Using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test: A Comprehensive Guide

The Ultimate Overview of the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test


The Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test helps you understand a puppy’s temperament and predict future behavior. Conducted at 49 days old, it includes ten simple evaluations. This guide will explain the test and how it assists in choosing the right puppy.

Key Highlights


  • The Volhard Test assesses a puppy’s temperament at 49 days old through ten specific evaluations, helping breeders and owners as one understands dog behavior as a predictor
  • Timing is crucial for the test, as conducting it at 7 ½ weeks allows for accurate evaluation of behavioral tendencies that influence compatibility with future homes
  • While the test provides valuable insights, it only indicates tendencies rather than certainties; positive interaction during testing and understanding its limitations are essential for effective outcomes

Using the Aptitude Test: A Comprehensive Guide


The Test, a cornerstone in puppy testing, was designed to identify a puppy’s temperament and predict future behavior by evaluating them at precisely 49 days of age. This process is often referred to as the puppy test. The assessments made at this age can predict various behavioral traits of adult dogs, highlighting the importance of this testing to ensure a good match between puppies and families.


This timing is critical because it aligns with a pivotal stage in neurological development, ensuring the most accurate results.


The test comprises ten specific evaluations, each targeting different aspects of a puppy’s behavior, including:


  • Social attraction
  • Sound sensitivity
  • Dominance
  • Elevation
  • Retrieving
  • Touch sensitivity
  • Sight sensitivity
  • Stability
  • Aggression
  • Overall temperament


One of the evaluations, the puppy stand, encourages the puppy to stand, interact with other animals, and demonstrate social behaviors, highlighting how the puppy responds to different stimuli and situations.


Breeders and prospective owners often rely on this test to gather insights into a puppy’s behavioral tendencies, helping them make informed decisions about compatibility. Observing the puppies’ eagerness to follow commands and their reaction to various stimuli provides a comprehensive picture of their temperament.


However, while the test offers valuable predictions, it primarily assesses tendencies rather than certainties. Maintaining a positive and friendly attitude during the test can significantly enhance the puppy’s performance, ensuring a more accurate assessment.


Timing is everything, especially when it comes to assessing a puppy’s temperament. The optimal window for conducting the Aptitude Test evaluation puppies is around 7 ½ weeks of age. At this stage, puppies are neurologically mature enough to exhibit their future behavior patterns but still young enough to adapt to new experiences and environments. This period allows for an accurate evaluation of their innate traits and temperament.


Administering the test at this precise age helps identify key behavioral tendencies that may not be as apparent if the test is conducted too early or too late. Capturing these early indicators allows breeders and prospective owners to understand and predict the puppy’s future behavior. This foresight helps in making informed decisions and ensuring a harmonious match between the puppy and its future home whether it is a very experienced home or otherwise.

Understanding the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test


The Aptitude Test aims to ensure that the right puppy finds the right home. Conducting the test at 49 days aligns with a critical phase in a puppy’s neurological development, making it the ideal time to predict future behavior accurately. This test is meticulously structured, comprising ten evaluations designed to assess various aspects of a puppy’s temperament.


Each evaluation within the test offers a unique insight into the puppy’s behavior patterns and temperament. For a dog tips for instance, the social attraction test measures how readily a puppy responds to human interaction, highlighting the importance of selecting a confident dog for easier training and integration into family life or work as sporting breeds, while the sound sensitivity test assesses their reaction to auditory stimuli.


The Test aims to ensure that the right puppy finds the right home. Conducting the test at 49 days aligns with a critical phase in a puppy’s neurological development, making it the ideal time to predict future behavior accurately. This test is meticulously structured, comprising ten evaluations designed to assess various aspects of a puppy’s temperament.


Understanding these traits is crucial for making informed decisions about puppy placement. Evaluating a puppy’s responses helps breeders match puppies to homes that align with their temperament, ensuring a better fit and a more harmonious relationship with their new family. This process benefits both the new owners and the puppy’s well-being by placing them in environments where they can thrive.

Key Components of the Test


The Volhard Test consists of ten specific evaluations, each designed to assess different aspects of a puppy’s temperament. These evaluations provide a comprehensive picture of the puppy’s behavior and potential future temperament, helping breeders and owners make informed decisions.


Social attraction measures a puppy’s eagerness to interact with people, reflecting their friendliness, self confidence, and approachability. Following evaluates how well a puppy tracks and follows a person, indicating their level of curiosity and engagement. Restraint assesses a puppy’s reaction when held back, providing insight into their self-control and adaptability.


