Predicting Temperament (Part 2)
A good rule of thumb for predicting temperament is to take a look at the mother, and if possible, the father of a litter. Having ruled out that part, you can draw on the research which has been done by the experts.
Just recently there was an article which described methods of selecting puppies for guide dogs for the blind. The tests used proved to be almost 95% accurate! And you don't have to be one of the experts to try the simple tests.
How You Can clearly Select A Puppy With The greatest Temperament Of The Litter
While observing a puppy away from its mother and littermates, testers look for the following:
1. The puppy must move at ease in its pen.
2. He must move without restraint and look calmly from its pen at the tester, and any other situations.
3. It should remain friendly and respond to the tester's encouragement.
4. It should not be anxious by strange people, places, or things.
5. The pup should persevere in all situations it undertakes.
6. The Puppy must also be willing to do what the tester wants, and demonstrate pleasure while doing it.
Bad qualities are revealed in the opposites of the above list: The puppy is anxious in new situations, refuses to move from wherever it is placed. It is indifferent to new situations and people and unfriendly with the tester. Its responses are not dependable; it acts one way one instance and another way another instance, in the same circumstances. It quits trying after one or two attempts at something. And if it is upset by strangers, the puppy is obstinate or refuses to do with the tester wants.
Keeping A Good Temperament Throughout Your Dog's Life
Research is placing more and more importance on the first weeks and months of a dog's life. Trainers are starting to work with dogs at earlier ages than they did formally. Research also suggests that a dog's temperament is not just a problem of “good” or “bad”, it most likely varies along a continuum, as do humans, and as a result of many variables. A dog with one or two overanxious traits may be unsatisfactory.
Once you have picked a dog with a great temperament, make sure you don't ruin him by bad handling. It helps if you can provide him some obedience training. There is literature to help you with this responsibility, online dog training DVDs you can purchase, as well as local obedience classes that give one-on-one instruction. Even if your dog never achieves any degree as a companion dog, the experience will help you in your handling of him and especially in disciplining him.
Final Tip: Unless you happen to be an expert on training, don't try to turn your family pet into an attack dog. You don't need an aggressive dog to scare off burglars. Most tend to pass up homes with any sort of dog on the property. Most dogs, even the kindest, are protective when the need arises. And do not let your kids promote aggressiveness with too much rough house play. Sometimes it gets out of control and a dog will bite out of innocent excitement. | 
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