Volhard Puppy aptitude test... - Page 1

Does anybody use this method of  puppy testing, and if so, how accurate is the results when the puppy is older?

anyone? that is a good question

We Volhard our puppies, match them to appropriate homes. You would be surprised what you find out about your litter, your breeding program, and the effects that not doing the test vs doing the test can have on the familys your pups go home with.      We give an 2 year Guarantee on personality, and will exchange a puppy if for some reason the personality doest work for them. A puppy has pure persoality at 7 weeks old, its right in the middle of baby social age where its had a few weeks of play with its litter mates. As long as something tramatic doesnt happen to the puppy after it leaves, and the puppy is not alowed to take over a house - some training must be instilled, then the personality should hold true .

I have personality tested for years, and Yes I have people telling me that I was right on with there puppies personality test. I do not however have high energy , hard working dogs, so most of my puppies are tested as a 3 to 4 in personality, and once in a while I will get a 2 ( strong/hard) .

Something to consider if you want to do this testing.. DON"T ruin the surprise for the puppies. No noise conditioning before 7 weeks old, if you really want to know if a dog is going to bolt when it hears a loud noise. Most puppies will turn to look at the big noise, some of mine might move back and then look (hence why I don't want to ruin the surprise - I need to know if its genetic or conditioning), some really brave puppies come and bark at the noise and try to investigate. I use either steel bowls, or a pot and a spatula that makes a really loud noise.. and I do it loud and for about 10 seconds.

The puppy test must be applyed with individual puppies, hopefully without a lot of distractions. When you bring the puppy into your test area give it a min to check stuff out so that things won't be so interesting that the independence test gets squewed.   

If you have never done the test, or seen it done I suggest finding some one whom has done it a while to help you at least once. Get a pad of paper, make sure each puppy has an individual color collar and use one piece of paper per puppy, write the test numbers out before hand, write notes of observations and number score down, and then at the end of the test you evaluate the individual quality of the puppy ( Topline, legs, head size/shape, tail set). Check for hernia's, off bites, testicals, color, eyes color.. and make notes of it. You don't have to give this sheet away to your buyers, but I would give your buyer a number scale printed out of what there puppy individualy scored at.

Good luck ,

Whisper Gray

It is good  if administered by an unknown person to the puppies. It can help pick out the best puppies but you should be able to do that with just the trained eye.

I have no advice on it's effectiveness of using it as a crystal ball.

Sock ,

Why only to some one who know's the puppies ? That is not a fair statement, and also can become a hazard ( in my view so correct me or elaberate). Anyone experianced in raising puppies and checking temperment should be able to be observent in temperment cues. Are  you saying that because the puppies are not confortable with a stranger ?? I think at 7 weeks old that puppies should not be biased as to whom is handling them.. hopefully.

Your compleatly right, not a crystal ball, and considering there are factors that can effect the test such as intestinal discomfort that can cause avoidance, or having something tramatic happen when your not looking ( mom jumps right on the puppy scaring it ) things can change overnight. It does however give some good insite when picking puppies for people.  

Consider this.. a reactive puppy that tries to bite your hands as you pinch the web of the toe should not go to a family with small children. A lazy puppy that won't chase a wadded peice of paper, won't follow you, avoids eye contact, and is reactive to noise - is not going to make a SCH prospect. Sure you already new that, anyone with common sence should know that right ? Well why not write it down and have it handy and be able to tell people the facts on the personality of the individual puppy.



Whisper

Sorry that should say unknown and I will change it. If you are good you should be able to tell by just watching how they play and interact with things.

Whisper you do not need to tell me a thing it was a typo.

Thanks,

SP

If you base a decision on the way puppies play and interact with things, you really aren't utilizing the puppies full potential...There is more to puppies than the way they play......Judging by playing and the way they interact with things, may be a good way to judge pet quality pets if that is the purpose of your litter.....For puppies with a higher level of potential, other test must be done....I am sure some of the very best and experienced breeders always do some type of more extensive testing before placing their puppies.....I guarrantee no breeder esperienced who breed for the right reasons usesonly  the play and interaction method for picking a puppy for any purpose..... What a shame to think that puppies are place with their new families only by the way they play or interact with things.  Talk about disaster and many disappointed new families....JMO as I am sure most will agree with me on this one...

But this is where things get interesting ... Just because breeder's know better, and just because people with common sence know better.. there are LOTS AND LOTS who buy dogs that dont. They pick the most aggressive and active puppy of the litter, because they think it likes them- I mean gee its following them around, bitting there hands, grabing there pant legs, and in there face .. LMAO.
And most breeders I know will let people just impulse buy.. this to me is crazy. I will out right refuse to sell a dog to some one over letting them take a dog that is just too much, because I want people to be happy with there dog, I want the dog to be happy, and I don't want my dogs to be unwanted .

Wrong Nona.

If you know what you are doing it is easy to see what puppies need to be placed where.

The Volhard is a great tool but you need someone unknown to the puppies and you would need to be skilled at reading what the puppies are telling you in the testing and if you are not skilled the test is useless.

This is just my opinion it is not open for debate. You asked for opinions I gave me now you want to argue. Do what you want. You will anyways no matter what people say.