Michael Colosimo
New member
- Nov 16, 2015
- 45
- 0
Doing some research on picking a puppy from a litter and came across the Volhardart Puppy Aptitude Test that scores a pup based on the following tests. Does anyone feel these are accurate ways of predicting future behavioral indicators to judge by? Seems sensible to me.
1. Social Attraction - degree of social attraction to people, confidence or dependence.
2. Following - willingness to follow a person.
3. Restraint - degree of dominant or submissive tendency, and ease of handling in difficult situations.
4. Social Dominance - degree of acceptance of social dominance by a person.
5. Elevation - degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control, such as at the veterinarian or groomer.
6. Retrieving - degree of willingness to do something for you. Together with Social Attraction and Following a key indicator for ease or difficulty in training.
7. Touch Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to touch and a key indicator to the type of training equipment required.
8. Sound Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to sound, such as loud noises or thunderstorms.8. Sound Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to sound, such as loud noises or thunderstorms.
9. Sight Sensitivity - degree of response to a moving object, such as chasing bicycles, children or squirrels.
10. Stability - degree of startle response to a strange object.
During the testing make a note of the heart rate of the pup, which is an indication of how it deals with stress, as well as its energy level. Puppies come with high, medium or low energy levels. You have to decide for yourself, which suits your life style. Dogs with high energy levels need a great deal of exercise, and will get into mischief if this energy is not channeled into the right direction. Finally, look at the overall structure of the puppy. You see what you get at 49 days age. If the pup has strong and straight front and back legs, with all four feet pointing in the same direction, it will grow up that way, provided you give it the proper diet and environment in which to grow. If you notice something out of the ordinary at this age, it will stay with puppy for the rest of its life. He will not grow out of it.
1. Ideally puppies are tested in the 7th week, preferably the 49th day. At 6 weeks
or earlier the puppy’s neurological connections are not fully developed. (If the
test is conducted between 8-10 weeks, the puppy is in the fear imprint stage
and special care must be taken not to frighten it.)
2. Puppies are tested individually, away from dam and littermates, in an area new
to them and relatively free form distractions. It could be a porch, garage, living
room, yard, or whatever. Puppies should be tested before a meal when they
are awake and lively and not on a day when they have been wormed or given
their puppy shots.
3. The sequence of the tests is the same for all pups and is designed to alternate a
slightly stressful test with a neutral or pleasant one.
4. There is less chance for human error, or the puppies being influenced by a
familiar person, if the tests are administered by someone other than the owner
of the litter. A friend of the owner, or the prospective buyer can easily learn to
give the test.
Interpretation of Scores
Mostly 1s
This dog is extremely dominant and has aggressive tendencies. He is quick to bite and is generally considered not good with children and elderly. When combined The safest and easiest thing to do when faced with parent dogs of undesirable temperament is simply to look for another litter of pups...with a 1 or 2 in touch sensitivity, will be a difficult dog to train. Not a dog for the inexperienced handler, takes a competent trainer to establish leadership.
Mostly 2s
This dog is dominant and can be provoked to bite. Responds well to firm, consistent, fair handling in an adult household, and is likely to be a loyal pet once it respects its human leader. Often has bouncy, outgoing temperament, may be too active for elderly and too dominant for small children.
Mostly 3s
This dog accepts humans and leaders easily, is best prospect for the average owner, adapts well to new situations and is generally good with children and elderly, although may be inclined to be active. Makes a good obedience prospect and usually has commonsense approach to life.
Mostly 4s
This dog is submissive and will adapt to most households. May be slightly less outgoing and active than a dog scoring mostly 3s. Gets along well with children generallyand trains well.
Mostly 5s
This dog is extremely submissive and needs special handling to build confidence and bring him out of his shell. Does not adapt well to change or confusion and needs a very regular, structured environment. Usually safe around children and bites only when severely stressed. Not a good choice for a beginner since it frightens easily, and takes a long time to get used to new experiences.
Mostly 6s
This dog is independent. He is not affectionate and may dislike petting and cuddling. It is difficult to establish a relationship with him whether for working or for pet. Not recommended for children who may force attention on him; he is not a beginner’s dog.
