Kennel Von Sobaka's Benchmark Working Puppy Aptitude Test
This temperament and aptitude test has been developed by us, detailing the behaviors we look for in the selection of a prospect for Sport such as Mondioring, IGP, Personal and or Famliy/Property Protection dog, with input and support from experienced top competitors from IGP and Mondioring. The test is designed to be performed at age 6 wee
ks, in a familiar setting, and again at 8 weeks, by a person unfamiliar to the puppies, in an unfamiliar setting. The puppies are always to be tested individually, away from littermates and mother. Each test item is scored on a scale of 1-5. We take notes in pecking order within the litter for informational purposes. This test is based on our program and that all the litters being tested have been properly handled and socialized.
- People Skills
This test item is designed to gauge a puppy's social inclinations with humans, identify social confidence and independent traits. The puppy is to be set down in the middle of the room, the tester will retreat a few steps and call the puppy.
1- Avoids tester. Doesn't come when called. When picked up, either shuts down or struggles to get away. (Circle One)
2- Comes if coaxed or if person is sitting down. Uncomfortable with being picked up. When person walks away, doesn't follow person much if at all.
3- Comes when called, but slowly, with a submissive low body posture. Tail tucked or carried low and wagging. Sniffs/licks face when picked up but wants to get back down. When person walks away, will follow some, but not very far from starting point.
4- Comes when called, licks face when picked up. When person walks away, follows readily.
5- Comes running when called. Wants to be picked up, licks vigorously, may bite or paw at face in excitement. Always underfoot. When person walks away, follows readily. Seeks attention from people over littermates.
- Prey Drive
Test item toy is to be easily gripped by the puppy. Soft, thin stuffed animal, soft suede rag, burlap, etc. Toy is tied to a string to be dragged on the ground. Tester will set the puppy in the middle of the room and drop the toy near the puppy. As soon as the puppy notices the toy, tested will begin slowly dragging the toy to provoke prey drive. As puppy engages with toy, tester will allow puppy to catch it and gently tug on the string, increasing how vigorously the toy "fights/flails" to assess the puppy's reactions. While puppy is holding toy, tester will stop tugging and let the toy go "dead", to assess possessiveness, grip, prey carrying. When the puppy drops the toy, tester will resume dragging, gradually picking up speed to assess at what point the puppy loses interest.
1- Little to no interest in moving toy, no desire to chase or put mouth on toy.
2- Will pick up toy if it is easy, shows no commitment to it, gives up easily. Not willing to expend much energy for the toy.
3- Easily stimulated to chase, but gives up if toy moves too quickly or gets too far away. Loses interest if toy goes dead or fights/flails too hard.
4- Will chase anything that moves. Strikes fast and grips nicely. Loses intensity if toy goes dead. Reengages easily when toy becomes "alive" again, enjoys some fighting/flailing from the toy.
5- Will chase anything that moves. Strikes fast and grips hard and full. Committed and will chase moving toy for long duration. Doesn't give up easily. Wraps toy with feet, shows possession. When toy goes dead, puppy goes for a deeper grip, carries toy around. Reengages quickly when toy gets away and is re-caught. Toy fighting/flailing excites puppy.
- Startle Response and Recovery
Puppy is tested for sight and sound sensitivity. Test part 1, an umbrella is popped open and gently set on the ground. Test part 2, a small plastic jug or bottle of pebbles is shaken and then dropped on the ground. Puppy is to be set down in the middle of the room and tester is to move a few feet away from the puppy to begin.
1- Puppy runs away at sight/sound of test item(s) and does not recover or return.
2- Puppy runs away at sight/sound of test item(s), does not return on its' own but can be coaxed back with praise and/or food from tester.
3- Puppy retreats short distance at sight/sound of test item(s), but then cautiously returns on its own to investigate.
4- Puppy freezes or jumps at sight/sound of test item(s), then recovers and investigates on its own, cautious but willing to paw at object or try to play with it.
5- Puppy has little to no startle reaction at sight/sound of test item(s), charges at object, attacks or plays with it.
- Food Drive
Food to be used is a high value treat. Deli meat, frozen Bil-Jac (thawed) or something similar. Puppy is offered food from hand. If they will eat it, hand slowly moves away to see if puppy will follow the food. If the puppy can be lured with the food, gradually increase speed of motion and attempt to lure puppy over obstacles such as your legs when in a seated position on the floor, create distraction by slapping the ground with the non-food hand or making similar non-threatening sound for distraction purposes, behind your back or off to the side away from the puppy.
1-Puppy is not interested in the food at all.
2-Puppy will eat from hand, but will not follow the food. Loses interest quickly.
3- Puppy will eat from hand and will follow food when lured, provided the food moves slowly enough. Loses interest after a short time.
4- Puppy eagerly follows food when lured, stays engaged but won't work for the food if there is any distraction or obstacle.
5- Puppy eagerly follows food when lured, stays engaged, will continue to work for food even with distractions and/or obstacles.
- Environmental Confidence
Puppy will be tested with a new surface, (a tarp), and with an elevated surface, (a small sturdy table). Puppy will first be placed in the middle of the tarp on the floor. When placed on the table, puppy will be given a chance to settle on the table, then table will be wobbled a little by tester to gauge response.
1- Puppy is afraid of the tarp, scurries to get off of it. When placed on the table, cowers/lays down. Does not recover. Will not accept food.
2- Cautious on tarp, moves slowly with low posture. Very uncomfortable on table, takes time to acclimate. Lays down when table wobbles. Hesitant to accept food. May take food and spit it out.
3- Inspects tarp but quickly recovers. When placed on table, is unsure at first but does recover. When table wobbles, gets into low posture, but does recover after. Will accept food after recovery.
4- Eager to explore tarp. Inspects table, is cautious but is not fearful. When table wobbles, puppy is gets low for a moment but recovers quickly. Eager to eat after recovery.
5- Confident on tarp, excited by noises it makes. May bite at it. Has no issue with being placed on the table, may confidently walk right to the edge. Unfazed by wobbling table. Eager to eat food and play on the table.
- Pain Tolerance and Response
In a seated position on the floor, tester will place puppy on the floor between their spread legs, and gently pinch the skin of the puppy's flank between thumb and forefinger, gradually increasing pressure while counting to 10, stopping when the puppy responds or when tester reaches count of 10. We choose both how long it took the puppy to respond, and how they responded.
