Re: [PyrNet-L] Rescues

["Donna Coffman" <dcoffman@erols.com>]

Thanks for the useful info.


----------
> From: Patti Brunkala <menditar@grrtech.com>
> To: pyrnet-l@gamerz.net
> Subject: Re: [PyrNet-L] Rescues
> Date: Thursday, March 26, 1998 3:46 PM
> 
> > Hello,
> > 	I have a question about evaluating the temperment of not only Rescues,
> but
> > also puppies.
>  ,< < snip > >
>  Is
> > there any info ar step-by-step material out there. So far everything
has
> > gone good, but I would hate to "guess" wrong and do an injustice to
> either
> > a dog or person. Also what about puppies, how do you know a dominate
(to
> > humans) dog from a passive type at 8 to 10 weeks of age. 
> 
> Hi Sharon.
> 
> There is a good temperament test in "Livestock Protection Dogs 
Selection,
> Care and Training" by David E. Sims & Orysia Dawydiak.  This includes a
> description and steps of giving the PAT (Puppy Aptitude Test).  It is
> cautioned, however, that temperament testing a puppy is a useful
indicator
> of temperament, not a foolproof predictor.  This test can be given from 6
> to 10 or 12 weeks of age and the pups reactions are scored on the
> following:
> Social Aptitude includes:  Social Attraction,  Following, Restraint
> Dominance (of which part some breeders do not like to give because they
do
> not like to restrain their pup), Social Dominance, and Elevation
Dominance.
> 
> Obedience Aptitute includes:  Retrieving (this test is not specially made
> for pyrs <g>), Touch Sensitivity, Sound Sensitivity, Chase Instinct, and
> Sight Sensitivity.
> General Category:  Energy level.
> Response to Livestock Category (for livestock guarding temperament
> testing):  Passive Livestock, no eye contact;  Active Stock, eye contact;

> Aggressive Stock, eye contact, stomping, lowered head; and Aggressive
> Stock, charges puppy.
> And finally, the Barrier test.
> 
> This book is published by OTR Publications, P.O. Box 1243, Ft. Payne, AL
> 35967, and you can probably order it from one of the on-line book stores
> also.  If you want more info, you can e-mail me privately, although I'm
> only stating what's in the book, and I have only given one litter this
> test, so I am only a beginner myself!  :-)   BTW, this test does not only
> test for good livestock guarding abilities, but also for submissive and
> aggressive tendancies, in order to help place the pups in proper homes. 
> Again, temperament testing is not a foolproof method of determining adult
> behavior, especially when the environment where the pup grows up is going
> to have a big influence on his/her adult temperament.
> 
> Patti Brunkala
> menditar@grrtech.com
> Gold Hill, Oregon
> 
>