new experiences will actually help
build his self-confidence.
Dedicated breeders such as Kerry
Blue Terrier breeder, Diana Thompson,
utilize Dr. Stanley Coren’s Obedience
Personality Test (OPT) for puppies at
seven weeks of age. A person unknown
to the puppies tests each individual
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
•
Sandra Murray
o
bedience
P
erSonality
P
uPPy
t
eSt
This series of exercises, done with individual puppies at seven weeks of age,
provides the breeder with valuable insights into each puppy’s personality and
at which activities it should excel as an adult. The volunteer tester is a person
unknown to the puppies. The test chart was created by Stanley Coren, PhD,
noted author and behavioral psychology expert.
Photos below were provided by Diana Thompson of Diana’s Kerries, a Kerry Blue
Terrier Kennel
(www.dianaskerries.com
).
Here in the Social Dominance/Loss of Control
exercise, the tester bends over the puppy with
puppy facing away and using hands as cradles
lifts the dog off the ground for 30 seconds. Notes
on chart indicate how vigorously and how long
the puppy struggled and if he was aggressive or
submissive. Tester calms and pets puppy before
continuing to next exercise.
This puppy is
being given the Response to Food Stimuli test in
which the tester allows him to smell and then have
a high value treat. Then the tester will hold a treat
in a cupped hand to see if the puppy will nuzzle or
paw at the hand for the treat which is then given
to it. Finally, the tester will hold another treat with
the tips of the fingers, wave it gently under the
pup’s nose, and then slowly rotate in a complete
360
degree circle with no verbal encouragement
to the pup.
Ideally, the puppy will nuzzle or paw at the tester’s hand for the treat and
then follow the tester around the 360 degree turn.
This puppy gives the desired calm, curious
response to the Stability exercise in which an
umbrella is popped open and set on the floor.
No eye contact or spoken words are given to the
puppy during this exercise.
For more photos and explanations of the Puppy
Personality Test, go to Diana Thompson’s website.
pup during twelve exercises which
do not necessarily need to be done
in order. The exercises measure the
degree to which puppies demonstrate
responsiveness to the tester, and
aggressive or submissive behaviors.
Ideally, each puppy will show happy
self-confidence and willingness to
is
but then quickly toddle over to the
food pan for their meal. Very quickly,
the pups associate loud noises with
mealtime. Soon, when puppies hear
the bang and rattle of pots and pans
hitting the floor, the whole litter
comes running for their food. This
desensitization to loud noises protects
the puppies from future fears of
thunder storms, fireworks, marching
bands, gunfire, noisy indoor dog show
sites – you name it, these pups will
possess an emotional resiliency needed
during such situations. This is also the
time to begin exposing the puppies
to different rooms in the house, to
different footings, to different toys of
varying sizes, shapes, and colors.
7
to
12
weekS old
During this time, a puppy deeply
bonds with humans. Because of ESS
and
socialization/desensitization
preparation done by the breeder
during this period, puppies will
move on to their new homes with a
happy confidence. Training begun by
the breeder during this time will be
continued by the new owners. This
work will include a continuation of
desensitizing puppies to all of the
noisy household appliances: garbage
disposals,
vacuum
cleaners,
dishwashers, garage door openers, and
loud television programs. Also, short
trips in the car accustom puppies to
the noise and movement of vehicles
and the experience of traveling. Your
puppy’s need to be close to his human
while exposed to all of these positive
72 •
S
how
S
ight
M
agazine
,
D
ecember
2012