FIRST AND FOREMOST WE DO NOT TEMPERAMENT TEST IN OUR HOME.  IT MUST BE DONE IN A NEW PLACE WITH A NEW PERSON THAT THEY HAVEN’T SEEN TO GET A TRUE READING. Our puppies are temperament tested at 7 weeks of age or 49 days.  This is the absolute best time to test.  At this age, the puppy’s brain waves are the same as an adult dog.  Not all puppies will test the same, and the differences will assist in placing the puppy in the most appropriate environment.  We start with the Volhard test and our tester adds to this list for working type dogs.  In our case therapy, hunting and service dogs. 

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. 

This is amazing test and it really can tell a lot about your puppy.