Physical
Sensitivity
Test:
This test does not help you determine personality type. It is designed
to determine your puppy’s tolerance for pain and discomfort and
can help you avoid dog bites. For example a puppy with low pain tolerance
is not suited for families with small children who will tend to grab
the puppy’s tail or ears during normal puppy play. (Regardless
of how often you remind your children to “be kind to animals, they
have feelings too.”
Instructions: There
are three parts to this test. Conduct this test in a quiet area – just
you and your puppy, no one else. Use extreme caution if the dog is
ten months old or older because bites can be very serious. Control
your dog using a leash and collar. Use the fingers of the other hand
to pull on the dog.
Part One: Grab the tail and pull gently observing
the dog’s reactions.
Part Two: Using finger and thumb, press
lightly between the puppy’s toes expanding them outward. Gradually
increase the pressure for several seconds until the dog shows signs
of discomfort.
Part Three: Pull the dog’s skin near the rump,
gently at first and then increase the pressure.
Reactions
|
Personality
|
| (Tail) Looks at you, turns around and mouths your hand. Does not seem bothered. Is comfortable. Allows you to pull on his tail. Becomes playful. |
Safe
|
| (Toes) Tolerates strong pressure to ten seconds or more. Looks at you. Licks you. Tries to get away but shows no signs of aggression. Turns it into a game. |
Safe
|
| (Rump) Skin can be pulled from gently to firmly to hard. Dog looks at you as though this is a game. Turns around and tries to mouth your hand. Shows no signs of aggression. |
Safe
|
| (Tail) Feels comfortable with what you are doing but tries to stop you. Moves away from you or mouths your hand. Tolerates your hand for a short time. Starts to cry or whimper but shows no signs of aggression. |
Average
|
| (Toes) Allows you to grab toes and apply pressure for five to ten seconds. Squirms. Yelps a bit. Mouths your hands. Turns this into a game. Tries to get away. Tolerates the pain. |
Average
|
| (Rump) Allows you to pull the skin then turns around and tries to snap at your hand, but without real aggression. Whines and cries a bit, but shows no signs of growling or biting |
Average |
| (Tail) Low tolerance. Yelps. Howls, Screams. Growls. Curls lips. Snaps. Tries to get away. Not Recommended for small children. |
Poor |
| (Toes) Cries. Screams. Yells. Tries to bite your hand. Growls. Becomes frightened and tries to run away. Will no longer allow you to touch his paws. Turns it into a battle of wills. |
Poor |
| (Rump) Screams. Tries to bit your hand. Growls. Tries to run away. Cowers as if being hurt. Shows submissive posture or dominant aggression depending on personality. Not recommended for young children but still a lovable dog. |
Poor |
| If the dog bites and growls when tail is pulled; growls, screams and has no tolerance at all when spreading toes; growls and tries to bite you or bites without warning when pulling skin on his rump, please visit our comprehensive “aggressive” area of this training center for information you need immediately. This dog should not be around any children. | |
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