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Before the Volhard puppy aptitude test came on board, puppy tests were already in existence. In fact, this test drew its features from puppy tests dating back to the 1960s.

However, the Volhard puppy aptitude test is being adopted by different dog experts. Some also use it to help customers get the dog they want and are most well-matched.

But how does the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test work? Where can one download a Volhard puppy aptitude test printable? Well, we have provided all these answers and more.

So, if you’re looking forward to welcoming a puppy into your home, and considering the Volhard puppy aptitude test, then let’s tell you everything you need to know about it.

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What is Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Meaning?

Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test is a way to test the behavioral tendencies of puppies and predict what each puppy will be like as an adult.

This is called the ‘Puppy Temperature Test’ or ‘Puppy Personality Test’. This was developed by dog experts Joachim and Wendy Volhard.

What is the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Age?

So you may be wondering: what is the Volhard puppy aptitude test age? Or at what age should I take my puppy for the Volhard puppy aptitude test?

The Volhard puppy aptitude test age is 49 days old (7 weeks). So, testing before or after that age can affect the outcome of this test.

However, this effect can also depend on the time before or after the 49th day. To be on the good side, it’s better to opt for the 49th day.

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How Does the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Work?

During the test, the tester performs various exercises with the puppy. The following are some of what the Volhard puppy test helps to determine:

Social attraction
Following restraints
Social dominance
Retrieving
Touch sensitivity
Sound sensitivity
Sight sensitivity
Stability and energy level

Social attraction measures the degree of social attraction to people, confidence, and dependency.

To test the puppy’s social attraction, the owner or caretaker brings it into the test area. Then he keeps it four feet away from the tester and leaves the test area.

After that, the tester encouragingly and gently coarse the puppy to come to him. He does this by clapping and calling the puppy.

Tips: You can kneel backward and ensure your hands are on your body. This means you don’t reach out to the dog.

Following

This is where the tester stands up and encourages the puppy to follow while he slowly walks away. Ensure the puppy sees you and walks away.

Tips: So make sure its focus is on you. You can achieve this by lightly clapping your hand to encourage the puppy to follow you. However, avoid the temptation to reach out to the puppy.

Restraints

The essence of the Restraints strategy is to test the puppy’s response to being placed on its back.

So, the tester crouches down and gently rolls the puppy on its back and holds it on
its back for 30 seconds.

Tips: The tester should hold the puppy down without applying too much pressure.

Elevation Dominance

The elevation dominance tests the puppy’s level of accepting dominance while in a position of no control such as at the vet or grommet.

So, here the tester cradles the puppy with both hands at the same time supporting it under its chest and gently lifts its two feet off the ground and holds it there for 30 seconds.

Under social dominance, the tester lets the puppy stand or sit. Then he gently strokes it from the front of the head to the back while he crouches beside it.

Now, see if the puppy will lick your face. If it does, it is a sign of its forgiving nature. Now, continue stroking until you see a behavior you can record.

Tips: When you crouch beside the puppy, avoid leaning or hovering over the puppy. Keep the puppy at your side. Also, consider, having the puppy at your side with both of you facing the same direction.

Retrieving

Here’s where you can know if the puppy would likely respond to “fetch” instructions.

so, the tester first crouches beside the puppy. Then he attracts its attention with a crumpled-up piece of paper. When the puppy shows some interest, then the tester throws the paper no more than four feet in front of the puppy encouraging it to retrieve or fetch the paper.

Touch Sensitivity

Another interesting part of Volhard’s puppy test is to test how sensitive the puppy is to touch.

The tester goes about this by locating the webbing of one of the puppy’s front paws. Then presses it gently between his index finger and thumb. The rule is to gradually increase pressure while counting to 10.

However, you have to stop once the puppy pulls away or shows any sign of discomfort.

Sight Sensitivity

The tester can also test the puppy’s sight sensitivity. He can do this by placing the puppy at the center of the test area.

Then he ties a string around a bath towel and jerks it across the floor, two feet away from the puppy.

Stability

This test measures the puppy’s level of startle response to a strange object. So, the tester will open an umbrella and place it on the floor about five feet away from the puppy.

Then watch to see how the puppy reacts to it to assess its stability.

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Puppy Aptitude Test Rules

Conduct the test in a location unfamiliar to the puppies. However, this does not necessarily mean you should take the puppies away from home. You can simply make use of a room in the house where they have not been or any other place that’s about 10 feet square.
Test the puppies one at a time.
Make sure only the scorer and the tester are present.
Also, make sure the puppies do not know the tester.
In addition, the scorer must also be a disinterested party.
Also, ensure that the scorer does his observation and scoring without being obtrusive.
Another Volhard’s puppy test rule is that you make sure puppies are fed before testing. You don’t want to mess with some hungry puppies.
Here’s another golden rule: ensure the puppies are tested while they are at their liveliest.
Do not try to test a sick puppy.
Also, do not test a puppy the day of or the day after vaccination.
Finally, only the first test response counts!

How to Use Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Score Sheet

The Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Score Sheet pdf is divided into 3 sections. First is the test column.

Next is the response column and the last is the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Score. So, this is how to use the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test score sheet: First, enter the test in the test column.

For instance, you can have Social Attraction, Following, Restraint, and rest. Then enter the response on the response column during the test.

Finally, the scorer enters the scores in the numbers column as the test progress. Click here to see a sample of Volhard Puppy Aptitude test score sheet.

