German Shepherd Puppy Testing

Puppy testing by Georgia K9 National Training Center in Canton, GA
I volunteer for German Shepherd Rescue and we rescued these 8 puppies from a backyard breeder and they have all been adopted out to great loving homes. This is just a temperament test so we know how to match the right dog with the right family. If a puppy didn't like kids we would not want to place them in a home with children, or if a puppy was super high drive they wouldn't do well as just a family dog but needs to placed in an active home.
I filmed this for my own personal viewing to get some tips on evaluating dogs when they are picked up from the shelter. No, it is not me making all the noises and laughing, it was a person next to me. I did not expect it to be so popular/unpopular and get so many views. I was not asked to film it. I do not claim to be a professional trainer, etc, I am just a dog lover, volunteer who is trying to educate myself. What I do know is that GAK9 has volunteered their time and expertise and has helped us with many, many dogs with behavior issues and general training. These dogs were not harmed in any way shape or form. I will answer any questions that I can.

[@moondip1]

I like how the man explains the process. Thanks!

[@tomvanhoesen9479]

Part science, part guessing , unless you own the litter and see the constant behaviours. I also like the blanket test. A huge part of puppy development for working pups is the breeder doing all the right things like socialization , noise, swimming, obstacles , other dogs at about 6 weeks , lots of people , kids and stimulation.

[@jaiewall8673]

Trying being an adult and give a little professional courtesy. The laughing alone is enough for me to move to another video.

[@ratherbecampingdadjustdad4387]

This guy is fantastic! Best, thorough evaluation I've seen in 20 years. Great job!!

[@toodle171]

My wife and I really appreciate this as we are looking for a mild shepherd and not a working dog. Great stuff!

[@Kaspar008]

proceeds to laugh and take pictures with a loud phone

[@frankietejada2058]

I love you for helping the dogs. I want to donate to your cause.

[@GivenToFly_PJ]

+Frankie Tejada Thanks Frankie! Our website is www.gashepherd.org/make-a-donation.html All donations go directly to the vet care of all the dogs in rescue.

[@jpwilliams5264]

This is a great video. We are awaiting our puppy and this was great to see. Mother amd after are from good working lines and I will be trying to find that balance or a good protection instinct and a medium drive. It will be a family pet but I would love to have a dog that has some drive for tracking ect.

[@snarkymama68]

Whoever the woman was laughing, snotting, talking in the background totally ruined it and took away any professional intent on the trainers part.

[@mssonyah09]

MaMa Mia she was like an evil sound in the background while he’s talking.

[@T.Q.]

You shouldn't be laughing, sniffing, coughing and making noises with your camera when the dog is being tested. The man said multiple times that outside stimulation isn't helping and yet you're still doing it. I'm surprised he didn't just tell you to leave.

[@acacia8855]

It wasn't even them tho.

[@jamesbasham5439]

Okay dog whisper

[@lynnmoles1525]

Great video but would have been easier to listen to without the person having to repeatedly being told to be quiet then still doofy laughing

[@mrjamesryan333]

Sounded like beavis or butthead doing the filming!

[@MyMilo777]

some people just cant shut up

[@TxCwby]

Very useful information I won’t get to hear because of participant noise.

[@brennynmb2150]

Damn wish I could get that clipboard there looking at, about to purchase a puppy and would like to test for trainability

[@warrenstowe5041]

Do you have downloadable forms to test out our own puppies? I am going next week to pick out my new puppy he will almost be 5 weeks old.

[@markdcosta7789]

When you drop the stainless steel bowl. The pup after initial fright reaction will run towards it after it makes an association of its food bowl. Won't this give wrong analysis of the test?

[@adrienisaacrubalcado5879]

Lol those people In the background that won’t shut up are the type to have erratic poorly behaved dogs because they’re clueless... So damn annoying 💀

[@mssonyah09]

Adrien Isaac Rubalcado I’m not a violent person but even I wanted to slap her and tell her to shut up. She was like a mosquito buzzing, while he was talking.

[@peaceandlove5214]

How to choose a healthy German shepherd puppy for herding guarding work?

[@tracybrooks1920]

I see video is 9 yrs old- hope you see Is this also called the Volhard test? It is a good video, dont worry about the cross talk & noises by video operator. I found value in you explaining the set up ideal for testing. I didn't catch the age of puppy- 6 wks? I have viewed another video by an experienced Breeder/ trainer done @ 7 wks. Is 6 to 7 weeks ideal age. Thank You

[@vikidobe]

Submissive urination? The puppy had just been taken from a vehicle, and probably had to pee.

