PAWS Working Dog Evaluation© To see if your dog has what it takes, here is Jona Deckers PAWS Working Dog Evaluation. The evaluation tests for Possessiveness, Attention, Willingness, and Strength. Unlike the Puppy Aptitude Test, developed to evaluate good pet temperaments, this test identifies and evaluates the components of good working dog temperaments. Trainers need to use the dogs possessiveness and drive to train. But without attention and willingness to work for the handler, the most driven, possessive dog is useless. The Puppy Aptitude Test is used as an initial indicator, and pups that perform adequately move to the PAWS evaluation. Depending on what activity the puppy is intended for, more weight may be placed on certain elements of the test. TEST 1 Prey Drive — Using age appropriate teaser, tester gets dogs attention & throws teaser short distance away. Note: roll teaser with younger puppies. Excellent: Puppy runs to teaser and immediately snatches up, perhaps shaking to kill it. Okay: Puppy runs to teaser and checks it out. May pick up toy if thrown repeatedly. Indifferent: Puppy doesnt run to teaser or shows no interest. TEST 2 Retrieve — After puppy gets teaser, tester encourages puppy to bring back by jogging backwards and calling. Excellent: Immediately brings back and spits out toy for more play. Okay: Brings back but doesnt give up toy. Okay: Brings back but darts out of reach, wanting you to chase. Indifferent: Doesnt bring back. TEST 3 Hunt Drive (Persistence) — Hide teaser under foot or in hands (just barely showing) & encourage pup to find. Excellent: Digs, mouths, and whines for toy. Okay: Nudges and uses paws for toy. Indifferent: Tries halfheartedly or not at all. TEST 4 Tug Response — Using towel, booda, or rag, tease puppy and allow to grab. Excellent: Immediately grabs and tugs vigorously. Okay: Grabs with repeated teasing and/or encouragement, lets go. Indifferent: Grabs only if repeatedly teased. Wont hold on. TEST 5 (P&S) Possessiveness — Tester lets go of tug while in puppys mouth. Excellent: Shakes toy to kill it, tries to engage tester to play again. Excellent: Shakes toy to kill it, runs away with toy. Okay: Runs away with toy, drops soon after. Indifferent: Drops immediately. TEST 6 (pups 3 mths & under) Follow — Tester calls puppy and jogs backwards while clapping softly. (pups over 3 months) Follow — Helper restrains dog while tester jogs backwards & calls dogs name 1 time. Excellent: Runs to tester, ramming shoulder into testers leg or jumping up. Excellent: Runs to tester and solicits affection. Okay: Jogs to tester, nudging or looking for attention. Indifferent: Jogs to tester and leaves, or doesnt come at all. TEST 7 Attention Span — Using age appropriate teaser, get dogs attention and bring teaser to testers face level. Use teaser sparingly to maintain eye/facial contact with puppy for 30 seconds. Excellent: Willingly looks at testers face and toy for duration. Cocks head to listen. Excellent: Watches tester for duration, looking away briefly if background distractions interfere. Okay: Watches tester but needs to be re-engaged a few times. Indifferent: Easily distracted or unwilling to look at testers face.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 13:29:55 +0000