How to Get Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Printable pdf?

The Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Printable pdf consists of a Volhard puppy aptitude test printable file.

If you want to get a sample of the Volhard puppy aptitude test printable pdf, click here to see a sample file from searchdogs.co.

Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Response Score Sample

Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Response Score Page 1

Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test Response Score Page 2

What do the Scores Mean?

The following is how the scores are interpreted:

Mostly 1’s

Strong drive to lead the group and not scared to fight for a promotion.
Has a tendency to be aggressive toward people and other dogs, and will bite.
Should only be placed in a very experienced family where the dog will be regularly taught and worked.

Mostly 2’s

Has aspirations for leadership as well.
It can be difficult to handle and can bite.
Has lots of self-confidence
Should not be placed in an inexperienced household.
Too energetic to be excellent with children, the elderly, or other animals.
A rigid schedule, a lot of exercises, and a lot of training are required.
Has the potential to be a fantastic show dog in the hands of someone who knows dog behavior.

Mostly 3’s

Can be a high-energy dog who needs a lot of activity.
Good with humans and other animals.
Can be a bit of a pain to live with.
Needs training, but performs very well and learns quickly.
A great dog for second-time owners.

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Mostly 4’s

The type of dog that will make an excellent pet.
The best option for a first-time buyer.
Hardly ever fight for a position in the family.
Very quiet and easy to train.
Good with the elderly and children, however, the children may need to be protected.

Mostly 5’s

Fearful, timid, and requires particular attention.
Will flee at the first sign of stress in its life.
Unfamiliar people, strange places, and varied floor or ground surfaces may be disruptive.
Ideal for a calm older couple.
When cornered and unable to flee, has a tendency to bite.
Usually fearful of loud noises and thunderstorms.
Needs a very unique home where the environment is stable and there are no children.

Mostly 6’s

A good security dog for gas stations!
He’s so self-sufficient that he doesn’t need you or anybody else.
He doesn’t care if he’s been trained or not; he’s his own person. He is unlikely to bond with you since he does not need you.

Dog Tip: Puppies with mostly 1’s and 2’s are difficult to manage because of their strong leadership aspiration, therefore, you should avoid them.

Also, puppies with mostly 3’s and 4’s are very difficult to control but should be good with children.

Finally, avoid puppies with several 6’s because of their independent nature.

Conclusion

The volhard puppy aptitude test covers social attraction, following, restraints, social dominance and many others.

Having a good puppy can be delightful but while testing a puppy be careful enough to observe the behavioral change, this will help make it much easier to train them.

Frequently Asked Questions on volhard puppy aptitude test

What is the Volhard aptitude test?

Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT) is a way to test the behavioral tendencies of puppies and predict what that puppy will be like as an adult.

This is also called the ‘Puppy Temperature Test’ or ‘Puppy Personality Test’. This was developed by dog experts Joachim and Wendy Volhard.

When is the Best Time to Do a Volhard Aptitude Test?

The Volhard puppy aptitude test should be done at the age of 49 days (7 weeks). So, testing before or after that age can affect the outcome of this test.

However, this effect can also depend on the time before or after the 49th day. To be on the good side, it’s better to opt for the 49th day.

How can I test my puppy’s personality?

You bring the puppy into the test area. Then keeps it four feet away from the tester and leave the test area.

After that, the tester encouragingly and gently coarse the puppy to come to him. He does this by clapping and calling the puppy.

Tips: You can kneel backward and ensure your hands are on your body. This means you don’t reach out to the dog.

What is a dog aptitude test?

Puppy aptitude testing assesses a puppy’s behavioral tendencies in areas such as social attraction (degree of social attraction to people, confidence or dependence), retrieving, sound, and sight sensitivity. The test parts are completed in sequence and in a specific order.

At what age can you tell a puppy’s personality?

6-8weeks
You can learn things about a puppy’s temperament as early as 4-5 weeks, although the older they get the more you can learn and the more reliable a temperament test. By 6-8 weeks, a breeder should be able to tell you many details about your pup’s personality.

How do you tell if a puppy is dominant or submissive?

Dogs with more dominance will approach standing tall and proud, ears perked. A submissive dog will slink down with his head low and ears back, attempting to appear smaller.

What is the Volhard aptitude test?

Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT) is a way to test the behavioral tendencies of puppies and predict what that puppy will be like as an adult.

This is also called the ‘Puppy Temperature Test’ or ‘Puppy Personality Test’. This was developed by dog experts Joachim and Wendy Volhard.

When should a Volhard test be done?

The Volhard puppy aptitude test should be done at the age of 49 days (7 weeks). So, testing before or after that age can affect the outcome of this test.

However, this effect can also depend on the time before or after the 49th day. To be on the good side, it’s better to opt for the 49th day.

How can I test my puppy's personality?

You bring the puppy into the test area. Then keeps it four feet away from the tester and leave the test area.

After that, the tester encouragingly and gently coarse the puppy to come to him. He does this by clapping and calling the puppy.

Tips: You can kneel backward and ensure your hands are on your body. This means you don’t reach out to the dog.

What is a dog aptitude test?

At what age can you tell a puppy's personality?

How do you tell if a puppy is dominant or submissive?

Dogs with more dominance will approach standing tall and proud, ears perked. A submissive dog will slink down with his head low and ears back, attempting to appear smaller.