temperment testing with puppies

[Rachaelslp]

Hey,
When looking at a litter of 7 or more puppies, how do you pick which one is best for you! I have 3 children, 7, 9, 11 and see special needs students in my home. THese children often have ADHD, sensory integration issues, and developmental delays. THis means that the kids desire touching the dogs, like the feel but not the noise so much. I realize that any puppy will need to be older before they are introduced to my students, but I need to have a general idea of some characteristics to look for in the puppies.
I have heard that you want to look for a puppy that is not the shyest.
Not the most brave.
If they roll over and let you rub their tummy, that's good.
Any other recommendations would be great since I am just starting my search.
Thanks
Rachael

[Doodlesville]

In my experience If you get a pup at 8weeks old that is really when they start developing their personalities you can mold them into what you want them to be ..when my families choose pups they send me a list of ribbon colors in the order they like them (pups have different color rick rack on there collars) and what they are looking for in their perfect puppy,, Me as the breeder have spent every waking hour with them so i know them best

I really hold little merit in temperament testing or should ,,
i say i have little need for it,
my pups are raised in my home, for example when they start bullying each other, i am right there and correct that behavior immediately,
doing this rarely do i have a dominate puppy

Now that being said not all breeders are as diligent, so just ask your breeder, try to get a feel for what the pups have been exposed to thus far, and where they are housed ..interaction etc ,,Trust your breeder, they will know the pups best hopefully, and can help you choose your perfect puppy

[Jac]

I absolutely agree with Nancy. As a breeder, I know my puppies, I know my parent dog and I know what temperaments I have produced in the past. I have also had my puppies tested and I totally disagreed with the testing results.
I really don't see how testing for 20 minutes can give a clear picture of a dog's temperament. I know that many people swear by them, but what I found was that the test took place when my pups were hungry, sleepy or just waking from a nap...and, of course, their personalities are different during those times.
I tell you this to say that I believe that your breeder is the best judge of puppy temperament...and I qualify that because that is the case so long as the puppies are raised in the breeder's home and they are around them daily, handling them, watching them interact and working with them. I also qualify the comment by saying that a breeder who carefully selects breeding stock can also tell you much about the temperament of the pups they produce.
This is not always the case, however, and the same is true with testing...puppies develop in stages and they go through fear stages. If the testing happens during a phase, that pup will definately change.
Since you are exposing the pup to many types of children, some with disabilities...it is also important that you protect the pup so that it doesn't have to defend itself. You must watch the children so that they are not hurting the puppy or teasing it.
Here are three really important articles for you to consider, this site sometimes warns against getting mixed breed dogs and of course I disagree with that...but most of the information is very good:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Conten ... A=2141&S=1
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Conten ... C=0&A=2229
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Conten ... C=0&A=1531

[Jac]

In specific answer to your question... , sorry, got a bit carried away...

Look for a puppy who is happy but mellow. One that will allow you to touch its face, paws, genitals, ears without reaction. Look for one that can be picked up, turned over and cuddled.

All puppies nip, so that is more of a training issue, so is jumping...but neither of these problems should be so strong in the puppy that it causes you concern.

Also take a really good chewy and give it to the dog, see if you can easily take it away and give it back...see if you can get near the pup's mouth while it is eating or enjoying a treat/toy.

It is good if the pup was raised around children, but not necessary. My pups never meet children until they go home and, without exception, they fit in extremely well with children. They are loving, loyal and tender with them...but then I have selected the most marvelous parents in the world!

[momoftwo]

The book - The Art of Raising a Puppy, by The Monks of New Skete has a really good section on choosing a puppy. Well worth reading. The book Raising Puppies and Kids Together - A Guide for Parents is also a good read.

I would a agree that the breeders know the puppies the best. However, if the breeder you are using is allowing you to interact with the puppies, you should be educated in what you are looking for. The puppy we thought we were going to bring home had no interest in my children - loved us and the breeder's granddaughter who was a bit older than my children but showed no interest in my two younger kids. So after we had narrowed it down to the 2-3 puppies that were the laid back personality we were looking for, we picked the one that interacted the best with the entire family.

An old farmer's way of picking a puppy from a litter is the one with the most black on the roof of it's mouth - it's supposed to be the smartest!

