Temperament Testing
Discover how I can enhance your program as a puppy provider. Even if you already incorporate temperament tests, I offer improvements and additional insights to elevate your assessments and ensure the best outcomes for your puppies and their new families.
In-Person Testing
I offer temperament testing to local puppy providers in Southern California to help ensure each puppy is matched with the ideal family. Using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test and a custom guarding behavior assessment, I provide comprehensive insights into each puppy's personality. This helps set puppies up for long-term success and happiness by finding them the most suitable homes.
Add to Your Existing Tests
Did you know that existing puppy temperament testing is missing a crucial piece of information? A puppy with perfect scores might seem ideal for a family with young children, but the test does not reveal if the puppy guards resources. Add my quick and simple guarding assessment to the end of your temperament test to ensure you have a complete understanding of each puppy's behavior.
What is a temperament test?
The Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT) is a standardized evaluation developed by Jack and Wendy Volhard to assess a puppy's temperament and predict their future behavior. The test is typically conducted when puppies are around seven weeks old and includes several exercises designed to measure various aspects of their personality.
These exercises help determine traits like sociability, confidence, independence, and potential dominance or submissiveness, aiding in placing puppies in homes that best match their temperaments.
Why should you temperament test your puppies?
Including the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT) in a puppy program offers several key benefits for puppy providers:
Better Matchmaking
The test helps identify each puppy's temperament, ensuring they are placed in homes that best suit their personality and needs, which can lead to higher satisfaction for both the puppy and the new owners.
Predictive Insights
The PAT provides insights into future behavior, allowing new owners to understand potential challenges and strengths in their puppy, leading to more informed and prepared ownership.
Reduced Returns
By matching puppies with suitable families, the likelihood of puppies being returned due to behavioral issues decreases, resulting in fewer disruptions and better overall outcomes for the puppies.
Enhanced Training Plans
Understanding a puppy's temperament allows for tailored training and socialization plans, addressing specific needs and promoting well-rounded development.
Reputation Building
Offering temperament testing can enhance a provider's reputation for thoroughness and care, making them more attractive to potential adopters who value detailed assessments.
Support & Guidance
The test results can guide new puppy owners in their initial training and care efforts, fostering a smoother transition and stronger bond between the puppy and their family.
Overall, including the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test in a puppy program demonstrates a commitment to responsible placement, contributing to the long-term success and happiness of the puppies and their new families.
What is Resource Guarding?
Resource guarding is a behavior when a dog exhibits protective or aggressive actions to defend valuable items or resources from perceived threats. These resources can include food, toys, beds, or even people.
Resource guarding can vary in intensity from mild to severe and can occur in dogs of any age or breed. Addressing resource guarding is important for safety and to promote harmonious relationships between the dog and their human family members.
Determining if a puppy exhibits any guarding behaviors helps ensure they find the best placement, setting them up for a path to success. While it's uncommon for young puppies raised with plenty of food and shelter to exhibit high levels of guarding behavior, identifying and addressing any signs early on is crucial. As a puppy provider, knowing what to look for and empowering new owners with educational tools is essential for the puppy's long-term well-being.
Why is it important to understand if a puppy shows guarding behavior?
Knowing if a puppy has guarding behavior is crucial for placing them in the right home and providing proper training. Guarding can lead to aggression, which is risky, especially for families with young children who can't read dog body language. Early identification allows for targeted training, ensuring a safer and happier environment for everyone.
