CHECKING THE TEMPERAMENT

Most breeders have had their puppies temperament tested and should direct you to the best puppy for you. There are, however, some things you can do for yourself to ensure you get that perfect puppy.

Puppies who are tired or who have had lots of visitors will be sluggish and may not seem as active and vivacious as they really are. A tired puppy may even act shy. Therefore, it is a good idea to visit early in the day when the puppies are at their best.

Remember, you are looking for a mentally sound puppy that is reliable, confident, friendly, and playful. Avoid shy, timid, clingy puppies. Donimant puppies make wonderful pets and performance dogs but need a firm hand and do best when there are no children in the family. If you have children, pick a puppy that tests low in dominance.

Puppies will do better on this test if they are well socialized by the breeder. However, even puppies who have not been socialized can do well and demonstrate their companion potential.

STEPS TO TESTING

1. The breeder will assist you in this evaluation. With the breeders assistance, take the puppy in the yard, place him on the ground and walk slowly away from him. A sound puppy will follow you happily. An unsound puppy will run away in fear or slink away. A very independent puppy who is not particularly people oriented, will run around happily and ignore you. Try running from this independent puppy calling to him. He may just be distracted and come back to check you out.

2. Pick the puppy up and hold him securely around the middle a few feet from the ground. (Never pick up a puppy by the legs or under the front legs). If the puppy happily wags his tail, he is trusting and not particularly dominant. If the puppy thrashes, then he is a more dominant puppy. If he fights you and thrashes hard, then he is a very dominant puppy and needs an experienced owner. A puppy who shows fear and urinates is not a sound puppy.

3. Lay the puppy on the ground, put your hand over his rump and neck and hold him firmly 5 seconds. Talk to him softly during this time telling him what a "goooood" puppy he is. If he lays quietly, this is a good puppy for children. If he fights you, he is a more dominant puppy. Some puppies will thrash and fight showing a lot of dominance.

4 .You can throw a toy and see if the puppy chases it and brings it back to you. This does not test the companion potential of the puppy but would be important to a buyer wanting a performance dog for competition.

5. Take a laundry or wicker basket and drag it along the ground by a rope or leash. The puppy should follow the basket happily. An unsound puppy would run from the basket in fear. The independent puppy may ignore the basket.

6. The puppy should not shake, shy from you or urinate in fear. Look for a puppy with a sturdy, sound temperament.