Social dominance tests a puppy’s behavior in relation to people and other dogs, revealing their confidence and assertiveness. Elevation social dominance also evaluates a puppy’s response when placed in an elevated position, indicating their comfort and assertiveness in new situations.


The retrieving test gauges a puppy’s instinct to fetch items, reflecting their drive and playfulness. Touch sensitivity determines how a puppy reacts to being touched, highlighting their sensitivity to physical interactions. Sound sensitivity assesses a puppy’s reaction to loud noises, providing insights into their fearfulness or confidence.


Sight sensitivity evaluates a puppy’s reaction to visual stimuli, indicating their alertness and curiosity. Stability measures how well a puppy copes with stressors and new experiences, reflecting their overall temperament and resilience. Each of these components plays a vital role in painting a complete picture of the puppy’s temperament and potential future behavior as an adult dog.

Preparing for the Test


Preparation is key to ensuring accurate and reliable results from the Puppy Aptitude Test. The testing area should be free from distractions and other dogs or people to facilitate focus and minimize interference during the assessment. This controlled environment helps maintain the integrity of the test and ensures that all the puppies’ responses are genuine and not influenced by external factors.


Ensure that the puppy is well-rested and in good health before the test. Puppies should not be tested immediately after vaccinations as this can impact their behavior and skew the results. Familiar toys can also be used during the test to help reduce anxiety and make the puppy feel more comfortable. Having the right training equipment on hand and any additional training equipment required, is crucial to conducting the test smoothly and effectively.


Creating an optimal testing environment and ensuring the puppy test itself is in the best possible condition helps achieve more accurate and meaningful results from the Test. This preparation sets the stage for a successful evaluation and helps ensure that the insights gained from the test are truly reflective of the puppy’s temperament and if they are a high energy dog.

Conducting the Test


Conducting the Volhard Aptitude Test requires a systematic approach to ensure consistency and accuracy. Before starting, make sure the puppy has not been fed, as a hungry puppy is more alert and responsive. Each puppy is evaluated individually to prevent distractions from littermates, allowing for a focused assessment. It is also important that the tester is not the person that raises all the pups so that each testing maintain their ability to obtain unique reactions.


Begin with the Social Attraction test, where the puppy pulls from four feet away to promote confidence. In the Following test, ensure the puppy sees the tester walk away from puppy encouraging them for following. For the Restraint test, gently roll the puppy onto its back for 30 seconds without applying too much pressure or puppy avoid leaning. The Social Dominance test involves the tester stroking the puppy while crouched beside it, assessing the shy puppy it's acceptance of human eye contact. Elevation Dominance is tested by lifting the puppy gently for 30 seconds to observe their response.


The Retrieving test involves throwing a small object for the puppy to bring back, gauging their willingness to engage in the chase object. In the Touch Sensitivity test, the tester gradually increases pressure on testing area of the puppy’s paw until discomfort is shown. For Sound Sensitivity, a sharp noise is made to observe the puppy’s reaction. The Sight Sensitivity test uses a moving object to assess the puppy’s response to visual stimuli. Finally, the Stability test involves observing the puppy’s reaction to a strange object, such as an opened umbrella.


Throughout the tests determined, maintaining eye contact and a cheerful demeanor is crucial to creating a positive experience for the testing puppies. Observing the puppy’s tail position during the tests is also important, as it affects scoring and provides additional insight into their temperament. Having a disinterested third party score the tests ensures objectivity and reliability in the results.

Scoring and Interpreting Results: Identifying Dominant or Submissive Tendency


Scoring the Aptitude Test involves evaluating each of the ten tests independently, using a scale from 1 to 6. These scores offer insights to help predict future behavioral traits such as social attraction, energy level, and sensitivity to touch and sound. A puppy that mostly receives scores of 4’s and 3’s is typically considered easy to train. It is also likely to perform well in its new home.


It’s important to interpret these scores within the context of the puppy’s overall behavior. A score of 1 on the Restraint and Elevation tests may indicate a puppy that is excessively dominant and could be unsuitable for first-time dog owners. Conversely, scores in the middle range tend to indicate a well-balanced temperament, suitable for a variety of homes and lifestyles.


By understanding the significance of each score, breeders and prospective owners can gain a clearer picture of the puppy’s temperament and potential future behavior. This interpretation helps in making informed decisions about placement, ensuring that the right puppy to its own person and the right home on their own merits amongst each of their litter mates.

Tips for First-Time Owners


Owning a puppy is a long-term commitment, with dogs bred living anywhere from 8 to 16 years. It’s crucial to establish a daily routine for feeding, potty breaks, and playtime to help your puppy feel secure and adapt more easily to their new environment. Regular exercise is essential to manage their high energy levels and contribute to their physical health and mental stimulation.


