Puppy Temperament Testing (Volhard Method)

The Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT) is one of the most widely used methods for evaluating puppy temperament before placement. Developed by Wendy and Jack Volhard, the test consists of 10 standardized exercises that measure a puppy's social attraction, willingness to follow, response to restraint and dominance, retrieving instinct, and sensory sensitivities.

The goal isn't to label puppies as "good" or "bad" — it's to understand each puppy's natural tendencies so you can match them with the home where they'll do best.

When and who

The test should be performed at exactly 49 days (7 weeks) of age. This timing is carefully chosen — puppies are neurologically mature enough to show meaningful behavioral responses but haven't yet been significantly shaped by individual experiences.

The tester should be someone unfamiliar to the puppies. Puppies respond differently to people they know versus strangers, and using an unfamiliar tester gives a more accurate baseline. The tester should be calm, confident with dogs, and follow the protocol consistently for every puppy in the litter.

Test each puppy individually in an unfamiliar area — a room or enclosed space the puppy hasn't been in before. No other dogs or puppies should be present.

The 10 tests

1. Social attraction

Place the puppy in the test area. The tester kneels a few feet away and gently coaxes the puppy to come, using encouraging sounds but no commands. This measures the puppy's willingness to approach an unfamiliar person and its degree of social confidence.

2. Following

The tester stands and walks away from the puppy at a normal pace. This measures the puppy's willingness to follow a human — an indicator of social attachment and pack drive.

3. Restraint

The tester gently rolls the puppy onto its back and holds it there with light pressure on the chest for 30 seconds. This measures the puppy's response to physical dominance and inability to control its own position — how it handles not being in charge.

4. Social dominance

The tester crouches beside the puppy and gently strokes it from head to back, repeatedly. This measures the puppy's acceptance of social handling and its response to a person in a position of authority.

5. Elevation dominance

The tester lifts the puppy off the ground with both hands under the belly and holds it elevated for 30 seconds. This measures the puppy's response to being in a position of complete vulnerability — no control over its situation.

6. Retrieving

The tester crumples a small paper ball and tosses it 2-4 feet in front of the puppy. This measures willingness to work with a human and prey/play drive — useful for predicting trainability.

7. Touch sensitivity

The tester takes the webbing between the puppy's toes and presses with gradually increasing firmness, counting to 10. This measures pain threshold — relevant for training method compatibility.

8. Sound sensitivity

An assistant makes a sharp, sudden noise (like striking a metal pan) while the puppy is facing away. This measures the puppy's response to startling auditory stimuli — important for assessing environmental confidence.

9. Sight sensitivity

The tester ties a string to a large towel and drags it across the ground a few feet from the puppy. This measures the puppy's response to an unfamiliar moving visual stimulus — curiosity versus fear.

10. Stability

An umbrella is opened suddenly about 4-5 feet from the puppy. This measures the puppy's startle recovery — not whether it startles (most will), but how quickly it recovers and investigates.

Scoring system

Each test is scored on a 1-6 scale. Lower numbers indicate more dominant/assertive responses; higher numbers indicate more submissive/sensitive responses.

Interpreting mixed results

Most puppies won't score the same number on every test — and that's perfectly normal. A puppy might score 2 on social attraction (confident approach), 4 on restraint (accepting), and 3 on sound sensitivity (mild startle, quick recovery). This paints a picture of a confident but cooperative puppy.

Look at patterns rather than individual scores:

• Social tests (1-5) — These reveal how the puppy relates to people. Consistent scores here are most predictive of life as a companion
• Sensitivity tests (7-10) — These reveal how the puppy processes its environment. High sensitivity (5-6) suggests a puppy that needs careful socialization; low sensitivity (1-2) suggests a puppy that may be harder to motivate in training
• Retrieve test (6) — Often the best single predictor of trainability and willingness to work with people

Using results for puppy placement

The real value of temperament testing is in matching puppies to homes. A dominant, high-energy puppy placed with a timid first-time owner is a recipe for frustration — for both the owner and the dog. A sensitive, submissive puppy placed in a loud, chaotic household may develop anxiety.

When you have test results for each puppy, you can have more productive conversations with buyers:

• Active families with dog experience — Match with puppies scoring mostly 2s and 3s. These dogs thrive with structure, activity, and confident handling
• Families with young children — Match with puppies scoring mostly 3s and 4s. Cooperative, adaptable, tolerant of unpredictable handling
• Quiet homes, seniors, therapy dog prospects — Match with puppies scoring mostly 4s and 5s. Gentle, people-oriented, low conflict
• Performance/sport homes — Look for puppies with strong retrieve scores (1-2 on test 6) combined with moderate social scores (2-3). High drive with handler focus

Most experienced breeders find that matching puppies by temperament — rather than letting buyers choose by color or appearance — produces happier placements and fewer returned dogs. Buyers may initially be disappointed they didn't get the "color they wanted," but they're far more likely to bond with a dog whose personality fits their lifestyle.

Temperament testing works best when paired with a structured socialization protocol — together, they give you a complete picture of each puppy's behavioral development before placement.

Temperament testing FAQs