Things You'll Need:
- noise maker
- new dog toy
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Step 1
Ask the breeder to allow you to watch the entire litter interact with each other. Ensure there is adequate space and toys for the puppies to romp around and play.
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Step 2
Take several minutes to observe how the puppies interact with each other. How did they act when the first entered the room? When you entered the room? What do they do to each other? Are some more out going or shy? Are some puppies larger or smaller?
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Step 3
Make a loud noise with the noise maker. It could be a clap, yell, stomp or honk. It should not be a familiar type sound, such as a squeak.
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Step 4
Observe the puppies. Which ones shy away? Get interested and inspect the source? Bark and attack?
Behavior to look for-
Dominant Puppy: Bark and attack, very interested
Submissive Puppy: Stop, may cower and hide, run away
Middle of the Road: Stop, inspect go on with normal behavior -
Step 5
Pick up a puppy and roll the puppy on its back. How does it react?
Behavior to look for-
Dominant Puppy: fight the roll, bite at your hands, scratch, scream will eventually go limp and submit.
Submissive Puppy: go limp, make no eye contact
Middle of the Road: fight for a few seconds, relax and go limp in your arms -
Step 6
Select the few puppies you are interested in and bring to a different area. Preferably and area unfamiliar to the puppy. See how they react. The same? Look for subtle differences.
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Step 7
Bring out the new toy and toss it to the puppies. Do they react as you expect?
Behavior to look for-
Dominant Puppy: first to run over and inspect, may play with toy right away
Submissive Puppy: hide from toy, may smell it but not touch it
Middle of the Road: Stop, inspect, play with toy -
Step 8
Does one of the puppies that you selected for the second viewing meet your temperament criteria and pull at your heart strings? That's the one for you.
