Check Out These 9 Quick Tests To Help You Pick Out A Puppy
If I have five puppies in front of me and have no color or gender preference then it’s gonna be a tough job selecting the ideal puppy.
There are those tough situations where all puppies are of the same gender and the same color (Likely in the case of Labrador, Malinois, Rottweiler, Weimaraner, etc.) making it even more difficult to choose the ideal one.
Most would prefer an even temperament and a measure of intelligence over specific physical breed standards. I would also avoid shy and insecure puppies looking for one, instead, that is independent not so dominant.
For those of us who are crazy for dogs, I have compiled a formula to help in choosing puppies. These tests are inspired by the advice I have got over the years, and spending a lot of time as a trainer.
Assumption: It is assumed that all puppies are healthy and the litter does not have any weak or undernourished puppies.
- Insecurity Test– When you visit the puppies check which puppy is more independent and which puppy is insecure without its mother. Mostly the insecure puppy will be searching for its mother.
- Stranger Test– You are definitely a stranger to the puppies and see which puppy is more investigative of you. The curious puppy which comes to you first is really a smart one.
- Investigation Test– Introduce the puppies to a new toy or anything and check which puppy comes first to investigate the item.
- Balloon Pop Recovery Test– Pop a balloon near the puppies and find the puppy which first recovers from the shock of the pop sound and check whether it comes to investigate the place where the balloon was popped.
- Holding like a baby Test– Pick the puppy in such a way that its back is resting on your hands and it is facing you. Check if the puppy’s limbs are relaxed or stiff. If relaxed then that’s a really good puppy without insecurity.
- Feed Intake Test – When visiting the puppies watch their intake of food and see which puppy comes first for food or which puppy dominates the intake. If you want a massive dog of the breed, get the fat and round puppy that is more into food.
- Bite Drive Test– Introduce a cloth to the puppies and see which puppy clinches more to cloth and keeps on biting it. Definitely avoid the puppy which has a prominent bite drive.
- Roll Over Test – While the puppies are on the ground try rolling one over give it a belly rub to see which puppy is more tolerant to you as the tolerant puppy is less dominant.
- Parent Stock Check– It is advisable to see both the dam and sire before choosing the puppy. Also, see how intelligent and even-tempered both are.
Sometimes, of course, there can be those exceptional situations where a puppy will choose you rather than you choosing the puppy.
For example, the last time when I went to get a puppy from a litter of five, I was fascinated by a really smart one who was so interested in me he was playfully following me around. It seems that this particular puppy was helping me by being on the judging team. Finally, I felt the puppy was saying “Hey you fool no need of any tests, I am the best puppy.” So, 13 years later, he’s lying at my feet.
The ones that pick you are the best!
You are so right!