[@smpltnimnt]

Extremely educational video! Thanks. I have been researching the GSD for 3 years as well as the sport of Schutzhund, in preparation to hopefully purchase one in the next couple years. I am Certified canine behavioralist and work with wolves at my local zoo. However, selecting a puppy for work purposes is not in my field of expertise. I wanted to ask you if you knew of any great Working German Shepherd breeders in NC.

[@NCSparkyone]

Gavin Russell Try Vom Weiland german shepherds in bath, nc. ;)

[@kentshuster8927]

Gavin Russell to purchase a trained German Shepherds you better get about three jobs buddy start about 35,000 for an average protection dogs Elite protection dogs go for 70 buy Junkyard Dog

[@marcocastillo0510]

My wife and I have decided to become German Sheppard owners, is this test used or done to determine whether or not the puppy would be a good match for our or a family

[@GivenToFly_PJ]

Yes it will help determine weather a puppy has high prey drive, or potential tracking skills, if it will be good with kids, or if it is laid back and will just make a good family pet.

[@iCassandraa]

This is a test for anyone who's looking for a dog for police work or competition IPO. A puppy who passes this test will likely be sold to the K-9 unit and any who fail the test will likely be sold as family pets. I would not use all aspects of this test if you are just wanting a companion. For example, the prey drive. It is vital for a police dog or IPO dog to have a prey drive, however not reccomended in a dog WHOS just going to be at home (they usually end up chasing smaller animals, bicycles, cars, Etc) so if you want a family pet its best to actually go with one who has a low prey drive.

[@GallowsPole805]

But using all portions of this test will tell you what you probably have and what you probably do not have. Skipping portions of it leaves unknowns and unknowns are not acceptable for K9’s or family pets.

[@scottgibbons5862]

What is a skoooore

[@justinshuman4458]

How was the guy filming? Wow...I almost turned the video off because of his annoying laugh and heavy breathing, glad I didn't! The video was awesome!( other than the guy in the background)

[@GivenToFly_PJ]

I was filming it, but the "guy" next to me was actually a girl :) And yes it was rather annoying lol.

[@justinshuman4458]

Haha, oops :) The video was very well done and very educational!

[@HalimA-le9zp]

@@GivenToFly_PJ I love the information in the video and that it's at the same time compared to the man's own experiences and reality point of view as a start .. Thank you all as a team and I am very sure such a team can make an unbelievable great videos BUT with little small twitches since the real base of the video and 90% of a super successful video is actually there... For an example it would have been a better view for us if you zoomed when they were away by the tree, or maybe set a small 2 feet watch spot in the middle so u can be shooting every thing closely, u can just put barrels for an example it's easy to build and remove... I like the comments or "voices" you make reacting to something the puppy does but maybe if u used a bluetooth Microphone to be with the speaker for clearer voice, less heavy breathing AND no continues yucky nose sniffing lol 🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧 But all what I wrote is to make it super, make it most viewed top notch... now its good if you are here for the information and content it self . In GENERAL you all did good job and next time will do greater one I'm sure... I like that if feels it's a family business even with the laughs and angry dad's words some times lol P.s. this is my first time ever in my whole life to write a reply on any post or make any action on KZbin than hitting like/dislike.

[@libertyoutdooradventures208]

@@HalimA-le9zp stick to just putting thumbs up or thumbs down.

[@americandingo6715]

Make a nice pet for a family

[@n8c438]

What is the test called?

[@greekatso]

+Nate Corliss The Puppy Aptitude Test

[@deepaknayak635]

good vdeo ..........but in background ...unneccesary voices like sniffing, breathing,whisper very irritating .............i hav to download other vdo..to train my dog

[@pazrexthegermanshepherd4745]

This isn't a training video,it is a puppy temperament test.. In other words.... Its kind of meant to show what type of puppy its going to be (very dominant, dominant, submissive, very submissve etc) to show the puppies personality and to see what type of home the dog would do better with.

[@michaelfortunato1860]

Tester has a good style. Better to avoid a wet day if possible -- the retrieve test means nothing if the object is wet, unless you are testing for field trial retrievers or dogs with intense prey drive. -- and the dominance test on wet ground could be traumatic for a rescue pup or a dog without strong nerve. You know you frightened at least one puppy here. Person doing the scoring/narrating should be getting hands-on feedback from the tester BEFORE making his scoring judgments -- or you are missing a lot of data. (The query at 5:01 is very good.) Further, less talking during the testing -- at least whisper to the camera out of the pup's hearing. As well. the sound you are making is too loud and unkind -- this makes sense for gun dogs and SchH dogs but not pets -- you could do harm. Otherwise, this is very good. (I've tested many dozens of litters for seeing eye, Schutzhund, obedience, and breed clubs.) I applaud this effort for the poor rescue pups. This is a much more competent test than most.

