PP Litter Police Dog/Narcotics Dog Temperament Test
The PP Litter was tested at 51 Days
Mr. White went to Colorado for competition in obedience, tracking, agility, dock diving, barn hunt, rally and Schutzhund, and possibly breeding. Mr. Yellow went to Montana to be a therapy dog and to compete in rally, nosework and possibly agility. Miss Purple went to western Wyoming to be a therapy dog and do training but probably not any competition. She is their 4th dog from me. Mr. Black went to Ohio and Mr. Red to South Dakota, both as therapy dogs and to be family pets. Mr. Black is their third dog from me. The others went to be pets: Mr. Orange went to Alaska, while Mr. Green & Mr. Blue went to Colorado.
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), Spirit (mother), Lively (grandmother) and Lively’s mother & grandmother (maternal great-grandmother and great-great grandmother). Last year Suzan decided to change her test form. She compared what she was doing with other temperament tests and added what she liked from them. After using it on the MM litter, we thought of improvements we could make. After using it on the OO litter, I asked her to separate what she now calls the sound sensitivity tests (train and can), which she did, creating another section in the form. However, she didn’t create a separate line for a couple of horns that she added, so there’s still a little confusion on the rating on them. Suzan 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.
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
Black Male: Excellent
Blue Male: Average-good
Green Male: Excellent
Orange Male: Excellent
Purple Female: Excellent
Red Male: Excellent; “Immediate”
White Male: Excellent; “10 seconds”
Yellow Male: Above average; “4 seconds. Acknowledged handler right away.”
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
Black Male: Above average
Blue Male: Average – good; “Good”
Green Male: Above average
Orange Male: Above average
Purple Female: Excellent
Red Male: Excellent
White Male: Above average; “Very nice”
Yellow 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
Black Male: Excellent; “20 seconds”
Blue Male: Excellent; “20 seconds”
Green Male: Above average
Orange Male: Excellent
Purple Female: Excellent; “24 seconds”
Red Male: Excellent; “20 seconds”
White Male: Above average; “No eye contact”
Yellow Male: Excellent; “20 seconds”
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
All Excellent! No additional observations.
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
Black Male: Minimal
Blue Male: Minimal; “nice”
Green Male: Above average
Orange Male: Above average; “20 seconds”
Purple Female: Excellent; “25 seconds”
Red Male: Excellent
White Male: Minimal; “good”
Yellow Male: Above average; “20 seconds, struggled”
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
Black Male: Insufficient; “Lots of prey on retrieve. Would hold onto object and drag.”
Blue Male: Above average; ” Chased/retrieved certain objects.”
Green Male: Excellent; “Liked rubber toys.”
Orange Male: Insufficient; “Very tuned into person. Not much retrieve or prey but lots of interest in things around him.”
Purple Female: Excellent/Above average; “Retrieved 2 – 3 times, another 2-3 times chased but didn’t pick up. Not high prey or retrieve drive but definitely likes people.”
Red Male: Excellent; “12 times”
White Male: Excellent
Yellow Male: Above average
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
Black Male: Average – good
Blue Male: Excellent
Green Male: Average – good
Orange Male: Average – good
Purple Female: Average – good
Red Male: Average – good
White Male: Above average
Yellow Male: Average – good
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/ Additional Observations
Black Male: Minimal; “Front bite. Tail up & down.”
Blue Male: Average – good; “Front bite.”
Green Male: Above average; “Better, more full bite on tug.”
Orange Male: Insufficient
Purple Female: Above average; “Front bite”
Red Male: Above average
White Male: Average – good; “Front bite”
Yellow Male: Average – good; “Good, full bite most of time.”
9a. Sound sensitivity 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. Suzan also included use of two horns.
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
Black Male: Minimal; “Didn’t like horns.”
Blue Male: Minimal
Green Male: Minimal; “Investigated when encouraged.”
Orange Male: Minimal
Purple Female: Minimal; “Easily encouraged to look at objects.”
Red Male: Average – good; “Nice reaction – stopped, walked up to investigate.”
White Male: Average – good
Yellow Male: Average – good
9b. Sound sensitivity 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.
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
Black Male: Average – good
Blue Male: Minimal
Green Male: Above average
Orange Male: Average – good
Purple Female: Above average; “Easily encouraged to try & look at objects.”
Red Male: Above average; “Nice reaction – stopped and walked up to investigate.”
White Male: Average – good
Yellow Male: Above average
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
Black Male: Average – good
Blue Male: Minimal
Green Male: Average – good
Orange Male: Above average
Purple Female: Above average
Red Male: Above average
White Male: Average – good
Yellow Male: Above average
Tester Comments:
Black male: Curious. Likes voice & people.
Blue male: Needs people.
Green male: Very people oriented.
Orange male: Interested in big stuffed bear. Very tuned into person.
Purple female: Definitely likes people.
Red Male: Happy boy. Possibly more submissive??
White male: Nice boy. Liked handler. More of a talker.
Summary
Note that all pups do not have all six possible rating lines, only the ratings they received are listed.
