Benchmark Working Puppy Aptitude Test

This temperament and aptitude test has been developed by Benchmark Working Dobermanns, detailing the behaviors we look for in the selection of a prospect for PSA, with input and support from experienced top level Doberman competitors from IGP and Mondioring. This test is specifically geared toward the selection and evaluation of working puppies. The test is designed to be performed at age 6 to 8 weeks, either by the breeder ​or a person unfamiliar to the puppies, in an unfamiliar setting. The puppies are always to be tested individually, away from littermates and mother. Each test item is scored on a scale of 1-5. Pecking order within the litter is to be noted by the breeder for informational purposes. Any observations or deviations from the descriptions are to be noted in the notes section of each test item. This test is based upon the assumption that any litters being tested have been properly handled and socialized by the breeder, and the accuracy of the scoring is dependent upon the puppies being reasonably  accustomed to being handled. Puppies who have been raised outdoors without much human interaction are more likely to have skewed test results. If testing a litter that has not been handled much, please note that on the test form and assess the scores keeping that information in mind.

Litter:

Collar color/ID:

Age:

Date of Birth:

Notes:

People Skills

This test item is designed to gauge a puppy's social inclinations with humans, identify social confidence and independent traits. The puppy is to be set down in the middle of the room, the tester will retreat a few steps and call the puppy.

1- Avoids tester. Doesn't come when called. When picked up, either shuts down or struggles to get away.  (Circle One)
2- Comes if coaxed or if person is sitting down. Uncomfortable with being picked up. When person walks away, doesn't follow person much if at all.
3- Comes when called, but slowly, with a submissive low body posture. Tail tucked or carried low and wagging. Sniffs/licks face when picked up but wants to get back down. When person walks away, will follow some, but not very far from starting point.
4- Comes when called, licks face when picked up. When person walks away, follows readily. 
5- Comes running when called. Wants to be picked up, licks vigorously, may bite or paw at face in excitement. Always underfoot. When person walks away, follows readily. Seeks attention from people over littermates.

Notes:

Prey Drive

Test item toy is to be easily gripped by the puppy. Soft, thin stuffed animal, soft suede rag, burlap, etc. Toy is tied to a string to be dragged on the ground. Tester will set the puppy in the middle of the room and drop the toy near the puppy. As soon as the puppy notices the toy, tested will begin slowly dragging the toy to provoke prey drive. As puppy engages with toy, tester will allow puppy to catch it and gently tug on the string, increasing how vigorously the toy "fights/flails" to assess the puppy's reactions. While puppy is holding toy, tester will stop tugging and let the toy go "dead", to assess possessiveness, grip, prey carrying. When the puppy drops the toy, tester will resume dragging, gradually picking up speed to assess at what point the puppy loses interest.

 1- Little to no interest in moving toy, no desire to chase or put mouth on toy.
2- Will pick up toy if it is easy, shows no commitment to it, gives up easily. Not willing to expend much energy for the toy.
3- Easily stimulated to chase, but gives up if toy moves too quickly or gets too far away. Loses interest if toy goes dead or fights/flails too hard.
4- Will chase anything that moves. Strikes fast and grips nicely. Loses intensity if toy goes dead. Reengages easily when toy becomes "alive" again, enjoys some fighting/flailing from the toy.
5- Will chase anything that moves. Strikes fast and grips hard and full. Committed and will chase moving toy for long duration. Doesn't give up easily. Wraps toy with feet, shows possession. When toy goes dead, puppy goes for a deeper grip, carries toy around. Reengages quickly when toy gets away and is re-caught. Toy fighting/flailing excites puppy. 

Notes:

Startle Response and Recovery

Puppy is tested for sight and sound sensitivity. Test part 1, an umbrella is popped open and gently set on the ground. Test part 2, a small plastic jug or bottle of pebbles is shaken and then dropped on the ground. Puppy is to be set down in the middle of the room and tester is to move a few feet away from the puppy to begin.

1- Puppy runs away at sight/sound of test item(s) and does not recover or return.
2- Puppy runs away at sight/sound of test item(s), does not return on its' own but can be coaxed back with praise and/or food from tester.
3- Puppy retreats short distance at sight/sound of test item(s), but then cautiously returns on its own to investigate.
4- Puppy freezes or jumps at sight/sound of test item(s), then recovers and investigates on its own, cautious but willing to paw at object or try to play with it.
5- Puppy has little to no startle reaction at sight/sound of test item(s), charges at object, attacks or plays with it.

