Puppy Aptitude Testing

This is something we have always been interested in for the past 18 years or so. In the early 1990's I studied with the Canine Studies Institute under one of Britain's (In my opinion !) top Canine Behaviourists - the late John Fisher. One of the requirements was to undertake a specialist study on a canine related topic. I choose dog psychology and behaviour. In the study I researched the effect of operant conditioning using positive reinforcement. I carried out short tests and recorded my findings. Needless to say this is something I have been interested in for many years.

Puppy aptitude testing allows us to gauge a puppy's response to certain stimuli. It must be said that this kind of testing is not foolproof and should only be used as a guide to possible characterisitics - puppies like, humans, dogs and other animals may react differently in different environments on different days with different people - if you understand my meaning !! However there is merit in understanding any kind of canine response.

Within the test certain predetermined actions are carried out by the tester to determine responses under test conditions. These are scored and the scores interpreted to give a result. Some of the tests may give an inbetween score so good judgement must be made by the tester. The overall interpretation of the the results can then be used to guide the right puppy into the right home.