This series of tests is designed to test a seven to nine week old puppy to see his/her possible potential for Personal Protection work. Notice I said possible potential because the end result of the dog depends nearly as much on how it is raised/trained as it does on genetics. Realize though that without the proper genetics you cannot develop an excellent dog in PP work regardless of the training.
The following tests were taken from many resources from people’s material that have way more experience with dogs than I do.
These tests must be done by someone the pup is unfamiliar with. The optimal thing to do would be to video tape the process and watch the video to better evaluate the puppy. While watching the video mark the proper responses and make any notes as needed.
First have the breeder separate the males and females if you are desiring a particular sex ( or by color or whatever criteria you choose) before you walk up to the pen.
It is important to remove pups from the group after each test that have totally unacceptable behaviors.
When using the test below simply use the lines in front of each response to check off the response you get.
Test 1) Stranger walks up to pen
______Puppy walks up to fence and barks deeply (initially then relaxes) with tail wagging (BEST)
_______Puppy walks up to fence yipping happily wanting attention(SECOND)
_______Puppy stands his ground and barks or growls (THIRD) PLEASE NOTE THIS DOG WILL REQUIRE SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN ORDER TO INSURE HE DOES NOT TURN INTO A FEAR BITER.
_______Puppy ignores stranger(good pet for people with little time, but not PP work)
_______Puppy shies away from stranger and goes to other side of pen (Not acceptable)
Other response ___________________________________________________________________
Test 2) Throw a plastic 2 liter bottle with a few rocks in it to make noise, into the pen without hitting a puppy.
_______Puppy investigates bottle immediately(Best, but will require a strong trainer and good training)
_______Puppy startles then investigates (Second)
_______Puppy stands his ground(Third)
_______Puppy runs from bottle( Not acceptable)
Other response___________________________________________________________________
Test 3) Slam two small pieces of 2 x 4 together to replicate the sound of gunfire, although milder.
_______Puppy still comes to fence wanting to play (Best)
_______Puppy stands his ground (Good)
_______Puppy runs (Not good)
Other response___________________________________ (any but running is good)
Test 4) Take puppy out of pen and play with rag/towel walk and shake rag in front of puppy to see if you can stimulate the dogs prey drive.
______Puppy chases and bites at rag(Best)
______Puppy shows no interest in rag( puppy lacking prey drive may be a good pet but poor PP prospect
______Puppy runs from you(not acceptable)
Other responses __________________________________________________________________
Test 5) Pick up the puppy and cradle in your arms as you would a baby, looking into the puppy’s eyes.
_______Puppy looks into your eyes and completely relaxes, it is acceptable if puppy soon tires of this and rolls toward you then tries to get loose.(Best)
_______Puppy relaxes but either won’t look at you or tries to roll away when he gets tired of being held.(Maybe Acceptable, may not dependeing on the level of Obedience you want)
______Puppy fights, screams, or cries. (Unacceptable)
Other notes ______________________________________________________________-_______
Stop for a few seconds to get the pup’s trust pet, rub, etc...
Test 6)Chase and retrieve with a piece of crumbled paper. Get the pup’s attention on the ball roll it away in front of the dog.
_______Puppy chases then brings ball back to you. (Best)
________Puppy chases ball catches it and plays with it (Second)
_________Puppy ignores ball (try again maybe he didn’t see it, if still uninterested Worst)
Other notes _______________________________________________________________________
Test 7) Touch sensitivity. While playing with pup pinch between it’s toes just hard enough to elicit a pain response. Then let pup go.
______Puppy bites at hand and when released stays near you wanting attention (Best)
______Puppy runs and returns wanting attention(Second)
______Puppy runs and returns only after being called(Third)
_______Puppy cries and runs away will not return(Unacceptable)
Other notes_______________________________________________________________________
Also go up to the pen where the Sire and Dam are, hopefully they are both on the premises. If the parent will not approach the fence this is a sign of weak nerves and is possibly hereditary. A dog that comes to the fence and barks a lot may be territorial or may be trying to cover up for weak nerves or both. The only unacceptable response is if the dog refuses to come near you the stranger.