Understanding Temperament Testing for Dogs

Understanding Temperament Testing for Service Dogs

Choosing a service dog is a big decision, and one of the first steps is making sure the dog has the right temperament for the job. When it comes to service dogs, temperament testing plays a huge role in helping us understand a puppy’s behavior and whether they're suited for the tasks ahead.

What Is Temperament Testing?

Temperament testing is a way to observe and evaluate a puppy's behavior. It helps determine things like how they respond to people, other dogs, and new situations. For service dogs, this is especially important because we need dogs that are calm, focused, and comfortable in a variety of environments. It’s all about identifying traits like independence, aggression, or fearfulness that might make the dog more or less suitable for service work.

When I was looking for my own service dog, it quickly became clear how important this testing is. Not only does it help you understand the dog better, but it also helps you realize what you need in a dog.

When is the Right Time to Test?

The best time to test a puppy’s temperament is between 7 and 8 weeks old. At this age, puppies are still developing their personalities, but they're old enough to start showing their natural tendencies. However, this time frame isn’t always possible. For example, if you adopt a dog like I did with Max, who was estimated to be around two years old, you're well outside the typical window. Temperament testing can still be done on adult dogs, but by this age, their personalities are generally more settled. While they may still be open to learning and changing, the process will likely be different compared to a puppy's more malleable behavior.

How Does Temperament Testing Work?

For the test, it’s important that the puppy is in a neutral, calm environment with no other dogs around. This helps eliminate distractions and gives us a clearer picture of how the puppy behaves on its own. It's also recommended to work with an experienced trainer or behaviorist when conducting the test because they know exactly what to look for and can offer the most accurate insights. One thing to keep in mind is that it’s generally not a good idea for the breeder to perform the test themselves—outside opinions are extremely valuable in providing a well-rounded evaluation.

The goal of these tests is to identify key aspects of a puppy's personality or nature. They typically assess things like sensitivity to sights, sounds, and touch, reactions to being handled by people, adaptability to new environments, willingness or eagerness to learn, courage, and more. These elements come together to help testers understand what the pup is like right now, and provide insights into how they might develop in the future.

We’ve linked the various temperament tests below so you can dive deeper into each one.

Why Temperament Testing Matters

• Right fit: Testing helps place puppies in the best environments. For service dogs, that means finding a dog whose temperament is suited to the tasks and demands of service work.

• Pinpointing needs: It can also highlight puppies that may need extra socialization or training, which is important to consider before bringing a dog into your life.

• Understanding potential: The test shows us the puppy's potential, but it’s just the starting point. It gives us a sense of what roles they might excel in – whether that’s service work or companionship.

The Limitations to Keep in Mind

While temperament testing is really helpful, it’s important to know that it’s just a snapshot of a puppy’s personality at that particular moment. Puppies change and grow, and just because a dog tests one way at 8 weeks doesn’t mean they’ll always act that way. This is why it's so important to continue training and socializing them as they grow.

Common Types of Temperament Tests

Some of the most well-known temperament tests include:

• The Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test: This is a popular test used to measure a puppy’s adaptability, trainability, and general behavior.

• The Avidog Puppy Evaluation Test: This test evaluates how puppies react to people, situations, and environments, helping predict how they will handle service dog tasks.

• Dognition: This is an online system that helps assess a dog’s intelligence and emotional connection with humans.

Wrapping It Up

Temperament testing is such an important part of choosing the right dog for service work. It gives us insights into their personality and helps us make better decisions about what role they’ll be best suited for. However, it’s just the beginning – the real work comes with training and socialization to make sure the dog is ready for the job.

photo credit: Daniël Maas on unsplash