VV Litter Temperament Test
54 Days Old
12/19/21
Big day for the puppies – their police/narcotics temperament test. And it’s 28 degrees at 5 a.m.! Hurrah!! By the time we headed to the test site, it was 43, and sunny. Luckily, a nice day. I’m very lucky that our trainer’s husband has a landscaping service and the training arena is attached this building, which includes two heated bays for his vehicles – and he graciously empties one so that I can park inside and the puppies are nice and warm the hours that we’re testing.
The puppies tested well. I’m keeping Miss Pink, who is now “Varoom!!” Miss Green goes to southern Utah for Search & rescue. We already knew Mr. Blue went to Davenport, WA. Miss Purple is still available.
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 twenty 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 Bonnie can’t come do the SAR testing, which happened this time due to icy roads.
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). We didn’t do any testing on Hesed (mother) as she was extremely stressed when I got her at 8 weeks, never having been off the place or away from littermates until she was put on the plane.
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.
POLICE/NARCOTICS TEST COMPONENTS:
Social Attachment: Acknowledges new person; dominance or independence
Following: Willingness to follow and acceptance of tester
Confidence/Elevation: Confidence/dominance shown when held in air and has no control
Prey/perseverance: Willingness to chase toy, solidness of bite, use of body to possess
Sound Sensitivity, Can of Rocks: a sudden loud noise behind them, in this case a can of nuts and bolts dropped from about 2’ elevation
Sound Sensitivity, Train: a moving, whistling battery-operated train engine (if they got different ratings for the two objects, that is listed; otherwise they rated the same on both)
Surprise/Stability: umbrella opened suddenly as they pass by; not recovery after initial startle
SAR TEST COMPONENTS:
Metal: See if pup will pick up/carry set of car keys or other piece of metal
Hunt for Food I: Show pup smelly food on string, drag, then accelerate away so pup will use nose to find food. Encourage, show food again if needed.
Hunt for Food II: Hide bits of food. See if pup will seek food on its own. If necessary, encourage pup to use its nose to find food; indicate food if needed. Eyes? Nose? Methodical? Systematic?
Reaction to Strange Object (battery operated stuffed dog, mirror propped against wall)
Unstable Footing: Judge pup’s willingness to cross plastic tarp, wobbly planks, etc.
Wagon: Judge pup’s confidence in riding in moving wagon
Other comments:
My pups are very people-oriented and voice responsive, so they never do as well on the police/narcotic test as on the Search & Rescue test because on this test, the handler is deliberately very calm and quiet and doesn’t say much. As usual, Suzan commented that the pups came alive when she gave them the tiniest bit of praise.
I am not specifically breeding for police dog candidates, for which they want high drive and activity level – and pushiness. This is the first litter that had police candidates. Suzan gives this 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.
Police/Narcotics Test Results
- 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: Above Average
Green Female: Above Average
Pink Female: Above Average
Purple Female: Average- Good
- 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: Excellent
Green Female: Above Average
Pink Female: Above Average
Purple Female: Average – Good
- 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: Insufficient; kept eye contact
Green Female: Excellent
Pink Female: Above Average
Purple Female: Above Average
- 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
Green Female: Excellent
Pink Female: Minimal
Purple Female: Excellent
- 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: Minimal
Green Female: Minimal
Pink Female: Above Average
Purple Female: Minimal
- 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: Above Average; retrieved 1X
Green Female: Excellent (1X) and Average – Good (marked both)
Pink Female: Excellent
Purple Female: Average – Good
- (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.
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: Excellent
Green Female: Excellent
Pink Female: Above Average
Purple Female: Above Average
- 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
Blue Male: Average – Good
Green Female: Average – Good
Pink Female: Average – Good
Purple Female: 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: Average – Good
Green Female: Above Average
Pink Female: Above Average
Purple Female: Above Average
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.
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: Above Average
Green Female: Above Average
Pink Female: Excellent
Purple Female: Average – Good
- 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: Average – Good
Green Female: Average – Good; encouraged to investigate
Pink Female: Above Average
Purple Female: Average – Good
Search & Rescue Tests
Suzan, added a few of the SAR tests to her test: Retrieving Metal (keys), Hunt for Food I and II, Unstable Footing, Reaction to Strange Object and the Wagon Test. For some reason she didn’t score the wagon test, but all did well. I warned them that Miss Pink would probably try to jump out, and she did, but they were ready and caught her. Nor did Suzan score the reaction to strange objects (neither the mirror nor the battery-operated dog, which she never turned on). She commented about the keys in the retrieve section. I include a brief description of each test component and then the pups’ ratings.
Metal Object Tester tosses a set of car keys and observes to see if pup will put its mouth on it, pick it up and/or retrieve it.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Excellent
Green Female: N/A
Pink Female: N/A
Purple Female: N/A
Unstable Footing Since SAR dogs will search in all kinds of terrain and areas of destruction, they must be confident in insecure situations. Suzan used different FitPaws objects that made rough, unsteady surfaces and lured the pups onto and over them as they chased a tug rope.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Above Average (2 X’s)
Green Female: Excellent & Above Average (marked both)
Pink Female: Excellent
Purple Female: Excellent
Hunt for Food I This test begins with a chew 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. They also hold it high to see if the pup will look up to search for it.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Average
Green Female: Excellent
Pink Female: Above Average
Purple Female: Excellent
Hunt for Food II Suzan hid treats around a variety of obstacles. The pups had to use their noses to find where the treats were. They were judged on how they how they used their noses, how systematic their searching was and if they would take direction from the tester.
