“He was so cute, who knew he would grow up to be such a problem?" While all puppies are cute and seem to say “take me home”, it is very important to choose one that will be well suited to your family. Remember, this may be a 10 -15 year commitment!

The following is a simple test you can administer when picking a puppy. All family members should be present, but only one should conduct the test. Make sure the puppies are awake and not hungry, and begin by observing them from a distance. Take notes on which ones are loudest, bossiest, shyest and so on. The tests score each puppy in five areas: social attraction, people-following tendencies, restraint (holding) dominance, social (petting) dominance and elevation dominance. Tests should be conducted away from the other puppies.

Social Attraction
Pick up a puppy, then put down in the test area. Begin to walk away, facing the puppy as you go. Crouch down and clap your hands.

• If pup follows or comes quickly with tail up and jumps/bites your hand, score dd (double dominant).
• If pup follows quickly with tail up, but no biting/jumping, score d (dominant).
• If he comes with tail down and sidles a bit, score s (submissive).
• If he approaches with extreme shyness, including rolling over or urinating, score ss (super-submissive).
• If he does not come at all, score i (independent).

People-Following Tendencies
Start walking away from the puppy, keeping an eye on him. Continue to walk until the puppy either follows or does not follow.

• If the pup follows and tries to impede your progress or bites at feet, score dd.
• If he follows, tail up but no biting or attempt to impede, score d.
• If he follows, tail down with no attempt to impede, score s.
• If he lags or does not follow, but seems to want to, score ss.
• If he shows no interest in you, score i.

Restraint (holding) Dominance
Gently restrain the puppy by rolling him onto back and holding him firmly with one had on his chest and your thumb and little finger under his armpits. Restrain him for 30 seconds.

• If the puppy fights wildly the entire time, including biting, score dd.
• If he fights, but not wildly, score d.
• If he struggles, but only for a few seconds, score s.
• If he does not struggle at all, score ss.

Social (petting) Dominance
Sit puppy down in front of you, facing you. Pet gently from the back of the neck down to shoulders.

• If he bites at your hands and growls, score dd.
• If he mouths or paws at you, but does not bite, score d.
• If he seems to enjoy the petting, score s.
• If he licks at your hands or rolls over, score ss.

Elevation Dominance
Interlace your fingers together and make a cradle under the puppy’s chest. Lift puppy up (in a comfortable position) about 5 inches off the ground, for thirty seconds.

• If he struggles wildly, bites or growls, score dd.
• If he struggles the entire time, but not wildly, score d.
• If he struggles initially, but then relaxes, score s.
• If there is no struggle, score ss.

What do the scores mean?

• Two dd’s with other d’s may not be a good choice for families with small children or older people. If you do select this dog, all family members should repeat the tests daily until the dog accepts dominant handling. The dog should also be picked up and held by each family member for a few minutes every day.
• Three or more d’s especially with a dd indicates a bossy, outgoing puppy. Rough physical handling should be avoided and the tests should be conducted daily.
• Three or more s’s indicates that a puppy will fit in well in most situations. Two or more ss’s show that a puppy is highly submissive and he will need a lot of praise and gentle handling. This type of dog should not be physically punished.