PUPPY APTITUDE TEST
TEST | PURPOSE | SCORE | |
SOCIAL ATTRACTION: Place puppy in test area. From a few feet away the tester coaxes the pup to her/him by clapping hands gently and kneeling down. Tester must coax in a direction away from the point where it entered the testing area. | Degree of social attraction, confidence or dependence. | -Came
readily, tail up, jumped, bit at hands. -Came readily, tail up, pawed, licked at hands. -Came readily, tail up. -Came readily, tail down -Came hesitantly, tail down. -Didn't come at all. |
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FOLLOWING: Stand up and walk away from the pup in a normal manner. Make sure the pup sees you walk away. |
Degree of following attraction. Not following indicates independence. | -Followed
readily, tail up, got underfoot, bit at feet. -Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot. -Followed readily, tail up. -Followed readily, tail down. -Followed hesitantly, tail down. -No follow or went away. |
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RESTRAINT: Crouch down and gently roll the pup on his back and hold it with one hand for a full 30 seconds. |
Degree of dominant or submissive tendency. How it accepts stress when socially/ physically dominated. | -Struggled
fiercely, flailed, bit. -Struggled fiercely, flailed. -Settled, struggled, settled with some eye contact. -Struggled then settled. -No struggle. -No struggle, straining to avoid eye contact. |
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SOCIAL DOMINANCE: Let pup standup and gently stroke him from the head to back while you crouch beside him. Continue stroking until a recognizable behavior is established. |
Degree of acceptance of social dominance. Pup may try to dominate by jumping and nipping or is independent and walks away. | -Jumped,
pawed, bit, growled. -Jumped, pawded. -Cuddles up to tester and tries to lick face. -Squirmed, licked at hands. -Rolled over, licked at hands. -Went away and stayed away. |
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ELEVATION DOMINANCE: Bend over and cradle the pup under its belly, fingers interlaced, palms up and elevate it just off the ground. Hold it there for 30 seconds. |
Degree of accepting dominance while in position of no control. | -Struggled
fiercely, bit, growled. -Struggled fiercely. -No struggle, relaxed. -Struggled, settled, licked. -No struggle, licked at hands. -No struggle, froze. |
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Information on this page provided courtesy of Wendy Volhard.©