Pup/ Rating/Tests
Black Male:
Excellent: Social Attachment, Restraint/Submission, Social Dominance
Above average: Following
Average-good: Sensitivity, Sound Sensitivity (train), Surprise/Stability
Minimal: Confidence/Elevation, Prey/Perseverance, Sound Sensitivity (can)
Insufficient: Retrieve ball/toy
Blue Male:
Excellent: Restraint/Submission
Above average: Retrieve ball/toy
Average-good: Social Attachment, Following, Prey/Perseverance
Minimal: Confidence/Elevation, Sound Sensitivity (both train & can), Surprise/Stability
Green Male:
Excellent: Social Attachment, Social Dominance, Retrieve ball/toy
Above average: Following, Restraint/Submission, Confidence/Elevation, Prey/Perseverance, Sound Sensitivity (train)
Average-good: Sensitivity, Surprise/Stability
Minimal: Sound Sensitivity (can)
Orange Male:
Excellent: Social Attachment, Restraint/Submission, Social Dominance
Above average: Following, Confidence/Elevation, Surprise/Stability
Average-good: Sensitivity, Sound Sensitivity (train)
Minimal: Sound Sensitivity (can)
Insufficient: Retrieve ball/toy, Prey/Perseverance
Purple Female:
Excellent: Social Attachment, Following, Restraint/Submission, Social Dominance, Confidence/Elevation, Retrieve ball/toy
Above average: Retrieve ball/toy, Sound Sensitivity (train), Surprise/Stability
Average-good: Sensitivity, Prey/Perseverance
Minimal: Sound Sensitivity (can)
Red Male:
Excellent: Social Attachment, Following, Restraint/Submission, Social Dominance, Confidence/Elevation, Retrieve ball/toy
Above average: Sound Sensitivity (train), Surprise/Stability
Average-good: Sensitivity, Prey/Perseverance, Sound Sensitivity (can)
White Male:
Excellent: Social Attachment, Social Dominance, Retrieve ball/toy
Above average: Following, Restraint/Submission, Sensitivity, Sound Sensitivity (train)
Average-good: Prey/Perseverance, Sound Sensitivity (can), Surprise/Stability
Minimal: Confidence/Elevation
Yellow Male:
Excellent: Restraint/Submission, Social Dominance
Above average: Social Attachment, Following, Confidence/Elevation, Retrieve ball/toy, Sound Sensitivity (train), Surprise/Stability
Average-good: Sensitivity, Prey/Perseverance, Sound Sensitivity (can)
Comparison
Social Attachment
Excellent: Black, Green, Orange, Purple, Red, White
Above average: Yellow
Average-good: Blue
Following
Excellent: Purple, Red
Above average: Black, Green, Orange, White, Yellow
Average-good: Blue
Restraint/Submission
Excellent: Black, Blue, Orange, Purple, Red, Yellow
Above average: Green, White
Social Dominance
Excellent: ALL
Confidence/Elevation
Excellent: Purple, Red
Above average: Green, Orange, Yellow
Minimal: Black, Blue, White
Retrieve ball/toy
Excellent: Green, Purple, Red, White
Above average: Blue, Purple, Yellow
Insufficient: Black, Orange
Sensitivity (pinch)
Excellent: Blue
Above average: White
Average-good: Black, Green, Orange, Purple, Red, Yellow
Prey/Perseverance
Above average: Green
Average-good: Blue, Purple, Red, White, Yellow
Minimal: Black
Insufficient: Orange
Sound Sensitivity (can)
Average-good: Red, White, Yellow
Minimal: Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Purple
Sound Sensitivity (train)
Above average: Green, Purple, Red, White, Yellow
Average-good: Black, Orange
Minimal: Blue
Surprise (umbrella)
Above average: Orange, Purple, Red, Yellow
Average-good: Black, Green, White
Minimal: Blue
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 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
No Comments
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.”
Spirit’s Police/Narcotics Temperament Test (mother of this litter)
Test/Rating/Comments
Acceptance/Attachment: Excellent; “Very nice. Noticed me immediately and gave kisses.”
Pain Sensitivity: Excellent; “Good”
Retrieve: Minimal; “Would chase often but not bring back.”
Perseverance: Average-good; “OK”
Fear: Average, “Looked at can but no overreaction.”
Courage and Aggression: Average-good; “OK, moved off slightly and watched.”
Surprise: Average-good; Jumped but stood ground and looked.”
Submission: Above Average; “She gave me eye contact within the first three seconds and then started rolling and crawled and pushed her way up and out after 10 seconds.”
Confidence: Above average
Hunt for Food I: Above Average; “She really uses her nose and was able to pick up the scent prior to me even starting the food search.”
Hunt for food II: Above Average; “Nice. Definitely uses nose & picks up scent really well.”
Tester Comments: Good pup. Not high retrieve drive but good prey drive. Definitely SAR prospect. Will look to handler for instructions/guidance but may not naturally work at a long distance. Not a police candidate.
