Bernard Flinks and his police dog Itor

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.

Bite Training Puppies $65.00+s&h

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