A. When combined with 1s, especially in restraint: the independent dog is likely to bite under stress.
B. When combined with 5s: the independent dog is likely to hide from people, or freeze when approached by a stranger
1. Social Attraction - degree of social attraction to people, confidence or dependence.
2. Following - willingness to follow a person.
3. Restraint - degree of dominant or submissive tendency, and ease of handling in difficult situations.
4. Social Dominance - degree of acceptance of social dominance by a person.
5. Elevation - degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control, such as at the veterinarian or groomer.
6. Retrieving - degree of willingness to do something for you. Together with Social Attraction and Following a key indicator for ease or difficulty in training.
7. Touch Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to touch and a key indicator to the type of training equipment required.
8. Sound Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to sound, such as loud noises or thunderstorms.8. Sound Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to sound, such as loud noises or thunderstorms.
9. Sight Sensitivity - degree of response to a moving object, such as chasing bicycles, children or squirrels.
10. Stability - degree of startle response to a strange object.
During the testing make a note of the heart rate of the pup, which is an indication of how it deals with stress, as well as its energy level. Puppies come with high, medium or low energy levels. You have to decide for yourself, which suits your life style. Dogs with high energy levels need a great deal of exercise, and will get into mischief if this energy is not channeled into the right direction. Finally, look at the overall structure of the puppy. You see what you get at 49 days age. If the pup has strong and straight front and back legs, with all four feet pointing in the same direction, it will grow up that way, provided you give it the proper diet and environment in which to grow. If you notice something out of the ordinary at this age, it will stay with puppy for the rest of its life. He will not grow out of it.
1. Ideally puppies are tested in the 7th week, preferably the 49th day. At 6 weeks
or earlier the puppy’s neurological connections are not fully developed. (If the
test is conducted between 8-10 weeks, the puppy is in the fear imprint stage
and special care must be taken not to frighten it.)
2. Puppies are tested individually, away from dam and littermates, in an area new
to them and relatively free form distractions. It could be a porch, garage, living
room, yard, or whatever. Puppies should be tested before a meal when they
are awake and lively and not on a day when they have been wormed or given
their puppy shots.
3. The sequence of the tests is the same for all pups and is designed to alternate a
slightly stressful test with a neutral or pleasant one.
4. There is less chance for human error, or the puppies being influenced by a
familiar person, if the tests are administered by someone other than the owner
of the litter. A friend of the owner, or the prospective buyer can easily learn to
give the test.
Interpretation of Scores
Mostly 1s
This dog is extremely dominant and has aggressive tendencies. He is quick to bite and is generally considered not good with children and elderly. When combined The safest and easiest thing to do when faced with parent dogs of undesirable temperament is simply to look for another litter of pups...with a 1 or 2 in touch sensitivity, will be a difficult dog to train. Not a dog for the inexperienced handler, takes a competent trainer to establish leadership.
Mostly 2s
This dog is dominant and can be provoked to bite. Responds well to firm, consistent, fair handling in an adult household, and is likely to be a loyal pet once it respects its human leader. Often has bouncy, outgoing temperament, may be too active for elderly and too dominant for small children.
Mostly 3s
This dog accepts humans and leaders easily, is best prospect for the average owner, adapts well to new situations and is generally good with children and elderly, although may be inclined to be active. Makes a good obedience prospect and usually has commonsense approach to life.
Mostly 4s
This dog is submissive and will adapt to most households. May be slightly less outgoing and active than a dog scoring mostly 3s. Gets along well with children generallyand trains well.
Mostly 5s
This dog is extremely submissive and needs special handling to build confidence and bring him out of his shell. Does not adapt well to change or confusion and needs a very regular, structured environment. Usually safe around children and bites only when severely stressed. Not a good choice for a beginner since it frightens easily, and takes a long time to get used to new experiences.
Mostly 6s
This dog is independent. He is not affectionate and may dislike petting and cuddling. It is difficult to establish a relationship with him whether for working or for pet. Not recommended for children who may force attention on him; he is not a beginner’s dog.
A. When combined with 1s, especially in restraint: the independent dog is likely to bite under stress.
B. When combined with 5s: the independent dog is likely to hide from people, or freeze when approached by a stranger