Spirit’s SAR Test
Two SAR testers, Janet Wilts & Bonnie Whitman, did this test. (10 is top score)
Rating is followed by any comments in quotes.
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.
Janet: 9
Bonnie: 10; “tail up”
Eye Contact (Janet only)
Janet: 2
Independence (Bonnie only)
Bonnie: independent
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.
Janet: 7
Bonnie: 10; “no panic”
Pain Sensitivity
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10
Retrieve Toy
Janet: N/A
Bonnie: 6
Retrieve Ball
Janet: (8 on notes); “More into keeping toy/ball than Mr. Blue.”
Bonnie: 6; “Eye contact, faced person – more ready to take it and leave in order to keep it.”
Retrieve Metal Object Tester tosses a set of car keys or other piece of metal and observes to see if pup will put mouth on it, pick it up and/or retrieve it.
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 9; “Picked it up but would get the plastic fob instead of the metal.”
Strange Object (Lamb) We put a stuffed rocking sheep about 3′ high off to the side, and drug the tug toy over to get the pup to notice it and to see the pups’ reactions. A lot of times things like that will blow a puppy’s mind and it will bark and carry on, but she went right up to it and wanted to bite it, wanted the moving rockers.
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10; “Approached tail up and was into biting when it moved.”
Perseverance (Chase) Then perseverance is evaluated by seeing how enthusiastically they will pursue and grab hold of an object. Ideal reaction is to pursue enthusiastically and grasp with a full mouth bite.
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10; “Adjusted for better bite when she could, made eye contact.”
Tug (Janet only) Ideal reaction is a full mouth bite, tug and do everything possible to posses the object. We like to see a pup get its whole body on the sack in an effort to subdue it.
Janet: 10 – 9; “Tug with green ball: She’s controlling the game.”
Prey Drive Strength of desire to chase and attack is evaluated.
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10; “Very aware of everything, engaged right away.”
Hunt for Toy While playing with ball or soft toy, hide it and encourage pup to use nose to find. Interest? How long will pup search? Uses nose or eyes?
Janet: 7; “No interest in searching for green ball under carpet; when hid fox tug she showed more interest in attacking the carpet than looking underneath, second time did look under…”
Bonnie: 6; “She stayed in the area, just didn’t seem to understand the “game” when the toy was gone & engaged with the carpet rather than hunt for the toy. She was more motivated with the food component, and this was done after the umbrella surprise event.
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.
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10; “Great prolonged hunt – good nose!”
Hunt for Food II Janet placed treats on and under a tarp. The pups had to use their noses to find where the meat was. They were judged on how they how they used their noses and how systematic their searching was.
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10
Cadaver A jar with human cadaver scent was opened and placed a distance away. Both pups showed immediate and enthusiastic reactions to it, honing in quickly from a distance and ignoring the treats Janet offered as rewards, trying to push her hands away so that they could get to the scent jar. No aversion at all.
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10; “Very interested and used nose to completely search it out after the first sniff. Not that interested in the food reward (especially since she was all about the food earlier), but was much more interested in getting to the cadaver source. No aversion at all – instead a very heightened interest in this new smell.”
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 and a float cushion on top of pieces of plywood resting on pvc pipes, plus a strip of plywood on a wooden sawhorse set on its slide, which made a see saw.
Janet: 10; “seesaw = 10”
Bonnie: 10
Runaway Tester shows pup food, gets its interest, then runs away. She observes how eagerly the pup comes and how naturally it uses its nose to find her once she hides. This test was only done on Day 1.
Janet: 10
Bonnie: 10; “All about that food. No hesitation going to stranger to get it. Used her nose.”
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.
Janet: 8
Bonnie: 7; “Didn’t submit – she was mad! No panic, just determined to get up.”
Courage and Aggression Courage and aggression is evaluated using a police car that when turned on plays sirens and loud voices. Will they stand their ground? Will they go investigate it? Excellent reaction is to go to the car 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 making noise. She notes how much encouragement is needed.
Janet: 8
Bonnie: 8; “Not really interested in the car but not afraid of it either.”
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.
Janet: 8
Bonnie: 8; “Ran off a few feet but came back with a wary eye on the can.”
Surprise This 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.
Janet: 6; “Did come back but ran away again.”
Bonnie: 8; “Seemed “betrayed” by this event. I think she likes to control her world and this lack of control flustered her for a while.”
Interaction with Strange Dog
Janet: 10; “Stressed but wanted to check out.”
Bonnie: 10; “Sought some support when he barked but remained engaged and wanted to check out on her terms.”
Tester Comments (from Bonnie; none from Janet):
Nice dog!!! Very confident, independent, mind of her own! Explores things, takes life in stride. Wants to be in control of her world. I think she will be very loyal but independent thinking girl!
Lively’s Temperament Tests (maternal 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 (Lively’s mother; maternal 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. Pup’s 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 (Quinta’s mother, Lively’s great-grandmother; maternal great-great-grandmother of this litter)
Jubilee was 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.
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.”
to PP Litter Search and Rescue test results