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Puppy Aptitude Testing

I am currently reading a book not directly related to coonhounds, but still a very informative book called" The Art of Raising A Puppy" From the Monks of New Skete
I have found this book to be a lot more informative on puppys then almost any other information I have read anywhere.

The writer(s) specialize in breeding German Shepards and are so well known and there puppies are in such high demand that they actually require any interested buyers to fill out applications to purchase a pup. They then will use the information from applicants to match a puppy to suit the needs of the interested buyer.

They accomplish this by using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test.
The monks will do a controlled test with the pups individually, alone with a complete stranger, in a controlled setting.

The test has several phases

Social Attraction
Restraint
Social Dominance
Elevation Dominance
Obediance
Touch Sensitivity
Sound Sensitivity
Sight Sensitivity

The pups that scored lower were often sent to professional handlers, that were involved in schutzhund work. These pups were the pups with traits of independence,dominance and aggression. Pups that scored higher in these test were given to applicants that were looking more for a family pet.

I thought this test might be successful or one similar to it if done properly might be useful in discovering at an early age which puppys would have more of an aptitude for competition and hunting, and which would do better as a weekend hunter.

I was wondering if anyone out there has thought of attempting to use science in picking out pup, as opposed to buying one based on looks or an old timer's wise tail. I would hope a positive discussion could be developed here in the areas of identifying aptitudes at an early age.
After all a breed is only as good as there breeders.

Look up the Hound Puppy Test for Search and Rescue and Police Work ..

If you use these Tests in your Selection you will be selecting the Best pup in a litter ..

These Groups are making some of the Highest Investments anyone Can make ..

This mean 2 years of training tons of Man hours and Travel Expence !!

They can Rack up an easy $10,000 !!! And they won't waste one $ one a pup that doesn't pass with a high score !!!

__________________
Steve Morrow "Saltlick Majestic's"
"Never Have Hounds Or Kids And You Won't Get Your Heart Broke"!!

540-421-2875

PR, Saltlick's Blue Misty Linga "Bluetick Coonhound"

French X American Hounds

So in theory, by exposing your puppys to a coon tail, you were testing for levels aggression?

Did you do this with each pup alone, or did you show it to them as a whole?

Did you drag it all or just wiggle it in front of them?

If you did it show it to them as a liter, maybe we could also deem that they may also be a little more dominant hunters then the rest of the pack?

Is it possible if showed to each one individually, that you may have overlooked a pup that maybe wasn't as dominant, in the liter, but could be still as aggressive out side of the pack, when handled alone?

These are the questions, and things I feel that we asking and mulling over.

Fisher13

Good post, thanks. I've wondered about this. Found a dog IQ test once and applied to a hound. It wasn't very scientific as no mathematical way to score; just observation. One I liked was called "object permanence". You let the dog see you put something under a plastic cup then lead him away out of sight of the cup and wait for a couple of minutes. Afterward loose him and see if he will go check under the cup to see what you put there. There were several of these little tests.

I'd be skeptical of predicting hunting ability based on whether a young hound would consistently show interest in a coon tail but if your selecting at only a few weeks old that's probably as good a test as any..

quote:

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Originally posted by kynat
Was just looking for litter domince and grit. or what reaction i could get too make my pick. Just happen the best looking one shows most stuff. was very happy with this pick. But may not be the best of the litter only time will tell which will be best.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Majestic Tree H
Look up the Hound Puppy Test for Search and Rescue and Police Work ..

If you use these Tests in your Selection you will be selecting the Best pup in a litter ..

These Groups are making some of the Highest Investments anyone Can make ..

This mean 2 years of training tons of Man hours and Travel Expence !!

They can Rack up an easy $10,000 !!! And they won't waste one $ one a pup that doesn't pass with a high score !!!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by HuckFinn
Fisher13

Good post, thanks. I've wondered about this. Found a dog IQ test once and applied to a hound. It wasn't very scientific as no mathematical way to score; just observation. One I liked was called "object permanence". You let the dog see you put something under a plastic cup then lead him away out of sight of the cup and wait for a couple of minutes. Afterward loose him and see if he will go check under the cup to see what you put there. There were several of these little tests.

I'd be skeptical of predicting hunting ability based on whether a young hound would consistently show interest in a coon tail but if your selecting at only a few weeks old that's probably as good a test as any..

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Guys just to be clear, I am in know way saying one can predict ability. I am saying that one can make observations about individuals in the litter. I would think the pups that display more alpha dog tendencies, would be more suited for competition hunting, and would be more attractive to those hunters, and vice versa a young hunter might prefer a dog that is a little more social and submissive. For that dog will obv be easier to train and handle most likely. Obv only this will work out if the pup does indeed have the ability to be a coonhound.

We have had trainers come and test our pups .. And have made top choices .. This is No Joke to their Methods and Scoring ..

http://www.gak9.com/puppy-testing/

This one is for German Sheperds the Hound Selection goes more into Tracking ..

__________________
Steve Morrow "Saltlick Majestic's"
"Never Have Hounds Or Kids And You Won't Get Your Heart Broke"!!

540-421-2875

PR, Saltlick's Blue Misty Linga "Bluetick Coonhound"

French X American Hounds

quote:

---

Originally posted by Majestic Tree H
We have had trainers come and test our pups .. And have made top choices .. This is No Joke to their Methods and Scoring ..

http://www.gak9.com/puppy-testing/

This one is for German Sheperds the Hound Selection goes more into Tracking ..

---

Btt

I picked my pup about 3 seconds after she came out of her momma. She turned out just fine for me, so if you want someone to pick you the winner in the group, bring me over to my house. I'll pick mine, then ill find you one! Lol

__________________
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