Temperament Testing

Ensuring puppies are placed in the right homes is essential for their long-term success and happiness. I offer Volhard Temperament Testing to local breeders and rescues to help evaluate each puppy’s natural tendencies, making informed placement decisions easier and more effective.

What is the Volhard Temperament Test?

The Volhard Test is a structured evaluation designed to assess a puppy’s personality, confidence level, sociability, and response to new experiences. The test provides a snapshot of each puppy’s temperament at around seven weeks old, offering insights into their future potential. Learn More!

Why is the Volhard Temperament test important?

The Volhard Temperament Test is a valuable tool for breeders and rescues looking to make informed decisions about puppy placements. While it provides a snapshot of a puppy’s natural temperament at around seven weeks old, it plays a crucial role in ensuring each pup is set up for success in their new home.

Helps to Match Puppies to the Right Homes

Not every puppy is suited for every household. Some puppies are naturally confident and energetic, thriving in active homes with experienced handlers, while others are more reserved and do best in quieter environments. The test helps identify these differences, allowing for responsible placements that suit both the puppy and their future family.

Identifies Potential Working Dog or Service Dog Candidates

Certain puppies have the focus, confidence, and temperament suited for specialized work such as service dog training, therapy work, or specific jobs like search and rescue. By assessing traits like resilience, willingness to engage, and problem-solving ability, the Volhard Test helps pinpoint puppies with the potential to excel in these roles.

Guides Training and Socialization Plans

Understanding a puppy’s natural tendencies allows new owners, trainers, and breeders to tailor training methods and socialization strategies. A highly confident puppy may need structured boundaries, while a more timid puppy may benefit from positive exposure to new environments at a slower pace.

Reduces Risk of Future Rehoming

A well-matched placement leads to a stronger bond between puppy and owner, decreasing the likelihood of behavioral challenges that could result in rehoming. When families understand their puppy’s natural personality and needs from the start, they’re better prepared to support their development, leading to happier dogs and lifelong companionship.

A Snapshot, Not a Prediction

While the Volhard Test is an excellent tool for assessing early temperament, it’s not a definitive predictor of a dog’s future personality. A puppy’s training, socialization, and environment will continue to shape their behavior as they grow. The test provides a foundation to help set each puppy up for the best possible start in life.

Temperament Test Your Puppies Today!

Ensure your puppies are placed in the best possible homes with the Volhard Temperament Test! I offer professional evaluations for breeders and rescues, helping match each puppy to the right family or working role for a lifetime of success.

Would you like me to temperament test your litter? Let's Chat!

Get in touch so we can pawsatively place your puppies.

Understanding

Volhard Temperament Test

The Volhard Temperament Test is a structured evaluation designed to assess a puppy’s natural temperament at around seven weeks old. It consists of a series of exercises that measure key personality traits, helping breeders and rescues make informed placement decisions. The test is conducted in a neutral environment with a new handler to gauge the puppy’s natural responses without prior influence.

What the Test Evaluates

The test consists of ten exercises, each designed to assess different aspects of a puppy’s temperament, including:

Social Attraction

Measures how willing the puppy is to interact with a stranger and seek human companionship.

Following

Evaluates the puppy’s confidence in following a person and willingness to engage.

Restraint

Tests how the puppy responds to gentle handling and being placed in a submissive position.

Social Dominance

Assesses how the puppy reacts to human touch and handling without being restrained.

Elevation Dominance

Measures the puppy’s comfort level when lifted off the ground, which can indicate tolerance to handling.

Retrieving

Evaluates a puppy’s instinct to chase and return an object, indicating trainability and working potential.

Touch Sensitivity

Evaluates how the puppy reacts to mild pressure on the paw, helping gauge sensitivity levels.

Sound Sensitivity

Evaluates how the puppy reacts to mild pressure on the paw, helping gauge sensitivity levels.

Sight Sensitivity

Assesses how puppy reacts to moving objects, this gives insight into confidence and reactivity.

Stability

Evaluates how puppy handles unexpected stimuli, indicating resilience & recovery from surprise.

Why These Traits Matter

Each puppy’s responses provide insight into their personality, including:

Confidence vs. Cautiousness

Helps determine if a puppy is bold, adaptable, or needs extra encouragement.

Independence vs. Dependency

Identifies if a puppy is highly people-oriented or more self-sufficient.

Trainability & Focus

Highlights which puppies are eager to learn and engage in structured training.

Resilience & Recovery

Shows how quickly a puppy bounces back from startling situations.

Let's Set Your Puppies up for Success!

The Volhard Temperament Test is a valuable tool for breeders and rescues to ensure puppies are placed in the best possible homes. While it offers a snapshot of a puppy’s natural personality, how they are raised, trained, and socialized will continue to shape their development.

By understanding each puppy’s temperament early on, we can help match them with families or working roles where they will thrive, reducing the risk of future rehoming and setting them up for a happy, fulfilling life.

If you’re looking to make informed, thoughtful placement decisions, I offer Volhard Temperament Testing for local breeders and rescues. Contact me today to schedule a session and give your puppies the best start possible!