Temperament - is a dog’s natural personality .
Personality is the easiest way to explain temperament in the most understandable term. Many breeders and rescuers alike, temperament test. While others do not feel that it is necessary because they know their puppies so well. Then there are those who simply don’t care about it and allow people to choose whatever puppy that they want based on exterior or something that the new puppy guardian sees as “eye catching or cute.”
There are a lot of breeders out there that place puppies as soon as they come out. This typically happens with dogs who come out looking different than one another. There might be a grey one with a white stripe down it’s chest, a black and white one with a black tail, maybe a brown puppy with four white feet. That is how many people choose their dogs. Unfortunately this is the worst way to choose a dog.
Temperament testing is something that I do; and I have to say that it is one of my favorite aspects of being a dog trainer. I get to hang with a litter of 7 week old puppies and decipher who they are as individuals. It is truly fascinating to see the difference in all of the puppies in a litter. During the temperament test, I take notes which are then passed onto the breeder or rescuer. These notes will determine where each puppy will best thrive.
The notes should also be explained to the new puppy guardians. It can give them a little insight to who their dog is and what they will require.
Temperament testing is not comparing puppies against each other; it is a test to see who they are as individuals. There are no good or bad puppies; just good and bad placements. We as humans are all very individual, so are puppies.
I often see breeders allowing people to choose puppies as soon as they come out. They will post that two are left; and show images of the guinea pig like babies crawling around. There is no way to know who these week old puppies will become as adult dogs.
You might choose the one with the one white paw; only to find out down the road that he is the one who needs to be in an experienced dog home with no children. Sadly this is your first dog and you have 4 children under the age of 6. This is definitely not a good match and there will be much struggle for everyone involved.
So how should it be done?
Breeders/Rescuers
Create a list of those wanting one of the puppies.
There may be a first come first choose list but that is typically only used to structure the placement; not to allow people to choose whatever puppy they want first.
If you have 8 puppies, allow 8 families to be on the “getting a puppy” list.
Raise the puppies, do everything you can to ensure great early socialization.
Get to know who the puppy buyers are, extensively. Have a dialogue with each family which will give you insight into their day to day.
At 7 weeks have the litter temperament tested by an EXPERIENCED tester.
Look at the list of people wanting one of the puppies and decide which puppy would do best in each specific home.
Let the new puppy guardians know who they get or who they can choose from.
Do not try to sell a family two dogs. Two are not better than one.
Sometimes their are two or three puppies who are similar. If you think they would all be good in a specific home, allow the new guardians to choose with your assistance.
New puppy guardians
Find a breeder or rescue group that has a litter of puppies that you are interested in. (This will follow a great deal of research)
Build a relationship with them so that they know what you are looking for as far as a new family member.
Give as much detail to the breeder or rescue group that you can as far as what you want in a dog.
Watch the puppies as they grow, watch each individual closely.
Take this time to learn about having a new puppy.
Be patient.
The temperament testing will happen around 7 weeks of age.
Ask a lot of questions, don’t be shy.
If your breeder or rescuer are experienced, they will tell you which puppy is the best fit for you. They may give you the option of a couple or more, ask questions about each. Have a dialogue about each puppy.
Trust their judgement. Ask questions if you have them.
The actual placement is typically done a week or more after the test.
By placing puppies this way, the breeder/rescuer has found all the puppies a home early on; but the actual who goes where is done after the temperament test. Not all testers are the same; many have no idea what the results mean. Experience speaks volumes when testing puppies.
For the buyers out there, be aware that lots of people will tell you that they temperament tested their dogs and then allow you to blindly choose a puppy. This means nothing and should be taken as such. If they cannot offer advice as to which puppy would best suit you then this is blind puppy placement.
Also for the buyers, go in color blind. This is something I tell people all the time. When someone says to me that they want a mostly white husky my response is “what if your next heart dog is grey?”
The more experience a tester has the better. The range of puppy temperaments is vast. Being able to read between the lines (so to speak) of results is important.
Many breeders and rescuers will say they don’t need to temperament test because they know their dogs. I agree that experience may help decipher who is who but there is almost always a surprise read in the litter, sometimes more than one surprise. An actual temperament test is done by someone the puppies has never met in an area that they have never been. This is imperative to get a true read on temperament.
Temperament testing is not the be all and end all on individual temperaments. Much can be done to help puppies along the road to adulthood by their new guardians. This is the big part of correct placement. Learning what your new puppy needs and being willing to offer it to them for a smooth journey into our human world.
Questions?