How do you know if your dog has a good temperament? Surprising Answer

Use the puppy scorecardBring the form shown in the following figure with you when you’re testing puppies.

How do you know if your dog has a good temperament?

Score each puppy’s response to test items with the following scale:

A = Active N = Neutral P = Passive

Active puppies are smart and full of fun, which means there will suddenly be a whole lot of life going on under your roof. Spirited and intelligent, active pups are adored by owners who have the time and determination needed to train and socialize them. Neutral puppies are relaxed and undemanding — sort of the regular guys of the dog world. Passive and shy puppies appreciate love and support but are fearful of change, so they do best in consistent environments and with people who have the patience and time for extra socialization.

What Is a Temperament Test for Dogs?

Think of puppy temperament testing as a canine crystal ball used to identify your puppy’s personality in order to predict—and manage—potential problems. Temperament tests can measure a puppy’s stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness.

Preparing for a Temperament Test

  • Question What is a good temperament in dogs? Jessica Powell Certified Professional Dog Trainer Jessica is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of Proud Paws Dog Training, a small business offering private coaching and in-home dog training services to dog parents across the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. With nearly ten years of experience, she has extensive knowledge and experience in dog behavior, effective communication techniques, animal welfare, manners training, behavioral modification, and enrichment. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Management and is also an experienced shelter professional. Jessica Powell Certified Professional Dog Trainer Expert Answer It is important to understand that temperament testing does not determine if your dog is “good” or “bad”, but what situations they may or may not be able to cope with, what they may or may not enjoy being exposed to and what ‘jobs’ they may or may not be suitable for. This is often a result of both genetics and training/learned associations from elsewhere in their life.
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  • Have your dog temperament tested more than once. Just like people, dogs change as they age. Having your dog temperament tested periodically can show you where he’s improved and where he still needs some work.[37] In puppies, testing at around 7 weeks and again at 10 to 12 weeks is recommended to assess the development of personality traits.[38] ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Prior to testing, have your dog go to the bathroom. If he needs to go during the test, this could affect the test results.[39] ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Remember that you cannot change a dog’s genetics. That being said, it is still possible to manage and improve how your dog responds to and interacts with his environment. Temperament testing will provide you with a good overall picture of your dog’s behavior, which will help you understand your dog better and improve your communication and relationship with him. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
  • Temperament Puppy Testing

    Experienced breeders and puppy raisers can tell a lot about a puppy’s temperament from an early age. Here, we will share some of their tips with you when it comes to learning about your pup’s personality as well as provide a basic understanding of the developmental stages of puppies.