VOLHARD'S PUPPY APTITUDE TEST
This test was developed by Joachim and Wendy Volhard and is © 1996 Wendy Volhard.
Just before going to new homes, we test behavioral tendencies of our puppies and predict what a puppy will be like as an adult.
In some way, with this test we confirm what we already know.
We observe puppies and they behaviour on a daily basis and more or less already know every individual.
Based on that,
We choose the ideal family for each dog so they may have harmonious coexistence and happy life with their owners.
Dominant or shy puppy is "NO GO" for beginners.
In some way, with this test we confirm what we already know.
We observe puppies and they behaviour on a daily basis and more or less already know every individual.
Based on that,
We choose the ideal family for each dog so they may have harmonious coexistence and happy life with their owners.
Dominant or shy puppy is "NO GO" for beginners.
Ideally, puppies are tested in the 7th week, preferably the 49th day.
The tests are as follows:
1
SOCIAL ATTRACTION
Degree of social attraction to people, confidence or dependence.
2
FOLLOWING
Willingness to follow a person.
3
RESTRAINT
Degree of dominant or submissive tendency, and ease of handling in difficult situations.
4
SOCIAL DOMINANCE
Degree of acceptance of social dominance by a person.
5
ELEVATION
Degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control, such as at the veterinarian or groomer.
6
RETRIEVING
Degree of willingness to do something for you. Together with Social Attraction and Following a key indicator for ease or difficulty in training.
7
TOUCH SENSITIVITY
Degree of sensitivity to touch and a key indicator to the type of training equipment required.
8
SOUND SENSITIVITY
Degree of sensitivity to sound, such as loud noises or thunderstorms.
9
SIGHT SENSITIVITY
Degree of response to a moving object, such as chasing bicycles, children or squirrels.
10
STABILITY
Degree of startle response to a strange object.
WHAT DO THE SCORES MEAN?
The scores are interpreted as follows:
Mostly 1’s
Strong desire to be pack leader and is not shy about bucking for a promotion Has a predisposition to be aggressive to people and other dogs and will bite Should only be placed into a very experienced home where the dog will be trained and worked on a regular basis Top Dog
Tips: Stay away from the puppy with a lot of 1’s or 2’s. It has lots of leadership aspirations and may be difficult to manage. This puppy needs an experienced home. Not good with children.
Mostly 2’s
Also has leadership aspirations May be hard to manage and has the capacity to bite Has lots of self-confidence Should not be placed into an inexperienced home Too unruly to be good with children and elderly people, or other animals Needs strict schedule, loads of exercise and lots of training Has the potential to be a great show dog with someone who understands dog behavior
Mostly 3’s
Can be a high-energy dog and may need lots of exercise Good with people and other animals Can be a bit of a handful to live with Needs training, does very well at it and learns quickly Great dog for second time owner.
Mostly 4’s
The kind of dog that makes the perfect pet Best choice for the first time owner. Rarely will buck for a promotion in the family Easy to train, and rather quiet. Good with elderly people, children, although may need protection from the children Choose this pup, take it to obedience classes, and you’ll be the star, without having to do too much work!
Titbits: The puppy with mostly 3’s and 4’s can be quite a handful, but should be good with children and does well with training. Energy needs to be dispersed with plenty of exercise.
Mostly 5’s
Fearful, shy and needs special handling Will run away at the slightest stress in its life Strange people, strange places, different floor or ground surfaces may upset it Often afraid of loud noises and terrified of thunder storms. When you greet it upon your return, may submissively urinate. Needs a very special home where the environment doesn’t change too much and where there are no children Best for a quiet, elderly couple If cornered and cannot get away, has a tendency to bite Top Dog Tips: Avoid the puppy with several 6’s. It is so independent it doesn’t need you or anyone. He is his own person and unlikely to bond to you.
Mostly 6’s So independent that he doesn’t need you or other people Doesn’t care if he is trained or not - he is his own person Unlikely to bond to you, since he doesn’t need you. A great guard dog for gas stations! Do not take this puppy and think you can change him into a lovable bundle - you can’t, so leave well enough alone
INTERPRETING THE SCORES
Few puppies will test with all 2’s or all 3’s - there will be a mixture of scores.
