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Albuquerque - Official City Website

Animal Services

Pet adoption test

Test Measure
Social attraction Place the pup in the test area. From a few feet away the Tester coaxes the pup by clapping hands gently and kneeling down. Tester must coax in a direction away from the point where the pup entered the testing area

This test measures the degree of social attraction, confidence or dependence

How did your pup do?
Came readily, tail-up, jumped, bit at hands
Came readily, tail-up, pawed, licked at hands
Came readily, tail-up
Came readily, tail-down
Came hesitantly, tail-down
Did not come at all
Following Stand up and walk away from the pup in a normal manner. Make sure the pup sees you walk away.

This test measures the degree of following attraction. Not following indicates independence

How did your pup do?
Followed readily, tail-up, got underfoot, bit at feet
Followed readily, tail-up, got under foot
Followed readily, tail-up
Followed readily, tail-down
Followed hesitantly, tail-down
No follow or went away
Response to restraint Crouch down gently and roll the pup on its back and hold it with one hand for a full 30 seconds

This test measures the degree of dominant or submissive tendency. How it accepts stress when socially/physically dominated

How did your pup do?
Struggled fiercely, flailed, bit
Struggled fiercely, flailed
Settled, struggled, settled with some eye contact
Struggled then settled
No struggle
No struggle, straining to avoid eye contact
Social Dominance Let the pup stand up and gently stroke it from the head to the back while you crouch beside it. Continue stroking until a recognizable behavior is established

This test measures the degree of acceptance of social dominance. The pup may try to dominate by jumping and nipping or is independent and walks away

How did your pup do?
Jumped, pawed, bit, growled
Jumped, pawed
Cuddles up to tester, tries to lick face
Squirmed, licked at hands
Rolled over, licked at hands
Went away and stayed away
Elevation dominance Bend over and cradle the pup under its belly, fingers interlaced, palms up and elevate it just off the ground. Hold it there for 30 seconds

This test measures the degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control

How did your pup do?
Struggled fiercely, flailed, bit
Struggled fiercely, flailed
No struggle, relaxed
Struggled, settled, licked
No Struggle, licked at hands
No struggle, froze

The remainder of the tests are an evaluation of obedience aptitude and working ability and provides a general picture of a dog's intelligence, spirit and willingness to work with a human being. For most owners, a good companion dog will score in the 3 to 4 range in this section of the test. Dogs scoring a combination of 1's and 2's require experienced handlers who will be able to draw the best aspects of their potential from them.

Test Measure
Retrieving response Crouch beside the dog and attract his attention with a crumpled-up paper ball. When the dog shows interest and is watching, toss the object 4-6 feet in front of the dog

This test measures the degree of willingness to work with a human. There is a high correlation between ability to retrieve and successful obedience dogs

How did your pup do?
Chases object, picks up object and runs away
Chases object, stands over object, does not return
Chases object and returns with object to tester
Chases object and returns without object to tester
Starts to chase object, loses interest
Does not chase object at all
Touch sensitivity

Take the puppy's webbing of one front foot and press it between your finger and thumb lightly then more firmly until you get a response, while you count slowly to 10. Stop as soon as the puppy pulls away, or shows any discomfort.
DO NOT USE YOUR FINGERNAIL WHEN PERFORMING THIS TEST!

This test measures the degree of sensitivity to touch

How did your pup do?
8-10 counts before response
6-7 counts before response
5-6 counts before response
2-4 counts before response
1-2 counts before response
Sound sensitivity Place the pup in the center of the area, either the tester or the assistant makes a sharp noise a few feet away from the puppy. A large metal spoon struck sharply on a metal pan works well

This test measures the degree of sensitivity to sound (also can be a rudimentary test for deafness).

How did your pup do?
Listens, locates the sound and walks toward it barking
Listens, locates sound, barks
Listens, locates sound, shows curiosity and walked toward the sound
Listen, locates the sound
Cringes, backs-off, hides
Ignores the sound, shows no curiosity
Sight sensitivity Place the pup in the center of the area. Tie a string around a large towel and jerk it across the floor a few feet away from the puppy.

This test measures the degree of the degree of intelligent response to a strange object

How did your pup do?
Looks, attacks, and bites
Looks, barks, and tail-up
Looks curiously, attempts to investigate
Looks, barks, tail-down or tucked
Runs away, hides

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