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Temperament Testing Every Gunfield Puppy is temperament tested between 6 and 7 weeks of age to do the test the puppy is taken away from his/her litter mates and tested alone.  Working with the results of the test and day to day experiances of the puppy , we match each puppy to a suitable owner. A copy of the temperament test result is included in the Gunfield New owners information booklet is is show below-   Temperament testing for puppy microchip number   000000000000000 .......................................................................................................................................................       Test Result Puppy placed a few feet away the tester , tester coaxes the pup to her/him by clapping hands gently and kneeling down. 1. Came readily, tail up, jumped, bit at hands 2. Came readily, tail up, pawed, liked at hands. 3. Came readily, tail up. 4. Came readily, tail down. 5. Came hesitantly, tail down. 6. Did not come at all. Tester stands up and walks away from the pup in a normal manner. Make sure the pup sees you walk away. 1. Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot, bit at feet. 2. Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot. 3. Followed readily, tail up. 4. Followed readily, tail down. 5. Followed hesitantly, tail down. 6. No following, or went away. Pup rolled on his back and hold it with one hand for a full 30 seconds 1. Struggled fiercely, flailed, bit. 2. Struggled fiercely, flailed. 3. Settled, struggled, settled with some eye contact. 4. Struggled, then settled. 5. No struggle. 6. No struggle, straining to avoid eye contact. Pup stands up and tester gently stroke him from the head to back while crouching beside him. until a recognisable behaviour is established. 1. Jumped, pawed, bit growled. 2. Jumped, pawed. 3. Cuddles up to tester and tries to lick face. 4. Squirmed, licked at hands. 5. Rolled over, licked at hands. 6. Went away and stayed away.     Result .......................................................................................................................................         What does the result mean?. Your puppy has been given a score based on the average mark so if you puppy scored two 3`s and three 4`s  then the puppy would be scored at 4 There is no good or bad mark they just reflect subtle differences in nature, correct breeding and socialisation ensure we do not breed dogs with excessive characters , our aim when breeding a litter is to breed a balanced litter who all have the superb temperament which is desirable for this breed.  Score of mostly 1`s = This pup is extremely dominant only suitable for very experienced owner Score of mostly 2`s = outgoing temperament: may be too active for elderly, and too dominant for small children Score of mostly 3`s = accepts leadership and should adapt to most households. Score of mostly 4`s = submissive and will adapt to most households Score mostly 5`s = very submissive suited to a quieter household Score mostly 6`s = very independent needs a quite home with a strong leader.  Most of your puppies future character is dictated by environmental stimulation and how well you socialise, train and interact with your dog., Socialisation is what lays the foundation for future training a un socialised puppy can be timid or express in appropriate behaviour. The damage done by poor socialisation is very hard to correct. Gunfield puppies are handled daily from birth although reared in outdoor kennelling they each spend time in the family home and experience the normal day to day goings on of a home. When you collect your puppy at 7-8 weeks of age they are like little sponges they know very little fear and soak up any lessons you wish them to learn. Unfortunately they will also easily learn undesirable things as well!. You should begin the indoor socialisation activities immediately when your puppy gets home. The socialisation activities that require leaving the confines of the home and garden should begin following the completion of a full course of vaccinations. New experiences should be controlled and positive if a puppy seems afraid or intimidated do not comfort him you are reinforcing his fear just calmly leave the situation and try again another day. Always finish a training or socialisation session on a good note. One of the key factors of training and socialisation is a puppy needs to know his place in the pecking order, dogs are a pack animal and in the wild would strive to gain a higher position in the pack.