Puppy Assessment Tests

[beltabout]

In the past we have threads that have talked about how people choose a puppy from a litter. As I am about to undertake this again and choose a puppy from a litter I am thinking about how I will do this I have been reading and have stumbled on tests for puppy selection. I wonder if any one has used these and found them useful, or if anyone thinks they are a waste of time, I have read reports and the only test that seem to be truly indicative is for problems with dominance. I guess this sort of answers my question but I would be interested in you opinions.

The type of tests I am considering are as below, (I have clipped these from a web site) but they are based I think on Sue Sternberg’s assessments.

Dominance testing can be performed by restraining the puppy on his back. To conduct this puppy behavior test, gently roll the puppy onto his back and hold him down for 30 seconds. A puppy that spends the entire 30 seconds fighting you and trying to escape from this position is likely a dominant puppy. This does not necessarily mean you'll have to deal with aggressive dog behavior, but you should be aware of it none the less. Conversely, a puppy who immediately looks away, relaxes and licks your hand is likely to be submissive. Puppies that fight for a few seconds and then relax are not overly dominant or submissive. 



Independence can be gauged by walking away from a puppy while you have his attention. Puppies that ignore you when you walk away are very independent. Less secure puppies will follow behind you in a subdued manner with their tails lowered.

Prey drive can be evaluated by using your hand or other object to tempt the puppy. You may move your hand or the object along the ground in front of the puppy. If he reacts by pouncing on your hand or the object and chasing it, he has a strong prey drive.

Friendliness towards dogs and humans can be evaluated by observing the puppy. Ideally the puppy will behave in a friendly manner towards all humans and dogs in the room. Examples of behaviors which are not considered friendly may include showing the teeth, raising the lip and holding the tail upward.

Mouthing, which is essentially a form of mock biting, is also considered inappropriate behavior. Dogs often display mouthing behavior when they are playing together. Although they are not really biting, it is preferred for them to not display this type of behavior on humans as some dogs may do this harder than others if they have a particularly hard mouth. Dogs who have a hard mouth may not mean harm but do not realize they are not being gentle. To avoid this type of problem, mouthing should be discouraged.

[Polmaise]

well!!! it seems to me you have done alot of reading and googling, and done all the modern stuff of 'gleaming', all the fancy authors and people who have all the qualifications on puppy selection?..well done you on researching before you choose

But fur me....
Ma grandad, picked up a pup, rolled it across the ground, and if it came hurtling back towards him ...that was the one!
A bit like what you quoted?...only 'simples'
other than that ....try the lottery this weekend

[rewster68]

slightly off topic but i believe connected,
i have a five month old pup when people walk up to US if they talk to me for a couple of minutes he will sit quietly and then when paid attention to his tail will wag he looks for fuss but reasonably quietly, but when someone comes up and goes all googly and starts the ,well you know puppy talk and bends down to him straight away he jumps up .
is this just with puppies, because i was always taught to speak to the person holding the lead not the dog on it first. but are people sending a message by paying homage to a would be leader by addressing the dog first , my four year old will also act differently to people that talk to her first rather than talk to me , so the point is if different people hold the same dog down on its back ,will they send out different messages to the pup, ie , weak leader, strong leader,and will the pup at a young age recognise this,
just wondered.
Rewster

[Judy]

Where is Deep Snick when you need him?

I think the pup gets excited because its getting attention. If enough different people rolled a pup over I guess it would soon learn to roll onto its back as soon as it saw a stranger approaching.

Just sit with the pups and pick the one you like! Last three I've bought have been the only one left and I haven't done too badly out of that, they weren't tested apart from checking mouths / hernias etc. Mind you, if I didn't like the pup I wouldn't have bought it!

Judy

[Polmaise]

Where is Deep Snick when you need him?

Judy

Too deep this one?

[rewster68]

i must be honest i just go with looks cause if you can't stand to look at it whats the point of having it.

[Judy]

Butthe 'look' of the dog takes in the whole animal, attitude, colour, structure etc. Yes liking the 'look' of the dog is important.

Deep Judy

[t jack]

Where is Deep Snick when you need him?

I think the pup gets excited because its getting attention. If enough different people rolled a pup over I guess it would soon learn to roll onto its back as soon as it saw a stranger approaching.

Just sit with the pups and pick the one you like! Last three I've bought have been the only one left and I haven't done too badly out of that, they weren't tested apart from checking mouths / hernias etc. Mind you, if I didn't like the pup I wouldn't have bought it!

Judy

one of the UK,s greatest terriermen did just this Judy, he would always keep the last of his pups to be picked, he claimed they always left the best ones

[rewster68]

my four year old is very pretty but when she is in the next parish ( mr irving) i think you are right Judy as when you look at one little liver and white blur in the distance ," beauty is in the eye of the beholder" has no meaning.
Cheers,
Rewster.

[nickanderson]

I think the pup gets excited because its getting attention. If enough different people rolled a pup over I guess it would soon learn to roll onto its back as soon as it saw a stranger approaching.

Just sit with the pups and pick the one you like! Last three I've bought have been the only one left and I haven't done too badly out of that, they weren't tested apart from checking mouths / hernias etc. Mind you, if I didn't like the pup I wouldn't have bought it!

Couldn't agree more Judy, I picked Harry at about 5weeks so bit young to see prey drive etc so I just picked the one I liked, and how lucky could I get?!

Even with my complete lack of experience - I'm sure I'm doing pretty much everything wrong but he seems to be training himself in spite of me!!