How to do the Westie puppy temperament tests
There are a few tests currently used to test the temperament of young puppies. They are all designed to be as standardised and as objective as possible. The test described here has been devised by Gail Fisher and Wendy Volhard. Their procedure is based mainly on the research and observations of William Campbell, an American ethologist well known for his recommendations on behavior problems in dogs. The tests have been published in the American Kennel Gazette and comes with a scoring sheet. The procedure itself and the results are very well explained and can easily be done by a new user in about 5 to 10 minutes per puppy.
Environment
All puppies should be evaluated individually at 49 days of age, away from their mother and littermates, in an area that is new to them and provides isolation from all forms of distraction. The test must be performed when the puppies are normally active, before or sufficiently after meal time to avoid the effect of digestion on behavior. On the day of the test, one must avoid everything that may influence unduly the behavior of the puppy, such as inoculations, deworming or a visit to the veterinarian. The evaluator must be a stranger to the puppies; the breeder may observe the testing silently but may not interfere in any way. By standardising the procedures, we eliminate a number of variables and thus, the test is more reliable and more representative of the puppy's temperament.
TEST PROCEDURES: OBSERVATION AND MANIPULATION
General scoring and interpretation:
A detailed scoresheet comes with the test. It allows for objective results and comparisons. The score goes from one to six for the first ten tests. The four other tests call for timing or specific observations.
An aggressive dog scores mostly ones. This dog is dominant, combative and may bite, especially if he has active defence reflexes. Mostly twos indicate a very dominant dog which can also be easily provoked to bite. The self-confident dog scores mostly twos and threes. This dog is active, self-assured and makes an excellent show or working dog. The submissive dog scores mostly fours. This is an excellent pet, willing to please and easy to train and control. Scores of mostly fives usually indicate a shy dog, one which is easily scared. This dog may either flee a situation it fears or be a fear-biter if cornered. The independent dog scores mostly sixes. This dog is independent, doesn't demonstrate much interest in people and is not very affectionate.
The usual Westie should score mostly 2 or 3. There are often few differences between adjacent scores, sometimes only the degree of activity of the position of the tail will make the tester prefer a higher or lower score.
1. Social Attraction
Objective: this test measures the degree of attraction to people and the degree of confidence of the puppy.
Method: the puppy is picked up gently with one hand under his abdomen and put on a place previously marked on the floor. The tester sits on his heels four feet away, gently claps his hands to get the puppy's attention and calls it to him for a maximum of thirty seconds.
Scoring: the more aggressive puppy who scores one will come with his tail up and try to bite at hands, the confident pup comes readily with his tail up (score 3) while the independent puppy will not come at all (score 6).
2. Following
Objective: this test measures the puppy's degree of attraction to people and its willingness to accept leadership.
Method: the tester walks away from the puppy while encouraging it to follow.
Scoring: the more aggressive puppy follows readily but gets underfoot and even tries to bite at feet (score 1). The bold puppy follows with its tail up (score 3) while the timid one follows with its tail down (score 5). The independent puppy goes away or doesn't follow (score 6).
3. Restraint
Objective: this very important test indicates the puppy's degree of dominance or submission tendencies and how readily it will accept physical dominance. The more dominant the dog is, the more experienced handling he will require.
Method: the tester gently rolls the pup on its back and hold it there for 30 seconds.
Scoring: the very dominant pup (score 1) will struggle fiercely, flails and even try to bite, the confident puppy settles after a slight struggle (score 3), the timid puppy doesn't struggle and keeps its tail tucked (score 5). The independent puppy keeps still and strains to avoid eye contact.
4. Social Dominance
Objective: given immediately after the preceding test, this test shows how forgiving the pup is. That is especially interesting for the prospective obedience handler since the unforgiving dog is more difficult to handle. If the trainer makes a mistake and the dog feels he has been wronged, he might refuse to obey and hold a grudge for sometime.
Method: the pup sits in front of the tester at a 45 degree angle. The tester strokes the puppy gently from head to tail while putting his head low enough for the puppy to lick.
Scoring: the dominant puppy paws, growls (score 1), the confident one not only accepts petting but also licks at face (score 3). The very submissive one will roll over (score 5) and as usual, the independent one is more interested in going away (score 6).
5. Elevation Dominance
Objective: to test the puppy's reaction in a situation in which he has absolutely no control, such as the veterinarian's office.
Method: lace the fingers under the belly and lift the puppy until all four feet are off the ground for 30 seconds.
Scoring: the puppy scoring one is tense and struggles fiercely. From scores 3 to 5, the puppy is relaxed and demonstrate an easy going attitude, the one scoring 3 wags its tail while the one scoring 5 holds it tucked tight. The independent one freezes.