Pup/ Rating/ Additional Observations
Blue Male: Average
Green Female: Above Average
Pink Female: Excellent
Purple Female: Excellent
Tester Comments:
Blue Male: Nice & solid. Retrieved keys 5X. Curious about all. No big drives noted. Liked when he was talked to. Nosework not as methodical but still had a lot of interest in the food. Took direction after being coaxed several times. Very enthusiastic. Nice trainable pup.
Green Female: Very sweet! Loves the verbal encouragement. Great pup. Good nose on her & checks in with people.
Pink Female: Very good & systematic. Nice nosework – more air scenting.
Purple Female: Encouraged with voice. Not a lot of drive. Very personable. Thinks before engaging. Good use of nose. And follows human’s directions pretty well. Systematic.
Comparison
Social Attachment
Above average: Blue, Green, Pink
Average-good: Purple
Following
Excellent: Blue
Above average: Green, Pink
Average-good: Purple
Restraint/Submission
Excellent: Green
Above average: Pink, Purple
Insufficient: Blue
Social Dominance
Excellent: Blue, Green, Purple
Minimal: Pink
Confidence/Elevation
Above average: Pink
Minimal: Blue, Green, Purple
Retrieve ball/toy
Excellent: Blue, Green, Pink
Above Average: Blue
Average-good: Green, Purple
Sensitivity (pinch)
Excellent: Blue, Green
Above average: Pink, Purple
Prey/Perseverance
Average-good: Blue, Green, Pink, Purple
Sound Sensitivity (can)
Above average: Green, Pink, Purple
Average-good: Blue
Sound Sensitivity (train)
Excellent: Pink
Above average: Blue, Green
Average-good: Purple
Surprise (umbrella)
Average-good: Blue, Green, Pink, Purple
Retrieve Metal
Excellent: Blue
Unstable Surfaces
Excellent: Green, Pink, Purple
Above Average: Blue
Hunt for Food I
Excellent: Green
Above Average: Pink, Purple
Average-good: Blue
Hunt for Food II
Excellent: Pink, Purple
Above Average: Green,
Average-good: Blue
Summary
Note that all pups do not have all six possible rating lines, only the ratings they received are listed.
I took photos of the test and am pleased with how they turned out. The training arena is a TERRIBLE place for photos. Either the pressed-wood walls or sand absorb light, or the metal walls and window reflect it every which way. This summer, when we did our nosework seminar, a friend from Gillette wo does a lot of photography audited one day and insisted on taking my camera and doing the photos so I could concentrate on organizational details. I am SO glad she did, because I was able to copy down the camera settings she used when we worked that afternoon in the arena. She put the camera on manual, which I had never tried because I had no one to explain how to use it. Her settings worked great today. The only problem area still is the corner where there is rubber matting, and which we used for the mirror, train and food search. I had to photoshop those to make them usable (if not great) but in previous tests I was unable to used them at all. The reactions to the mirror are priceless and I’m glad everyone can enjoy those photos.
The photos are displayed in the order in which the pups tested, which was determined by who volunteered when I opened the crate doors. Two were in one crate and two were in another. I tried to show each test at least once, depending on how the photos turned out. Often the tester blocks my view as she moves around.
Included in the photos are ones of the pups Manding and trying to communicate with Suzan. In case you haven’t been following the diary, “Manding” is an exercise I teach my pups to help break the annoying and totally natural solicitation of attention by jumping up on people (that’s what pups do to elicit attention, feeding from the mother and they transfer it to people). Instead, they learn to sit and give eye contact until you acknowledge them. It is the beginning of fantastic communication between pup and humans (and easy training!) and they are already offering it when they don’t quite understand what I want or just want praise for being so good and smart.
Mr. Blue
Excellent: Following, Social Dominance, Retrieve (keys), Pain Sensitivity, Retrieve (4 times)
Above Average: Social Attachment, Retrieve (ball, 1 time), Sound Sensitivity-train, Unstable Footing (two x’s on this)
Average-Good: Prey/perseverance, Sound Sensitivity-Rocks, Surprise/Stability, Hunt for Food I, Hunt for Food II
Minimal: Confidence/Elevation
Insufficient: Restraint/Submission (kept eye contact)
Comments: Restraint/Submission: kept eye contact.
Food search I: Not as methodical (as the others) – but still had a lot of interest in the food. Looked where directed after being coaxed several times.
Nice & solid. Retrieved keys 5 times. Curious about all. No big drives noted. Liked when he was talked to. Very enthusiastic. Nice trainable pup.
Mr. Blue’s photos show these tests (in order): Prey/Perseverance, Submission, Pain Sensitivity, Sound Sensitivity (can), Retrieve (ball & key), Sound sensitivity (train), more Prey/Perseverance, Surprise/Stability (umbrella), Wagon, Hunt for Food II, Reaction to Strange Object (mirror), him offering Manding
Miss Pink
Excellent: Retrieve, Sound sensitivity-train, Hunt for Food II, Unstable Footing
Above Average: Social Attachment, Following, Restraint/submission (two x’s on this), Confidence/Elevation, Pain Sensitivity, Sound sensitivity-rocks, Surprise/Stability, Hunt for Food I, Unstable Footing
Average: Prey/Perseverance
Minimal: Social Dominance
Comments: Hunt for Food I: Very good & systematic
Nice nose work – more air scenting
Miss Pink’s photos show these tests (in order): Unstable Footing, Retrieve, Confidence/Elevation, Sound sensitivity (train), Hunt for Food I, Hunt for Food II, her offering Manding, more Hunt for Food I, Reaction to Strange Object (battery operated stuffed dog), target table, Unstable Footing (tunnel)
to page 2 of the temperament test results (summary and photos plus Cantor’s puppy temperament test results)
to VV litter page
to VV litter Background Information