Although it's true that at 8 weeks the puppies are still highly trainable - why start with something that doesn't work for you and have to change it. A timid puppy can be brought out of it's shell but it takes work. A more vocal puppy can be trained to be quieter but it takes more work than picking a puppy that isn't naturally as vocal, etc.

Good Luck!

[Tink]

I fully agree with the others.
A breeder who is doing their job right is spending time with the pups and knows them pretty well by the time they're ready to leave. Even with a dozen pups, you learn which is more alpha, which is more Lab like or Poodle like. You see which are just go-go-go and which prefer to cuddle more.
There's usually one or 2 that are the natural leaders... learn and discover things faster; ones that will figure out how to get out of the pool sooner; ones that are totally bent on laying on the cat and using him for a chew toy.

If you can tell your breeder what your idea of a perfect fit is for your family, a good breeder can point to the one(s) that will suit you best.

[MaxandMe]

i am also in agreement with Nancy, Jac and tink

the only testing i consider reliable is what Jac described.....pick up the puppy hold the puppy see how it reacts to your touch, turn the puppy over, even try to cuddle etc

also i totally agree that a puppy ends up molding to you and your family's way of life on a daily basis.

Max was the quiet puppy that you could mold like clay but sweet happy go lucky like he had not a care in the world yet loved everyone. he was and still is a snuggler and trains easily.

Peanut was energetic but once held melted like butter in your arms settling right down and would sleep, she was the runt but never bossy but rather an explorer that could hold her own. She would however run up to you everytime wagging the tail and hop almost like "pick me, pick me"
then cuddle at my feet licking us.

and like momoftwo:

so what did I choose? in both cases really the puppy that was persistent enough to choose ME andmy family but also had sweet personalities that weren't on dominant side.
a good breeder knows their puppies and the past litters as well that were produced and be able to help you choose a good fit for you and your family/lifestyle.

[Rachaelslp]

Thanks for all of the advice!! I can't wait to get my new puppy, but I want to find the perfect match.
If you had a choice of getting a puppy closer to 8 weeks or 16, what would be your preference? Since I have some time, I'm trying to think of all the details.
thanks
Rachael

[Doodlesville]

Really depends on where it is coming from,,i have older pups that are wonderful but i spend time with them ,they are started to learn to walk on leash, started in crate and house training and doing well,
depends on who how and where, your getting your pup from

then the 8week old ones you are starting from scratch so to speak,
any can be a joy depends on you ,the breeder and the puppy

[Jac]

Again, I echo what Nancy is saying...I have had greater success with older pups because they stay with their pack longer and learn valuable lessons about life.
But I also work with them, get them used to crates, potty outside, lots of cuddling and some corrections. They are more mature and able to blend into a family better.
But, my 8 week old pups have bonded extremely well with their new families...so...look at what your breeder offers. Are the pups around the breeder and other humans? Are they interacting or just kept in a pen/kennel? Are they indoors or outdoors?

[blueteal]

I just wanted to add my 2 cents in concerning the puppy testing.
I have kept every single e-mail from my breeder before Denver came
home and just found this one...........
Here is an exerpt concerning the testing. This is my breeder Cynthia talking about testing Denver with her son Michael..........

Michael and I did more testing today on Denver now that he's older and he actually didn't score very high. When I put him down on the floor (in a room he hadn't been in before) he would hardly move. I felt so bad for him ... he just sat there and looked at Michael with his big sad eyes. He wouldn't fetch, or come to Michael, or follow him - or nothing. He was just a sad little puppy. When I picked him up to take him outside he clung to me like a child that had been abandoned by its mom and then had been found again. Poor sensitive boy.

Now - on the other hand - a video was taken minutes after we did Denver's test and Denver went nuts on Michael. He wouldn't get off Michael and all he wanted to do was lick his face and lay on him. Usually Denver has seemed so self-assured, outgoing, happy-go-lucky we were amazed it was the same dog from the test. So ... go figure.

I am bringing this up because had I not picked Denver because of how
he did on his testing, I would have missed out on the best Dog ever
so I am here to say that I agree that the testing does not mean much......
Denver is self-assured, outgoing, happy-go-lucky and
the one true thing from the test that he still is today is sensitive as you have all seen from the bear pictures............
So bottom line, a great breeder does know her/his puppies and will
steer you to the right choice, I know my breeder did...........