Have you heard of puppy temperament tests? They’re designed to find out more about puppies before potential pup parents bring them home.
Temperament tests are normally conducted in a breeder’s home, a shelter or another controlled environment when a pup is about 7 weeks old. A dog trainer, behaviorist or veterinarian places the puppy in various controlled scenarios designed to measure its responses to handling, interaction with different people and exposure to novel objects and situations. In the end, pet parents—or those hoping to be—can get a good idea of the puppy’s personality and possible behavioral issues.
Temperament tests aren’t foolproof—after all, puppies continue to develop well after this young age. The idea is to help match a puppy to a home where it can grow and thrive.