Temperament testing puppies is so important! And I will get to why, but let's talk about what it is first. I start working with puppies almost the moment they are born; this is very basic when they are only a few days or a week old, holding them, petting their toes and belly, etc. As they get older I work with exposing them to as many new experiences as possible. New rooms, the back yard, being held and pet, held on their back, having their feet and tail touched, touching their food while they eat, and such. By the time the puppies are six weeks old or so, I know them and their personalities very well, but temperament testing gives us a score to go by, and something more concrete. I talk about often that it is important to me for each puppy to be matched up with a family that suits them well, this way both the family and puppy are set up for success. For example, some dogs are perfectly happy being an only dog, or living in an apartment, and some need other dogs to play with and need a big backyard to run around 24/7. This is usually fairly apparent by the time they are 6-7 weeks old.

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We use the Volhard Puppy Aptitude testing, at seven weeks old, at this age they are neurologically complete and have the brain of an adult dog, but do not have any prior training or learned behaviors, so testing is the most accurate at this time. The PAT uses a scoring system from 1-6 and consists of ten tests. Each tests is done separately, but consecutively, and interpreted on its own merits. The scores are not averages, and there is no "good or bad" score, it is simply for the purpose of giving us more information to help select the right puppy for the right home.

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The ten tests are:

Social Attraction - degree of social attraction to people, confidence or dependence.

Following - willingness to follow a person.

Restraint - degree of dominant or submissive tendency, and ease of handling in difficult situations.

Social Dominance - degree of acceptance of social dominance by a person.

Elevation - degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control, such as the groomer or veterinarian .

Retrieving - degree of willingness to do something for you. Together with Social Attraction and Following a key indicator for ease and difficulty in training.

Touch Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to touch and a key indicator of the type of training equipment required.

Sound Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to sound, such as loud noises or thunderstorms.

Sight Sensitivity - degree of response to a moving object, such as chasing bicycles, children, or squirrels.

Stability - degree of startle response to a strange object.

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For more information on the PAT testing, click         ! On this page there is much more info about how it works and why it is important, it will also explain how the scoring works.

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When choosing a puppy from Diddle Bros, I do accept deposits at four weeks old, and this puts you on the list for a puppy from that litter. It is at seven weeks when temperament testing is complete, that together, we choose which puppy is right for you. I do take color and gender into consideration, but you bringing home the right puppy is what is most important.