Temperament Testing 101
Temperament testing is a form of assessment that many breeders use to evaluate a puppy’s behavior regarding certain personality traits. Puppies are introduced to a variety of stimuli in a controlled environment to see how they react. Typically, puppies go through evaluations somewhere between weeks 7-10, depending on the breed. Smaller breeds usually go through temperament testing closer to the 9 to 10-week mark.
Temperament traits include both stable traits and adjustable traits. The stable traits are typically hard to change. It is difficult for a breeder to change these traits in the puppies for the most part. The puppy evaluation simply identifies these stable traits so the breeder can match puppies with families that are willing to meet their unique needs through positive reinforcement and training.
On a side note, temperament is to a large extent an inheritable trait in dogs. It would be unethical for a breeder to intentionally breed an unstable dog in the first place. Adjustable traits are those traits that a breeder can change to some extent through proper socialization and a developmentally appropriate puppy curriculum. I temperament test all of the puppies in my responsible breeding program. I use the temperament test that Jeannette Forrey developed for breeders.
Stable Temperament Traits
Human assertiveness:
A dog’s assertiveness level is usually hereditary. A Shih Tzu may be human assertive, human non-assertive, or fall somewhere in the middle. Assertive dogs typically have bold personalities and often demand attention. Assertive dogs often appear bossy. An assertive dog has no problem stealing a french fry off your plate.
A non-assertive dog is often more submissive. Submissive dogs are typically less forward by nature. Non-assertive dogs are okay with not being the leader. Submissive dogs may even roll onto their backs as a form of submission. It is unlikely that a submissive dog is going to steal food off of your plate.
Motivation Level:
Motivation level is another stable trait that responsible breeders look for during temperament testing. When breeders talk about a puppy’s motivation level, they’re referring to a puppy’s willingness to do something for a human. A puppy’s workability level can be low, medium or high.
Shih Tzu puppies with a high motivation level are usually the ones that follow the tester around during puppy evaluations. Puppies with a high motivation level love working for humans. These little ones aim to please almost always.
Dogs with a medium motivation level are usually somewhere in the middle when it comes to workability. These middle-of-the-road puppies are perfectly happy to retrieve a Frisbee but also are content playing alone. Middle-of-the-road puppies do need reassurance on occasion.
Puppies with low motivation are often not interested in working through tasks. A puppy with low motivation may not bring the Frisbee back to you. Shih Tzu puppies with low motivation aren’t necessarily difficult puppies. The solution lies in finding out what makes them tick. Once you find out what they will work for things often run more smoothly.
Energy Level:
Energy level is another trait that is hard to change. Of course, a high-energy puppy will settle down with maturity, but not a whole lot. Stable traits are not easy to change for the most part. A Shih Tzu puppy with high energy often seems larger than life. High-energy puppies often have a hard time winding down. I often compare a high-energy puppy to an energizer bunny. These puppies keep going and going. These types of puppies do great in active families where they have an outlet for burning up energy.
Make sure not to confuse high energy with the puppy zoomies. Puppy Zoomies are short episodes of intense energy. Veterinarians call these surges Frenetic Random Activity Periods. These energy bursts often happen when a puppy or dog is excited. But, if your puppy is having zoomies too often it may be a sign that he needs more exercise.
Low-energy puppies, on the other hand, are perfectly content lounging around and taking a nap. These puppies are happy to go on a walk, but if you go too far they may need to take breaks. Low-energy puppies love a good stroller ride! Once again, most Shih Tzu puppies fall somewhere in the middle.
Prey Drive:
Prey drive refers to a dog’s desire to chase after things. For example, a dog with a high prey drive may pull at the leash or run off whenever he or she sees a bird. The pursuit of catching the bird runs strong in a dog with a high prey drive. Dogs with a high prey drive may also chase after a running child as well. Moving targets often brings out this inner trait in dogs with high prey drive.
A Shih Tzu with a low prey drive usually shows little desire to chase after movable objects. A low prey drive dog may simply look at the bird but is less likely to chase after it. Dogs with low prey drive usually make great pets for young children. As we all know, children love to run around. Most parents would prefer that their dog doesn’t chase after their child.
Human Focus:
Not all Shih Tzus need full human interaction. Some Shih Tzus would much prefer to play with a toy than follow their owner around everywhere. A dog with a high human focus usually loves nothing more than spending time with humans. We often call dogs with high human focus velcro dogs.
On the opposite side of the coin, we have dogs with low human focus. A dog with low human focus usually prefers toys or the other dogs in the house. You may be able to get a quick cuddle session here or there, but for the most part, these types of dogs prefer their personal space. Most dogs fall somewhere in the middle again when it comes to human focus.
Tenderheartedness:
When breeders test for tenderheartedness, they’re looking at the puppy’s ability to handle human emotions. Not all dogs can handle human emotions to the same degree. Some puppies don’t worry too much about human emotion. These puppies are the ones who may see a child crying and continue going about their business.
Some puppies almost fall apart when they witness extreme emotions. It is essential to know a puppy’s tenderheartedness score. A puppy that doesn’t have a high score may make a great pet for a young child or even excel as a therapy dog. A puppy that is extremely tenderhearted could fall apart in the wrong environment.
