gsally

So I've found a litter of pups born recently which would make the homecoming date do-able (June), which works out perfectly for the pet nanny service I can work out with my daughter who is a teacher and off for the summer. Here's the thing, I'd be the last person making a deposit and wouldn't have an opportunity to "choose" a pup, I'd be getting the pup that was left after everyone else made their choice. Is there cause for concern with a situation such as this?

Mikey T

Contrary to popular belief most puppy temperment testing is B.S. the only consistent behavioral trait carried from puppyhood to adulthood is fearful. This is a trait you would want to avoid. A fearful puppy will never become and out going one and will only become worse on less extensively counteractive. Fear also can be the underly cause of many aggressive behaviors. It is well document most dog bite out of fear.

Pass on a fearful puppy other than that you should be ok if you are active in habituation and socialization of the pup along with the breeder prior to getting the dog.


Temperament and personality in dogs
(Canis familiaris): A review and evaluation
of past research

Puppy Testing
Predictive Value of Tests

How Do You Score as a Puppy Picker?

Soundtrack

It is my opinion that it is far more important to pick the breeder than the individual puppy.

If you are getting the puppy from a good source, the last puppy in the litter will still be a good one. If you are getting it from a poor source, then even the "pick" puppy may not be worth taking home.

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hig4s

You have quoted other people's papers, There are lots of papers out there by respected professionals that disagree. Do you have any personal experience with puppy testing? Or at least know someone that does?


What???? I don't actually understand that sentence.



This is from a top pro breeder, that I personally know, that does puppy testing, about puppy evaluations.

"There are many of these results that do and will change as the puppy becomes an adult. They are altered by socialization, proper training and nurturing to promote confidence and suppress dominance and expand retention. The areas that we have found will not change to any great degree are energy level, disposition, play extent, attention, all physical sensitivities, mental stability, intelligence and memory. The other areas can be formed and molded by how the puppy is trained and by environment. Conformation can even change slightly, especially when speaking about the head; substance; size; and rears of the dog."

Mikey T

That what happens when I type at 3 am

A fearful puppy will never become an out-going one, as it matures it will only become worse unless the self-reward nature of the behavior/personality is extensively counteracted with lifetime training and behavior modification,


There are not any sceintific peer reviewed studies that validate puppy temperment testing ability is predict adult personality that I am aware of. . The best that exist is a strong corrolation between Fearfulness as a puppy and fearfulness as an adult. One need to keep in min that those the perform temperment tests do so because they believe in the result of such test hence they have a built in bias. There proclomations are simply opinion based on limited anticdotal evidence, it is not supported by the scientific evidence that exsits to date. It is their responsibility to prove the validity of such tests not the other way round, which to date has not been done, Even those that perform such test will admit to limited usefullness.


There is huge disagreement beteween pratitionioner on how to test, what to test, how to evaluate result, Number of encounters need etc This just points out how little consences actual exists in the field.

gsally

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I asked b/c I wanted to hear different opinions. Thank you for sharing them.

I'd have to say I like the advice of #2, Soundtrack and I appreciate the reminder of how important it is to screen the breeder (who will also be screening the potential buyer). Secondly, I do agree somewhat with the "fear" factor. Our first family pet was a hyperactive black lab that was afraid of everything and only like my husband. She never bonded with me or anyone else but him. It was a hopeless situation b/c we just couldn't devote the time she "needed".

All of these opinions have some valid facts/points. I just have to think/hope, what will be will be! Take a gamble, take the plunge. I seem to be searching for the perfect situation, perfect puppy, perfect timing. I don't know what is holding me back other than thinking I'll never find a replacement for my girl Lucy!

Rusty Stickers Mom

I do think choosing a good breeder is the key. I did much research before I got Rusty & Stickers and passed on several Basset pups. It was well worth the time and effort.

hig4s

OK, now it makes sense.


And most of those that do scientific studies, (in all areas not just dogs) are trying to prove their point and also have built in bias. When the anecdotal evidence has been personally gathered by people personally I know over many years and I have seen it myself, while I will try to give the scientists the benefit of the doubt, I keep in mind they do not breed and raise dogs for a living, and I have to take the information from people that have committed their lives to doing just that as seriously, if not more so than I do the scientists.

gsally

It's so hard to be patient..............we miss our Lucy so much and have so many mixed emotions about starting over. There is a huge void in our life, the only way we can think of to fill that void is to get another basset. My husband and I both think when the right opportunity comes along..............it will all work out! Thanks for the encouragement and reminder to be patient!

BTW-we are passing on my recent find.

hig4s

We just lost our Peanut in January, she was the easiest dog to house train I've ever had. We decided no dog could ever fill the void she left, so we got two new basset puppies. If nothing else the sleep deprivation from trying to train two at the same time keeps us from thinking too much about that she is gone.