Weekend after next, we are visiting the breeder to pick out our male puppy. The puppies will be 8 wks. old. I understand that puppy testing ought to be done away from brothers, sisters, parents and breeder. What are the one or two most predictive puppy temperment tests that people have found work best for them? We're not looking for a sharp/hard dog and are notlooking for a noodle/couch potatoe either. If the test you have to recommend requires a "teaser" would a tee shirt with a knot tied in the middle do the job?

have a look at the puppy test on this web site

and there's an excellent start

There are a couple test I like to do when selecting a 8-10wk old puppy. These test help determine what kind of temperment the puppy may/will have.

Test 1: Is a test for all of the puppies in the pack, I'll kneel down (about 3-5 yrds) from the puppies and not say a word, maybe russle some paper. I'm testing the puppies as a group here, this is a good sign if theres alot of the right stuff there. Usually four to six out of eight will wander over and check you out. Sometimes the whole lot will run over and check you out, and if one starts chewing the others will. Its kinda cute but they have needle sharp teeth and you can't snacht away because you can hurt them. You have to slowly one at a time detach them. These are not puppies you would want going by your message. You also wouldn't want a puppy that ignores you totally or acts like its in its own world, for obvious reasons. You probably do want a healthy and inquisitive pup.

Test 2: After picking three or four, one at a time. Take them to an separate area, maybe just outside the fence. Kneel down and call the puppy, snap your finger "calling in a high pitch voice here puppy", If he comes and let you pet him, this shows that he willing to work for praise and the owner. If he comes and wants to bite and tug, if you can distract him with petting and he stops bitting and enjoys the petting he may be the one.
But if he/she continues once again its cute but maybe not the pup for you.

Test 3: Pick the puppy up and turn it over on its back, place your hand over its chest. If it fights let it go, then pet it if it enjoys the petting then it doesn't hold grudges. Though it may have some dominnate behavior. He may be you guy or girl. If the puppy lets you hold it their for a count of 5, then puppy may easy submit to the onwers will. Release the puppy if it stays close and accept praise. It maybe a candidate for you. Now if you release him and he barks and snapping at ya, X him. He not what you want.

You probably don't want the dominate puppy of the pack, but maybe choose the most out going toward you. This is off the top of head.

With my female after all the puppies left she was the one still hanging close, she left and charged back to me. After passing all the other requirements, that I was looking for. She kinds choose me.

There's other detailed test, that some claim can 100% predict the adult dogs character and working ability.