HOW TO do the ZAP 1 Character Assessment Full Break down of all exercises German Shepherd dog

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The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is the most versatile breed of dog in the World which is why it is not only a widely used service dog in very many different ways and a favourite for many canine sports but also is a much loved companion dog. Its unique character, incorporating intelligence, loyalty, confidence and determination, lie behind its popularity.
In any breed of dog, popularity can lead to indiscriminate breeding and the erosion of key breed characteristics. The SV (GSD Club in Germany, the World Governing Body) has at its core the protection of the unique characteristics of the GSD. The objective being to ensure the GSD remains the outstanding companion dog and working dog that it should always be.
A programme known as the Breed Harmonisation Programme was introduced in 2016 by the SV across the World through the WUSV (World Union of GSD Clubs) member clubs.
A fundamental element of this programme is the introduction of an assessment of the character of German Shepherd Puppies between the age of 9 and 13 months. The assessment looks at various aspects of the puppy’s character and comments on them in order that the puppy’s owner can understand their puppy’s behaviour better and have some information which will help when considering basic training requirements and methods. For those who are interested it can give insight into suitability for activities such obedience, tracking, agility and breeding.
The assessment is known as the ZAP Character Assessment (ZAP 1 for short)*
*note that ZAP1 is in its early stages and as such changes to terminology, procedures etc may occur.
The assessment consists of a number of tasks which have been developed to test the puppy’s natural behaviours and instincts: Is the puppy sociable with people and animals? How does the puppy react to noise? Does the puppy like to play? How does the puppy react to unusual situations?
The tasks are based on those used by service organisations when selecting puppies for working and are as follows:
The assessor discusses the puppy with its handler
ID check - on lead
Examination of Teeth - on lead
Examination of Testicles for males - on lead
Measurement of height - loose lead
Dog is given to the judge to hold the lead - handler walks away & calls dog
Dog is held on lead by a stranger - handler walks behind a group of people & calls dog
Handler and dog on lead walk toward a group of people and stop at the group
Handler and dog walk through the group, dog off lead
Handler and dog go to a person in the group and casually greet each other
The dog meets another dog, both on lead, at a distance three paces apart
Noise sensitivity - engine running - chain saw/leaf blower/lawn mower etc. passes dog
with dog on loose lead
Noise sensitivity - chain dropped on metal plate - dog on loose lead at a distance
Gun test at 15 paces dog on loose lead
Handler and the dog play off lead.
Handler guides the dog onto a rocking platform and plays with the dog using a toy as the
platform is gently rocked by the judge
The dog is guided up a ramp or steps onto 3 long tables which are placed end to end
with a turn and a small gap. The dog is encouraged by the owner to walk the length of
the tables and back to the start position and off the table.
Handler with the dog on the lead plays with the dog and then plays with the dog and a
toy. Handler gives the dog on lead to the judge and with the dog watching the handler, toy in hand walks away from the dog & places the toy under a box 10m paces away. Handler returns to the dog, takes the lead from the judge and then lets the dog off the lead to retrieve the toy from under the box and bring the toy back to the handler
Reaction to smooth surface - dog is taken into a club house and let of the lead to walk around on the slippery floor. At a point a metal food bowl is dropped on the floor.
The dog is tied by lead to a securely fixed object in a suitable place. The handler walks
out of site. After about 5 minutes a stranger approaches the dog, pats it, reassuringly talks to it and then walks away. The handler returns to the dog.
What does my puppy have to do to pass the assessment?
The assessor is looking to see how the puppy reacts to each of the tasks, each puppy will react differently and the assessor will comment on the reaction in terms of how closely it fits with the expectation for a GSD puppy or what it tells us about the puppy’s aptitudes.
There are no points awarded and no pass mark - the assessor simply makes comments about each task.
For anyone wishing to obtain an SV Breed Survey (koerung) it should be noted that a ZAP Character Assessment is required for all dogs born after 1st July 2017.
Can any puppy enter a ZAP Character Assessment?
To enter ZAP, it must be a pedigree German Shepherd Puppy, registered in the country of its birth, micro-chipped and aged between 9 and 13 months.

[@brianwootton3920]

Useful introduction to the test But the term ZAP1 ,has now been dropped,It is simply the WesensBeurteilung ie WB: character test.ZAP now used to name the simplified working test involving the Trained sections (A) nose work (B)obedience and