6. Retrieving
Objective: it seems there is a high correlation between the ability to retrieve and success in being a good obedience dog (or for other breeds, field trial dog).
Method: after getting the puppy's interest, the tester tosses a crumpled piece of paper 2 - 4 feet away. After the puppy starts to chase the paper, the tester moves back and encourages him to come back
Scoring: the puppy who chases the paper and returns to the tester with or without it shows a high degree of obedience aptitude and gets a score of 3 and 4 respectively. If he gets the paper and runs away to play by himself, he is more independent and gets a score of 1; this puppy will require a more experienced handler. A score of 6 is given to the puppy who doesn't chase the object.
7. Touch Sensitivity
Objective: by evaluating the threshold of pain, this test gives indication of how easy or difficult it will be to physically control and train the puppy by using the sense of touch . For example, a dog who is rather insensitive will need greater pressure from the collar and leash or different training methods or equipment.
Method: counting to ten, the tester squeezes the webbing between the toes of the forepaw gradually increasing the pressure on a scale from 1 - 10, 1 being a very light pressure and 10 squeezing as hard as possible. The tester stops as soon as the puppy show discomfort.
Scoring: 9 - 10 counts indicate an insensitive puppy and calls for a score of 1. Each 2 counts brings the score to a lower level, with 1 - 2 counts giving a score of 5.
8. Sound Sensitivity
Objective: this test shows the degree of reaction to loud or sharp noises. There is a strong correlation between a fearful reaction on this test and shyness. A puppy with a high degree of sensitivity to sound needs desensitisation through a puppy class for example. Otherwise, he shouldn't be placed in a noisy environment.
Method: while the puppy faces away from the tester in the centre of the test area, a sharp noise, such as banging a metal spoon against a metal pan, is made a few feet away from the puppy.
Scoring: the puppy who walks towards the sound and barks is given a score 1.the very confident puppy who scores 2 walks towards the sound. The score 3 is for a puppy who locates the sound and looks toward it, 4 for one who locates the sound only. The score 5 is given to a frightened one, who backs off and tries to hide. A score of 6 (no response to the sound) might indicate deafness or independence.
9. Chase Instinct
Objective: to evaluate the chase response to a moving object.
Method: a string is tied around a towel which is then dragged in front of the puppy from left to right.
Scoring: the aggressive puppy attacks and bites the towel (score 1). The usual Westie pounces, tail up or at least attempts to investigate (score 2 - 3). The frightened one runs away and hides (score 5). The independent one shows no curiosity.
10. Stability
Objective: to evaluate the coping ability when being startled.
Method: an umbrella is opened quickly 4' feet away from the puppy's face who is placed in the centre of the testing area. The umbrella is then set down so the puppy can investigate.
Scoring: while the aggressive puppy walks forward the umbrella and even try to mouth it, it is normal to observe in a normal pup a slight startle with the bolder one (score 3) attempting to investigate. A score 5 is given to the puppy who does not recover and keeps his tail down and a score 6 to one who shows no curiosity.
11.The Barrier Test
Objective: to evaluate, problem solving ability, learning retention and personality characteristics.
Method: set up a "v" barrier with one side against a wall. The pup is set inside the centre of the "v" and is encouraged to find his way out. The puppy is timed from the moment he is put down until he comes out of the "v". The test is repeated three times.
Scoring: problem solving ability is graded excellent (under 10 seconds), good (11-25 seconds), fair (26-45 seconds) or poor (46 seconds or more). The evaluation is based on the relative time it takes the puppy to perform the first two trials. Note: if the puppy doesn't find the way out after one minute, the tester shows him how to get out and praise him.
Retention is tested by repeating the trial after one hour. We are then able to see the puppy's ability to remember what it has learned. Going out of the barrier under 10 seconds is excellent, 11-20 seconds good, over 20 seconds poor.
Personality is evaluated by observing the behavior of the puppy during the test. The behavior may be noted on three levels: vocalisations, stationary behaviours and movement behaviours. It gives valuable information as to how the puppy will react in a frustrating or stressful situation. For example, one who is agitated and barks all the time will probably behave in a similar way when left alone later.
12.Energy Level
Objective: to evaluate the degree of physical energy of the puppy.
Method: the puppy is observed during the whole procedure and the tester notes the most frequent activity observed.
Scoring: the score high relates to a puppy who continually runs, pounces etc, medium to a pup who mostly trots and occasionally runs, low to one who walks slowly, sits quietly. Stress is indicated by a puppy who stands rigidly with his ears back.
Conclusion
This test is reliable and points to tendencies in character. We have to remember though that environment plays also a great role in shaping temperament. That is why it is a valuable tool to help place the puppies in the best environment or to provide them with the best learning situation.
Useful link
Volhard test with score sheet: form that can be printed.
Author: Monique Courtois
Gailuron Kennel