Notes:

Food Drive

Food to be used is a high value treat. Deli meat, frozen Bil-Jac (thawed) or something similar. Puppy is offered food from hand. If they will eat it, hand slowly moves away to see if puppy will follow the food. If the puppy can be lured with the food, gradually increase speed of motion and attempt to lure puppy over obstacles such as your legs when in a seated position on the floor, create distraction by slapping the ground with the non-food hand or making similar non-threatening sound for distraction purposes, behind your back or off to the side away from the puppy.

1-Puppy is not interested in the food at all.
2-Puppy will eat from hand, but will not follow the food. Loses interest quickly.
3- Puppy will eat from hand and will follow food when lured, provided the food moves slowly enough. Loses interest after a short time. 
4- Puppy eagerly follows food when lured, stays engaged but won't work for the food if there is any distraction or obstacle.
5- Puppy eagerly follows food when lured, stays engaged, will continue to work for food even with distractions and/or obstacles.

Notes:

Environmental Confidence

Puppy will be tested with a new surface, (a tarp), and with an elevated surface, (a small sturdy table). Puppy will first be placed in the middle of the tarp on the floor.  When placed on the table,  puppy will be given a chance to settle on the table, then table will be wobbled a little by tester to gauge response.

1- Puppy is afraid of the tarp, scurries to get off of it. When placed on the table, cowers/lays down. Does not recover. Will not accept food. 
2- Cautious on tarp, moves slowly with low posture. Very uncomfortable on table, takes time to acclimate. Lays down when table wobbles. Hesitant to accept food. May take food and spit it out.
3- Inspects tarp but quickly recovers. When placed on table, is unsure at first but does recover. When table wobbles, gets into low posture, but does recover after. Will accept food after recovery.
4- Eager to explore tarp.  Inspects table, is cautious but is not fearful. When table wobbles, puppy is gets low for a moment but recovers quickly. Eager to eat after recovery.
5- Confident on tarp, excited by noises it makes. May bite at it. Has no issue with being placed on the table, may confidently walk right to the edge. Unfazed by wobbling table. Eager to eat food and play on the table.

Notes:

Pain Tolerance and Response

In a seated position on the floor, tester will place puppy on the floor between their spread legs, and gently pinch the skin of the puppy's flank between thumb and forefinger, gradually increasing pressure while counting to 10, stopping when the puppy responds or when tester reaches count of 10.  Choose both how long it took the puppy to respond, and how they responded.
Circle response behavior: 
1. Puppy spins around growling/snarling, may show teeth, may bite hand.       
​2. Puppy yelps, tries to get away, may tuck tail.       
​3. Does not respond or does not show any signs of discomfort, may turn around and lick hand.

Circle response time:
​1. One to two seconds
2. Three to four seconds
3. Five to six seconds
4. Seven to eight seconds
5. Nine to ten seconds

Notes: 

Pecking Order

Breeder's observations:

Reading results

*Please keep in mind that the degree of socialization the puppy has had plays a great role in how he performs for these tests and how he scores, and none of these results are absolute. Animals are malleable and while genetics play a huge role, the care, training and guidance a puppy receives from its owner also contribute to the end result. These scores are intended to be a guideline to help provide information to the puppy's breeder and to those interested in adding a puppy to their families, to ensure the right puppy is matched to the right family. If a puppy is demonstrating low scores but the tester sees potential to improve the scores with more attention or exposure, that should be included in the notes.

Mostly 1's: Puppy is "soft", and has little prey or food drive. May tend toward independence. Low threshold for pain. Unlikely to be a prospect for any protection sports. Most likely best suited as a pet/family companion only. Will need confidence building and socialization to overcome insecurities.

Mostly 2's: Puppy is "soft". With a patient owner and with confidence building, prey and food drive may be able to be built significantly. Unlikely to be a prospect for any protection sports but may be a good candidate for performance events such as obedience, rally, agility or nose work. 

Mostly 3's: Puppy is medium prey and food drive, but can easily be built to a medium/high level. With a patient handler, puppy is likely to be a good candidate for performance events, or possibly club-level/entry-level protection sports. May make a good prospect for Search and Rescue, detection work, or as a demo dog.

Mostly 4's: Puppy is medium/high food and prey drive. Likely to be a good prospect for protection sports with a good handler. May make a good prospect for Search and Rescue, detection, or as a demo dog. May be a bit much for an average family to manage unless experienced and willing to commit to ongoing training classes.

​Mostly 5's: Strong, confident and pushy, this puppy is high prey and high food drive, possessive, likely a great prospect for protection sports. High threshold for pain, tends to react with aggression rather than retreat when that pain threshold is met. Most likely needs an experienced and dedicated handler to prevent behavior issues. Will need a regular outlet for physical and mental energy. In the wrong hands, this puppy is likely to become destructive, and may demonstrate socially dominant or aggressive behavior.