For that first time, wonderfully easy to train, potential star, look for a puppy that scores with mostly 4’s and 3’s.
Don’t worry about the score on Touch Sensitivity - you can compensate for that with the right training equipment.
The puppy with a score of 1 on the Restraint and Elevation tests. This puppy will be too much for the first time owner.
It’s hard not to become emotional when picking a puppy - they are all so cute, soft and cuddly.
Remind yourself that this dog is going to be with you for 8 to 16 years.
The scores are interpreted as follows:
Mostly 1’s
Strong desire to be pack leader and is not shy about bucking for a promotion Has a predisposition to be aggressive to people and other dogs and will bite Should only be placed into a very experienced home where the dog will be trained and worked on a regular basis Top Dog
Tips: Stay away from the puppy with a lot of 1’s or 2’s. It has lots of leadership aspirations and may be difficult to manage. This puppy needs an experienced home. Not good with children.
Mostly 2’s
Also has leadership aspirations May be hard to manage and has the capacity to bite Has lots of self-confidence Should not be placed into an inexperienced home Too unruly to be good with children and elderly people, or other animals Needs strict schedule, loads of exercise and lots of training Has the potential to be a great show dog with someone who understands dog behavior
Mostly 3’s
Can be a high-energy dog and may need lots of exercise Good with people and other animals Can be a bit of a handful to live with Needs training, does very well at it and learns quickly Great dog for second time owner.
Mostly 4’s
The kind of dog that makes the perfect pet Best choice for the first time owner. Rarely will buck for a promotion in the family Easy to train, and rather quiet. Good with elderly people, children, although may need protection from the children Choose this pup, take it to obedience classes, and you’ll be the star, without having to do too much work!
Titbits: The puppy with mostly 3’s and 4’s can be quite a handful, but should be good with children and does well with training. Energy needs to be dispersed with plenty of exercise.
Mostly 5’s
Fearful, shy and needs special handling Will run away at the slightest stress in its life Strange people, strange places, different floor or ground surfaces may upset it Often afraid of loud noises and terrified of thunder storms. When you greet it upon your return, may submissively urinate. Needs a very special home where the environment doesn’t change too much and where there are no children Best for a quiet, elderly couple If cornered and cannot get away, has a tendency to bite Top Dog Tips: Avoid the puppy with several 6’s. It is so independent it doesn’t need you or anyone. He is his own person and unlikely to bond to you.
Mostly 6’s So independent that he doesn’t need you or other people Doesn’t care if he is trained or not - he is his own person Unlikely to bond to you, since he doesn’t need you. A great guard dog for gas stations! Do not take this puppy and think you can change him into a lovable bundle - you can’t, so leave well enough alone
INTERPRETING THE SCORES
Few puppies will test with all 2’s or all 3’s - there will be a mixture of scores.
For that first time, wonderfully easy to train, potential star, look for a puppy that scores with mostly 4’s and 3’s.
Don’t worry about the score on Touch Sensitivity - you can compensate for that with the right training equipment.
The puppy with a score of 1 on the Restraint and Elevation tests. This puppy will be too much for the first time owner.
It’s hard not to become emotional when picking a puppy - they are all so cute, soft and cuddly.
Remind yourself that this dog is going to be with you for 8 to 16 years.
Your 1st year with Rhodesian Ridgeback
Once you bring your puppy home, sweet small puppy will become a true Raptor very fast....and then after, you will have Raptor at puberty.....
So have on your mind that the first year with your Ridgeback is going to be a "puff-pant year".
There is lot of work awaiting, so you have to ask yourself:
"Are you ready to work with your dog?"
Will you have enough time for that and can you really get over this without the dog being rehomed or returned to the breeder ?!
So have on your mind that the first year with your Ridgeback is going to be a "puff-pant year".
There is lot of work awaiting, so you have to ask yourself:
"Are you ready to work with your dog?"
Will you have enough time for that and can you really get over this without the dog being rehomed or returned to the breeder ?!