Index
| You are Here | 1 |
Puppies |
|---|---|---|
2 |
Police Service Dogs | |
3 |
Search & Rescue Dogs | |
| 4 | Detector Dogs |
"Tests are only as good as Tester's ability to Test "
PUPPIES SELECTION TESTING
When you test a litter you will get a 'rough' idea of what to expect. Consider the sire and the dam as part of your assessment. More then once I recall behavior observed in the puppy, facsimile to what I saw in their parents.
Clarence Pfaffenberger in his book ' New Knowledge of Dog Behavior', concerning the evolution of the Guide Dogs for the Blind breeding program; whereby they turned gloomy results into a success through selective testing.
Joachim and Wendy Volhard developed the PAT test, which has been used by countless organization. You can download a copy here and the original can be found at this website, http://www.volhard.com/puppy/pat.htm.
There are two areas that I am specifically interested in. The puppies olfactory drive and their temperament. Both are equally important and the puppy must pass not squeaked by these tests. My tests are based upon tests I have completed as well as the information obtained from various books such as, 'Genetics and the Social Behavior of Dogs' by Dr. John Paul Scott and Dr. John L. Fuller. I use portions of the PAT test but I also follow these steps.
SOCIAL SKILLS |
Regardless of which canine service you are testing a dog for. You certainly want to know if the puppy is timid, shy or aggressive around people. I am simply interested in seeing that the puppy approaches everyone in a friendly manner, such as what is noted in Test 1 of PAT.
EXPLORATORY |
Does the puppy willingly and eagerly venture forth in new surroundings. Or does it hung close to their owner. Place in a tall field of grass and run away a short distance. Does the puppy look or does it freeze up and simply whimper and whine.
ARTICLES |
Using a cloth item that may be new, walk to a tall grass area and throw the article into the grass. It would go far unless you weight it down with a rock. The owner will walk with the dog into the wind. We are interested to see if the puppy willingly leaves the handlers side to investigate and hopefully locate the article. You may have to be close, say five feet before the puppy catches the scent
RETRIEVAL |
Using any item other then their favorite toy throw it into a tall field of grass. Remember, this is a puppy, so don't make it a long distance. We looking at hunt, air scenting and retrieval drive. You can start by throwing the article in plain view. Use cloth, wood, plastic and rubber tubing.
TRACKING |
If the puppy is showing excellent results, I will lay a very short, five foot track, on good, humus soil or green grass. Disregard if there is not suitable ground or the dogs scores are only average.
TIN CAN |
Take a pop can, place a couple pebbles inside, seal the top with duct tape. When the pup is facing away from you, throw the tin can so it lands, hopefully within five feet or more of the pup. They will be startled, but if they run for cover and wouldn't come out, they fail.
UMBRELLA |
The last time I did the umbrella test, the dog in question was getting good marks. Then we came to the umbrella and it came completely unglued. I have thought of doing the umbrella test first because if it doesn't pass the umbrella and the tin can, there isn't any reason to test anything further.
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