TT - Temperament Test
organized by the
American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS)
P.O. Box 397, Fenton, Missouri 63026
(626) 225-5346

Want to see how our breed is doing?

The TT consists of 10 "stations". The dog is judged on its reaction at each station (or lack of reaction), and if it startles, how long it takes the dog to recover, and after it recovers, is it willing to investigate the thing that startled it. At no time during the test is the handler allowed to say the dogs name or talk to the dog. They are allowed to encourage the dog to investigate the umbrella and noise maker but can not speak directly to the dog when doing this. Instead, they must say things like, "what a nice umbrella, pretty bucket of rocks". The dog is on a 6 foot leash, with the handler holding the end only (except for the footing tests, the handler can shorten the leash to help guide the dog over the footing). If a dog fails one test (or sub-test) then it fails the entire TT. Please check out their site for a discription of all Ten Stationsand more information. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Puppy Test

SOCIAL ATTRACTION

PURPOSE: Degree of social attraction, confidence or dependence.

TEST: Place puppy in test area. From a few feet away the tester
coaxes the pup to them by clapping hands gently and
sitting on ground

  • 1 Came readily, tail up, jumped, bit at hands
  • 2 Came readily, tail up, pawed, licked at hands.
  • 3 Came readily, tail up.(challenge tail)
  • 4 Came readily, tail down.
  • 5 Came hesitantly, tail tucked.
  • 6 Didn't come at all.

    • FOLLOWING

    PURPOSE: Degree of following attraction. Not following indicates independence.

    TEST: Stand up and walk away from the pup in a normal manner.
    making sure the pup sees you walk away.

  • 1 Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot, played with at feet.
  • 2 Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot but not interested in playing with feet.
  • 3 Followed readily, tail down.
  • 4 Followed hesitantly, tail down, may be crouching
  • 5 No follow or went away or stayed in same place watching

    • RESTRAINT

    PURPOSE: How it accepts stress when socially/physically dominated.
    Degree of dominant or submissive tendency.

    TEST: Crouch down and gently roll the pup on his back and
    hold it with one hand for aproximately 30 seconds.

  • 1 Struggled fiercely, squerming, tried to bite.
  • 2 Struggled fiercely.
  • 3 Struggled, settled with some eye contact.
  • 4 No struggle.
  • 5 No struggle, straining to avoid eye contact.

    • SOCIAL DOMINANCE

    PURPOSE: Degree of acceptance of social dominance.

    TEST: Let pup stand up and gently pet him as you are sitting
    Continue petting until a recognizable behavior is established.

  • 1 Jumped, pawed, tried to bite, growled.
  • 2 Jumped, pawed.
  • 3 Cuddles up to tester and tries to lick face.
  • 4 Squirmed, licked at hands.
  • 5 Went away and stayed away.

    • ELEVATION DOMINANCE

    PURPOSE: Degree of accepting dominance while in position of no control

    TEST: Bend over and cradle the pup under its belly, fingers interlaced, palms up and elevate it just off the ground.
    Keep it there for approx. 30 seconds.

  • 1 Struggled fiercely, tried to bite, growled.
  • 2 Struggled fiercely.
  • 3 Struggled, settled, licked.
  • 4 No struggle, relaxed, licked at hands.
  • 5 No struggle, froze.

    • OBEDIENCE APTITUDE

    RETRIEVING

    PURPOSE Degree of willingness to work with a human.

    TEST Crouch beside pup and attract his attention with crumpled up ball or other toy.
    When the pup shows interest and is watching, toss the object a few feet in front of you.

  • 1 Chases object, picks up object and runs away.
  • 2 Chases object, stands over object, does not return.
  • 3 Chases object and returns with object to you.
  • 5 Starts to chase object, loses interest.
  • 6 Does not chase object. No interest.

    • TOUCH SENSITIVITY

    PURPOSE Degree of sensitivity to touch.

    TEST Take one of puppy's front feet and press between finger and
    thumb lightly then more firmly till you get a response,
    Stop as soon as puppy pulls away, or shows discomfort.

  • 1 Puppy pulls away immediately.
  • 2 puppy squirms and pulls away.
  • 3 Puppy squirms feels discofort but stays.
  • 4 Puppy just stays doesn't try to move.

    • SOUND SENSITIVITY

    PURPOSE Degree of sensitivity to sound, can also help determine if pup is deaf.

    TEST Place pup in the center of area, take a can with marbles or rocks and shake it

  • 1 Listens, locates sound, walks toward it barking.
  • 2 Listens, locates sound, barks.
  • 3 Listens, locates sound, shows curosity and walks towards sound (not barking).
  • 4 Listens, locates sound, not interested.
  • 5 Cringes, backs off, runs away andhides.

    • Want to take a simular Puppy test?
    Check out this site the test is a little more extensive than this one

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