[@GallowsPole805]

If it was an elite lineage working line Mal puppy he would gave been testing the humans....not the other way around lol.

[@andrewbarchenger2010]

I disagree that she's a bad candidate based on not chewing on a rag and not wanting to follow the handler in the woods on a single occasion. It's still a puppy and everything is new. Plus she doesn't understand why humans are standing around and not interacting with her.

[@Rachelle01puppies]

Interesting assessment until the ending. The alpha roll-over is an antiquated way to assess forgiveness and social ranking. There are many more gentle ways to do this. For this girl who did so well during the testing, she must be wondering what in the world did I do wrong to be punished this way. If you'll notice with the sound sensitivity test, she did not have the self-confidence to approach the bowl either the 1st or 2nd time to investigate it however she was confident to trust the handler and follow her to the bowl to investigate. This alpha rollover at the end, will affect her trust in people now. This experience will create a very strong negative memory link in the limbic system. This puppy is so sweet, she forgave the handler right away however this does not mean this experience will not have a lasting effect on her. I wish assessors would do more homework before just jumping and following the status quo. If you're having your puppies assessed, please do your homework. Ensure the method used meet your approval and that the assessors theoretical beliefs are same a yours because there are various ones in the canine industry which affect interpretations of body language signals and intent.

[@100Papayas]

Rachelle Buckle Can you suggest the different and more gentle ways to do this? I started recently to get interested in this subject and the only test I heard about was the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test.

[@CuTiEnAtI417]

At what age is this test performed?

[@GivenToFly_PJ]

It is usually performed at 7 weeks old.

[@mynameismom1]

About 7 weeks I believe

[@POPJack1717]

Filmed by Beevis and Butthead.

[@GivenToFly_PJ]

G P actually it filmed by me, I was unfortunately next to Beevis and Butthead! 😂 trust me I was annoyed myself!

[@TheWorkingAussie]

I don't see any thing to laugh at.

[@scottymack9410]

puppy only a few months since birth the test is absurd

[@lucocamclean]

Why the hell are you laughing!!!

[@greatestever3542]

SERIOUSLY CAMERA PERSON REALLY REALLY REALLY ANNOYING RUINED A GREAT EXERCISE SOUND THICK!!!!!

[@sirwiddlescabbagebaker]

Actually it turns out it was the lady next to her that was making weird piggy laughing, but wouldn't trust that info, ( it was said by the person who was filming ). She said that the lady who was next to her was doing that, but I'm not to sure... If it's true, than that lady is either really close or is obnoxiously loud. Either way, doesn't really matter, but it was still rude that they were laughing :(

[@punkdevito]

This is such a weird test. It's a puppy that knows nothing

[@soulgarden1111]

Theyre getting the baseline of its personality...definitely can see their nature even as puppies though of couree they change a bit..

[@J_Brown7055]

Why is he crying. Is that bastard hurting him. Why is he holding him down like that

[@shreebhasker6279]

Applause for the professional demeanour of the handlers (even though the tests were constantly disrupted by childish audience). Having said that the alpha roll-over test is nothing but cruel practice and it must be stopped wherever it is being practised. Why would you put a little puppy through such a distress? How do we know that this has not left an indelible scar on her? Are there no other non-cruel tests that exist or can be devised which can test the forgiveness etc ? Would you test your own children or allow a school to test them in such a cruel manner to measure their capacity for "forgiveness" ?

[@GallowsPole805]

If my kid was being screened to be combat soldier/marine/sailor/airmen then yes. If my kid was being screened to be a LE officer then yes. If my kid was being screened to be a mma fighter/rugby player/ wrestler then yes. This puppy was bred to work. The vendor/client must know what they are selling/buying as this dog might be the difference between life and death one day depending on the circumstances.

[@cindyramos5957]

I understand it's a bit distressing to watch, but it's not like they are sliced with a knife.

[@shreebhasker6279]

@@cindyramos5957 Surely you will use the same standards to excuse anyone treating your kids like this.... after all it's not like they are sliced with a knife.

[@cindyramos5957]

@@shreebhasker6279 I'm an animal lover, I have 3 rescued cats, and 1 dog, 60 chickens and currently fostering a puppy of this breed, hence I got curious about these dogs training and saw this video. I feel this is necessary to test capabilities and personality traits on a puppy. Is the puppy actually being hurt?? NO. Yes it's uncomfterable for them to be held on their back like that, they are crying or struggling not because they are being physically hurt, but because the ones with more dominant genes can't tolerante being submissive. If they are able to later "forgive" you for this, it shows a good disposition necesary for a dog that will be trained and working with a handler. It is only done once. Really don't think this is animal cruelty. Just like you take your kids to be vaccinated or brush their teeth despite them not wanting to or crying. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Now I do want to add that in other videos I saw they didn't hold the puppy down in this way, simply flipped them down gently with belly rubs, but no idea which way is correct or better.