For example, I would never knowingly place a puppy that is extremely tenderhearted in a home where a family has a severe medical condition that causes a lot of intense human emotion. This is why I always ask my clients on the puppy application if they’re looking for a companion animal, emotional support animal, service dog, etc.
Adjustable Temperament Traits
Confidence Level:
Confidence is another trait that puppies may score low, medium, or high. When we talk about confidence, we are talking about the puppy’s comfort level around new people, places, or things. A Shih Tzu puppy with high confidence usually loves a good challenge and is eager to approach unfamiliar situations.
A puppy with low confidence may approach the same situation with a different outlook. To a puppy with low confidence, new people, places and things may create anxiety. Puppies with low confidence often need a lot of reassurance.
Nerve Strength:
Nerve strength refers to a puppy’s ability to cope with stressful situations. Shih Tzu puppies with high nerve strength are in a sense, bulletproof. Everything stressful seems to roll right off of the puppy with excellent nerve strength. Puppies with high nerve strength tend to take everything in stride.
A puppy with low nerve strength is often exactly the opposite. Low nerve strength puppies often become anxious when faced with situations they find stressful. They may need a great deal of encouragement to face new challenges. Furthermore, low-nerve-strength puppies often need time to recharge when they’ve been exposed to situations they find stressful.
If I have a puppy that is displaying low nerve strength before the go-home day, I always make sure to let clients know. Once again, just like tenderheartedness, I would never knowingly send a puppy with low nerve strength home with a family that has any type of medical condition that causes intense human emotion.
This is why it is so important that families let me know if they need an emotional support animal or a service dog. ESA and service dog puppies have specific temperament traits that make them ideal candidates for this type of work. Not every puppy has what it takes to handle this type of role. By placing the puppy with the right temperament in the right home, I am honoring not only the family but the puppy’s needs as well. If an applicant withholds this type of information, I cannot do my job correctly. As a result, the family and the dog may not be compatible.
Touch Tolerance:
Touch tolerance refers to a puppy’s comfort level when it comes to handling. A puppy with low touch tolerance doesn’t typically love the sense of touch. This type of puppy may not love grooming or be held for a long time.
A puppy with a high touch tolerance usually loves handling. This type of puppy often thrives off of touch. A puppy with a high touch tolerance is a great choice for a family with young children. Many puppies fall somewhere in the middle when it comes to touch tolerance levels.
Sound Sensitivity:
Many small breed dogs like Shih Tzus have sound sensitivity issues. It is good to know where puppies stand regarding their level of comfort with various noises. A Shih Tzu puppy with low sound sensitivity is unaffected by loud noises. Puppies with a high sound sensitivity score often display stress and fear around sudden loud sounds.
Sight Sensitivity:
Toy-breed dogs are also prone to sight sensitivity issues as well. Unpredictable movement may push a puppy with high sight sensitivity over the edge. Puppies with low sight sensitivity on the other hand love a good challenge. These puppies often crave and enjoy interacting with unpredictable movement.
Dog Friendliness:
I also test all of my puppies’ dog-friendliness levels. Dogs can be submissive, neutral, or assertive in this category. Submissive dogs typically take the back seat and let the other dog drive so to speak. If you already have an assertive dog at home a submissive dog is a great option and less likely to cause conflict. Neutral dogs are typically indifferent around other dogs. They may notice other dogs but typically leave them be for the most part. An assertive dog on the opposite side of the spectrum, is more likely to take on the alpha role. Assertive dogs have no problem getting into another dog’s personal space.
Not every puppy is born with the same temperament. Just like humans, puppies possess individual traits that make them unique. As a breeder, I like to know how my puppies score on both stable and adjustable traits. The stable traits are mostly set, but knowing where each puppy scores helps me place them in homes where they will succeed. For instance, if I have a puppy that scores high on energy level, I probably wouldn’t place that puppy in a home with a senior who suffers from mobility issues.
A breeder has more of the upper hand when it comes to adjustable traits. Adjustable traits can be tweaked to some extent. For example, a puppy that is highly sound sensitive and afraid of noises can come a long way if the breeder uses a developmentally appropriate sound desensitization program. To take it a step further, if the puppy who scores high on sound sensitivity is still sound sensitive after puppy evaluations the breeder can use this information to place this puppy in a home where his or her needs will be met.
The temperament testing results aren’t a tell-all. The results are simply a snapshot in time that helps the breeder get a more in-depth look at the puppy’s emerging personality. There is so much more that goes into the overall equation when it comes to a puppy’s adult temperament. Genetics, adequate socialization, life experiences, a nurturing home environment, and proper training play an important role in the puppy’s emerging personality.
In the end, puppy temperament testing is just another tool in a breeder’s toolbox that helps set both the puppies and the future owners up for success. I love giving my puppy families a general idea of what specific traits each puppy is displaying before they choose which puppy is best suited for their family dynamics.
I also love that temperament testing gives each puppy a voice. The puppies cannot speak for themselves, but they can give us a glimpse of who they are if we watch closely. Every puppy deserves to be heard. I have made a promise to my puppies that I will be their voice. I will do everything in my power to match the puppies with families that will give them the very best life has to offer!
