball, Aggression & Courage
Minimal: Retrieve toy
Green
Excellent: Attachment, Confidence, Sensitivity, Perseverance, Hunt for Food I
Above Average: Retrieve Ball, Retrieve Toy, Fear, Aggression & Courage, Submission, Hunt for Food II
Average: none
Minimal: Surprise
Multi
Excellent: Perseverance, Hunt for Food I, Hunt for Food II
Above Average: Attachment, Confidence, Sensitivity, Retrieve Ball, Retrieve Toy, Fear, Aggression & Courage
Average: Submission
Minimal: Surprise
Pink
Excellent: none
Above Average: Confidence, Sensitivity, Perseverance, Fear, Hunt for Food I & II
Average: Attachment, Retrieve Ball, Retrieve Toy, Aggression & Courage, Submission
Minimal: Surprise
Purple
Excellent: Confidence, Sensitivity
Above Average: Attachment, Perseverance, Fear, Submission, Hunt for Food I & II
Average: Retrieve Ball, Retrieve Toy, Aggression & Courage, Surprise
Red
Excellent: none
Above Average: Sensitivity, Aggression & Courage, Submission,
Average: Confidence, Fear, Hunt for Food II
Minimal: Attachment, Retrieve Ball, Retrieve Toy, Perseverance, Surprise, Hunt for Food I
Yellow
Excellent: Hunt for Food I & II
Above Average: Attachment, Confidence, Sensitivity, Submission
Average: Perseverance, Fear, Aggression & Courage
Minimal: Retrieve Ball, Retrieve Toy, Surprise
For interest, I include the puppies’ parents and a grandparent’s temperament test results below. All three of these tests were done by Suzan, former police K9 handler, except for Lively’s first SAR test, done by Janet Wilts.
Chaos
Chaos’ breeder did not do a formal temperament test, so we did one 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
Search And Rescue Test by Janet Wilts, done at 52 & 53 days of age
Rated SAR & Schutzhund prospect (10 is top score)
Saturday: 9 – 10 Confident, good prey
Sunday: 10 Good noise, good eye contact, good prey, good tug
The 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.
1. Acceptance/Attachment
Excellent Great. Ran up, licked & nipped at my face
2. Pain Sensitivity
Excellent Excellent!!
3. Retrieve
Above Average Lots of chase – no bringing
4. Perseverance
Excellent Lots of prey, good speed
5. Courage and Aggression
Above Average Good!!
6. Fear
Above Average Good – didn’t investigate
7. Surprise
Above Average OK – looked and stopped
Search And Rescue Test
Submission & Confidence Tests
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 Multi had her whole body on the blanket and stayed there while Suzan drug her all around.)
Summary
Excellent: Sensitivity, Perseverance, Hunt for Food, Attachment
Above Average: Submission, Aggression/Courage, Retrieve, Fear, Hunt for Toy, Surprise
Jubilee, tested at 52 days (9/6/1998)
This was Suzan’s straight police/narcotics test, before Janet’s Search & Rescue influence caused us to incorporate more items into our test.
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