[@cindyramos5957]

@@shreebhasker6279 I take really good care of my kids, I don't allow ANYONE to mistreat them. I've cut off friendships and family members who mistreat my kids. Again, these puppies aren't being mistreated, maybe made uncomfterable yes, but they are going to be trained to be soldiers, basically a living weapon. They have to screen the right ones. I can tell you are a good person because you feel concern for other living beings, but it's imposible for any dog or human for that matter, to NEVER be in any stress in their lives. They are testing how they react beacuse they WILL be constantly in stress, might be accidently stepped on or hit during training or work and they need the right candidate for that.

[@golfinguna]

IS THIS SOME SORT OFWIND UP. 4 ADULTS + a childish camera man to test??? a puppy?

[@GivenToFly_PJ]

Read info on the video for explanation of said video.

[@chekainaezraestoya38]

This people. Behind the camera is distracted the behavior of the dog and not professional.so annoying.

[@Frigyluvyou]

All this money spent on dog testing trying to think like a dog. But teacher's can't get a raise in pay to teach our kids.

[@GivenToFly_PJ]

Chomba Kone How about reading the description of the FREE evaluation video done for rescued dogs before making such an ignorant comment!

[@Frigyluvyou]

@@GivenToFly_PJ why thank you for pointing that out to me. Ignorant me just trying to promote positive vibes. I'll shut up. Thanks

[@mgreene011]

What a scam

[@GivenToFly_PJ]

You should read the info about the video before making an inaccurate comment about being a scam. 🙄

[@sherwaynemathurin8123]

🤣 Then whats the point of future "Dog Training" 🤔 Such baffales me. Also if there are certain scents in the area the pup or dog will react accordinly given new location. Lol how much does this guy get paid for this assesment 🤣 sign me up. This is the bullshit going on in schools with kids 🤣 wrong assesments day in and day out. BS concluions on a mass scall 😊✌ Take control of your own 😉 teach and train accordinly 💎

[@joesmoe8983]

What a bunch of crap😂

[@jasonwalker9649]

What a load of crap, these are very young pups in a new place with strange people and some wife sniggering and so on. Would you do that with a 8 week old child to see how it will grow up, in a new home this pup will develop and grow to its potential in its new home and all of it depends on how it's brought up. I can see what he's trying to do but I bet not every dog he picks will work like he wants as they go into programs and not every pup makes it regardless no pups are the same

[@sabinchacko3]

what a shit.. called testing.. so what do we do with the rest of the puppies who fails in the test,,? abandon? They are assessing the trust and other abilities of a puppy of only weeks old.. Pathetic.. It's all in their instinct and depends on the handler.. :p

[@juliascott8617]

Sabin Chacko First of all there is no such thing as failing this test and it's ridiculous for you assume that these puppies where abandoned. I volunteer for German Shepherd Rescue and we rescued these 8 puppies from a backyard breeder and they have all been adopted out to great loving homes. This is just a temperament test so we know how to match the right dog with the right family. If a puppy didn't like kids we would not want to place them in a home with children, or if a puppy was super high drive they wouldn't do well as just a family dog but needs to placed in an active home. Please don't assume something you do not know anything about! Thanks!

[@zavog68]

The guy has no idea what is talking about in special with science and magic .....to candidate a puppy. What he is related to is only for a ‘pray’ drive and looking for dogs who do anything by their owns He never contemplate once what he can as a trainer , to fix or strength the weaknesses of the puppy to achieve to be a police dog. You do not train the talent, you train to strength and cue away the weaknesses of the talented dog to perform at an higher level.

[@djunglebobo]

only in murican people can do something like this and make money.... why the fck u test dogs? So in murica u test kid what u born? or what?

[@GivenToFly_PJ]

+yolo swaggins Only ignorant people make stupid comments like this. I volunteer for German Shepherd Rescue and we rescued these 8 puppies from a backyard breeder and they have all been adopted out to great loving homes. We did not make any money off these puppies as their adoption fee paid for their vet care. This is just a temperament test so we know how to match the right dog with the right family. If a puppy didn't like kids we would not want to place them in a home with children, or if a puppy was super high drive they wouldn't do well as just a family dog but needs to placed in an active home. Please don't assume something you do not know anything about! Thanks!

[@zantasu]

+yolo swaggins I can smell the ignorance.

[@djunglebobo]

WafflePorn ignorance is bliss

[@GivenToFly_PJ]

+Ronda Witt please read the description of the video above. Thanks!

[@frankietejada2058]

+yolo swaggins You are an idiot. Obviously, that is important in placing a dog.