Feeding your puppy high-quality, age-appropriate food supports their growth and development. Following a proper feeding schedule ensures they receive the necessary nutrients at the right times. Positive reinforcement during training, such as using treats and praise, encourages good behavior and strengthens the bond between you and your puppy as they grow into an adult dog.


Gradually acclimate your puppy to alone time and provide engaging toys to ease their stress and address separation anxiety. With these top dog tips, first-time owners can create a nurturing environment that helps their new puppy thrive.

Choosing Between Breeders and Shelters


Deciding whether to acquire a puppy from a breeder or a shelter involves weighing various factors. Breeders can provide specific breed traits and predictable behaviors, offering insight into the puppy’s health and temperament. Visiting a puppy shows a breeder’s facility allows potential owners to assess the environment and care practices.


On the other hand, adopting from a shelter offers a chance to save a life and often comes with lower costs. Shelters typically have a broader variety quite a handful of age groups and breeds available for adoption, and adopting helps combat the issues of puppy mills and overcrowding in animal shelters.


Understanding the breed characteristics of a dog can help identify its suitability for specific roles in a household. Socialization is key for a puppy’s development, and exposing them to different people, what other animals are, and environments in a positive way can prevent future behavioral problems. A great guard dog can also play a significant role in household security, just as a service dog can assist individuals with specific needs.


Whether you choose a breeder or a shelter, the goal is to find a puppy that fits well with your lifestyle and family dynamics.

Common Misconceptions About Puppy Testing


There are several common misconceptions about puppy temperament testing that need to be addressed. One myth is that all tested puppies in a litter will have the same temperament. In reality, individual traits can vary significantly among siblings, and the Volhard test helps identify these unique personality traits.


Another misconception is that the Volhard test can predict a puppy’s future behavior with complete accuracy. Although the test offers valuable insights, it’s not the sole determinant of a puppy’s future behavior. Socialization and life experiences also play a significant role in shaping a dog’s temperament.


By understanding these misconceptions, prospective owners can approach the Volhard Test with realistic expectations. It is a tool that provides important information, but it should be used in conjunction with other factors to make the best decision for both the puppy and the person interested in being its future home.

Key Takeaways


The Volhard Aptitude Test is an invaluable tool for understanding a puppy’s temperament and making informed decisions about placement. By assessing various aspects of a puppy’s behavior, the test helps match the right puppy to the right home, ensuring a harmonious and successful relationship.


Choosing a puppy is a significant commitment, and the insights gained from the Volhard test can guide breeders and owners in making the best choice. By considering the puppy’s temperament, energy levels, and suitability for different environments, you can ensure a lifetime of joy and companionship with the perfect pet. Remember, the goal is to find a puppy that fits well with your lifestyle and family dynamics, creating a positive experience for both the puppy and its new family.

Frequently Asked Questions


What is the Volhard method for dogs?

The Volhard method for dogs is a comprehensive puppy aptitude test assessing temperament through ten evaluations, including social attraction and sound sensitivity. The test helps predict future behavior, aiding in matching puppies with suitable homes.

At what age do you do the Volhard test?

The Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test is ideally conducted at 49 days old, or approximately 7 ½ weeks. This timing is crucial for evaluating a puppy's temperament accurately, as it aligns with a key phase in their neurological development, providing insights into future behavior.

How accurate is the Volhard test?

The Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test offers valuable insights into a puppy's temperament, but it's not 100% accurate. While it highlights tendencies like social attraction and dominant or submissive behavior, factors like socialization, a proper diet, and environment also shape a dog's future.

How is the Volhard puppy aptitude test scored?

The Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test scores puppies on a scale of 1 to 6 across ten evaluations, reflecting traits like social attraction and energy levels. Scores help identify dominant or submissive tendencies, evaluating puppies, and aiding in matching puppies with suitable homes.

What happens during a temperament test?

During a temperament test, puppies undergo various evaluations to assess traits like social attraction, sound sensitivity, and dominance. These tests help predict future behavior and identify whether a puppy has a dominant or submissive tendency.

What is the startle test for puppies?

The startle test for puppies measures their reaction to unexpected loud noises, like a metal pan dropping. It assesses sound sensitivity and helps determine if a puppy has a confident or shy temperament. Observing their recovery time offers insights into their adaptability.

Can you tell a dog's temperament as a puppy?

Puppy temperament can be assessed using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test at 49 days old. While it provides insights into traits like social attraction and sensitivity, it predicts tendencies rather than certainties. Socialization and life experiences shape a dog's temperament.