Bernard Flinks and his police dog Itor
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In the early 1980's I became interested in testing puppies to evaluate their potential to be working dogs. In 1985 I began filming some of these tests. I went on to produce a video titled Bite Training Puppies which included the results of this testing process. The first 45 minutes of that video shows how to do these tests.
Now many years later I have been sent a puppy evaluation from a friend in Germany (Bernard Flinks). I am pleased to say that the tests that are used by Bernard are identical to the testing shown in my tape. Bernard has made up a work sheet to score the puppies. I did not go into this much detail, but I have included this form.
The information supplied below explains how to score a puppy test. If you click here you can print out the form to record the test scores. This was supplied by Bernard Flinks.
Test 1. (Exploring the room)
- Immediately explores, relaxed body posture, behaves
confidently.
- Explores after short hesitation, but then confidently.
- Explores only after extended period, tense body posture,
careful.
- Almost does not explore, very careful.
- Does not explore at all, clear signs of fear.
Test 2. (Coming to a stranger)
- Comes immediately and confidently up to the person,
head and body posture confident.
- Comes immediately but somewhat guarded in the last
stretch, head and body posture slightly tense.
- Comes after a short time, somewhat guarded, head
and body posture clearly tense.
- Comes, but with clear signs of fear.
- Does not come, clearly afraid.
Test 3. (Retrieve test - rolling a ball)
- Immediately chases ball, takes ball in mouth and
carries it, good speed.
- Immediately chases ball, first smells and then takes
ball in mouth, speed OK.
- Hesitantly walks after ball, but takes ball in mouth,
carries.
- Hesitantly walks after ball, smells it, does not
pick up.
- Does not follow ball.
- Clearly is afraid.
Test 4. (Coming to two strangers)
- Comes immediately and confidently up to the persons,
head and body posture confident.
- Comes immediately but somewhat guarded in the last
stretch, head and body posture slightly tense.
- Comes after a short time, somewhat guarded, head
and body posture clearly tense.
- Comes, but with clear signs of fear.
- Does not come, clearly shows fear.
Test 5. (Paw pressure - 10 seconds)
- Allows it calmly and confidently (positive)
- Defends himself energetically and aggressively (positive)
- Pulls briefly, then allows it calmly and confidently.
- Shows unsureness and clear inhibition, tries to free
himself.
- Panicky behavior, clear fear.
Test 6. (Laying on his back)
- Lies confidently and relaxed, legs and paws are relaxed
(positive)
- Turns energetically and confidently, eventually becomes
aggressive (positive)
- Lies calmly, but tense, legs and paws are stiff.
- Shows clear signs of fear.
- Panicky behavior, urinates.
Test 7. (Noise)
- Not frightened and inspects the bucket.
- Briefly startled and inspects the bucket.
- Frightened and inspects the bucket only after quite
some time.
- Clearly frightened and avoids
the bucket.
- Clearly shows fear.
Test 8. (Cigarette pack - empty box)
- Chases fully committed, immediately takes in
mouth, fights.
- Chases, takes in mouth.
- Chases after short motivation, takes in mouth.
- Only chases after quite some time, takes in
mouth.
- Chases, does not take in mouth.
- Does not chase.
Test 9. Making attraction with the box, then pulling the box up (Nerves)
- Watches the box for a long time (more than
5 seconds) without letting himself be distracted.
- Watches the box briefly, then jumps and barks
at the box.
- Watches the box briefly, becomes distracted
and then watches the box again.
- Watches the box only briefly, then is no longer
interested
Click here to see Selection Testing Score Sheet
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