tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post5246806764443974653..comments2024-03-15T03:43:53.437-04:00Comments on INSIDE THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS WORLD: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE TEMPERAMENT TEST?Barbara J. Galassohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06374747787599553697noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post-89294011752474560882010-06-10T10:38:44.155-04:002010-06-10T10:38:44.155-04:00I have known people who trained for the temperamen...I have known people who trained for the temperament test because their dog(s) were very reactive (spooked) at loud, unsuspected noises (i.e., a bucket of rocks rattled at them, the gunshot, and the opening of the umbrella - all part of the TT exercises). The training to desensitize them worked, and they all passed the TT with scores that indicated the dog's temperament was more sound (or stable) than it might have been without training for the test. However, the pre-test training had additional longterm and beneficial effects in that the dogs were able to learn that these things where not a threat to them. The point I'm making is that you certainly can train for the temperament test. Many of the TT exercises are similar to the Volhard puppy apptitude test exercises, which gives breeders a good understanding of a puppy's apptitude for training and for placement with a potential new owners' lifestyles. Add Early Neurological Stimulation exercises to the puppy litter, and the puppies learn to adapt to new stimuli before their eyes are open and they can become even better tempered dogs.<br /><br />As for the value of temperament training, I think it is always good to know how your dog will react to stimuli, varied surfaces and a potential attacker. Of course, you need to factor in the possibility that a puppy may have experienced scary things at a young age that taught it to react negatively. Clearly, there are too many variables. But, as Bruce commented, I also feel it is important to have control over your dog's response in a potentially dangerous situation.<br /><br />The good news is that our breed is an exceptional adaptable working dog, loyal and loving to its family. Those are the best traits and temperament of them all.Elaine Bookernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post-86837705074629622112010-06-09T18:25:13.818-04:002010-06-09T18:25:13.818-04:00Very well put Bruce. Thanks for sharing your thou...Very well put Bruce. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject.Barbara J. Galassohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06374747787599553697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post-60283828093389452312010-06-09T18:03:31.890-04:002010-06-09T18:03:31.890-04:00It seems that we live in a society today that has ...It seems that we live in a society today that has to test and test again. Children dogs seniors, you name it. I retired from a professional occupation and had people working for me that had letters galore behind their name. That was suppose to make them capable but for the most part they couldn't pour water out of a boot if the instructions were written on the bottom. All it did was aggravate my secretaries when they had to include all those letters in the right order on their letters. <br />I personally think we put to much stock in tests and while most won't probably agree having a GSD with a long line of letters behind their name doesn't mean much to me. If it does to you, revel in it but to me there are just to many variables to make tests accurate. <br />How many people are going to come up to you and open an umbrella to surprise you or demand your money. What might come up to you is someone deranged but normal looking with a gun, knife or club. Who else would come up to a person with a GSD next to them with evil intentions but someone who is clearly not the brightest bulb in the box. I personally don't want a calm even tempered GSD to lay down or sit idle by and tell me - you handle it. Having them at the end of the leash isn't good either as they are more vulnerable. If they are on alert and right next to me where I can anticipate what they will do it then allows me to handle it without surprises. Any perpetrator would have a major dilemma as to whether they would have to deal with me, the GSD, or both. All I can say is those letters would not help in that situation.Brucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00263413130171705126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post-40730019358998009292010-06-09T15:38:26.242-04:002010-06-09T15:38:26.242-04:00Well Kathy if you belong to any of the e-mail list...Well Kathy if you belong to any of the e-mail lists (I send this blog to five of them) there's been comments there as well.Barbara J. Galassohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06374747787599553697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post-62931024496917483592010-06-09T15:34:41.837-04:002010-06-09T15:34:41.837-04:00Oh I am quite sure if a dog couldn't see very ...Oh I am quite sure if a dog couldn't see very well it would make a big difference. But even at this age, Lily's eyes were okay. Even at the age of fourteen she could see quite well yet thank heavens. Great comments on this subject so far. I've enjoyed reading them and always learn something new.Kathy Partchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07659038664711640570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post-24730509037849243572010-06-09T15:13:33.829-04:002010-06-09T15:13:33.829-04:00Thanks Kathy for sharing with us your experience w...Thanks Kathy for sharing with us your experience with the temperament test with one of your dogs. Wow, she was an "oldster" and she did so well. What would have happened if her eye sight failed her I wonder? Yes, my Pepper was one of my "heart dogs!"Barbara J. Galassohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06374747787599553697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post-68937126921101375012010-06-09T15:01:26.540-04:002010-06-09T15:01:26.540-04:00I put a TT on my German Shepherd, Lily at the age ...I put a TT on my German Shepherd, Lily at the age of thirteen. And of course, I was really proud she passed. It was the first time I ever put a dog through this test. I never had seen this test done before. Just read about the exercises on line and what people told me about it. I had no idea what Lily would do with all of the exercises. Oh sure, I had an idea what she might do, but wasn’t completely sure. And I have to think, being my girl was thirteen she had already been through a lot of life so far. So maybe this gave her an advantage to the test? It also was an extremely hot-humid Texas day at the end of June. I feel it added some stress to some of the dogs waiting their turn. The evaluator was a tuff retired Marine with a growl in his voice. So he made me kind of nervous at first going through all the rules. His biggest rule to the large group that day was, “I don’t want to see any tight leashes, or anyone talking to their dogs during the exercises.” “You just walk along with your dog and let them do their thing as we go through each exercise.” he demanded. My obedience trainer always trained me to set off on a positive foot. This made no difference in whatever you were doing with your dog. If you feel positive so will your dog -- simple strategy. So when the evaluator said, forward I took off on my positive foot. The only exercise, which was the last one with the agitator (bad guy) I wasn’t sure how we did. When the bad guy came over the hill threatening us, Lily went right to the end of her leash and looked at the bad guy like, “Yes. What are you up to?!” Her hackles never went up. She never barked or growled -- Just stood at the end of the leash glaring at the bad guy. She never moved from that position for the longest time – Just kept starring at the bad guy. I thought for sure we failed this exercise. Then the bad guy tried again with his threat waving the dangerous stick in the air. Lily stood her ground, and I guess this is all she had to prove. The test was over. The evaluator stood with his two secretaries finishing my paperwork. When finished, he came over to me and said, “Well, How do you think you did?” I really had no idea and said, “I think I did okay,” with a slight concern in my voice. “Well you passed and did very good!” he said. <br /><br />Barbara’s question: In your opinions, do you think that some dogs that have been certified temperament tested do not really have good temperaments at all, but instead are very well trained by professional trainers? As I said, I’m not trying to take away from those dogs that indeed have wonderful temperaments and they have the certificate to prove it.<br /><br />Only having done this test one time, I feel, probably a person can/could practice for the test. But when the test happens in a totally strange place with all strange people and dogs it’s a good game. It gives a dog a real good challenge to its temperament. And it does say a lot about the dog. Can the dog still have a bad temperament? Well, I suppose to some degree in different situations. Each day can always be different like it is with our personalities. What happens if that dog doesn’t feel good the day he does something he never would’ve done in the test? I feel there could be different scenarios. But it certainly gives you a great example of a good tempered dog.<br /><br />Barbara, I feel that was a great story about your bitch, Pepper and her visitor that day. It said much about her temperament.Kathy Partchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07659038664711640570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post-41181474392511475132010-06-09T14:43:57.419-04:002010-06-09T14:43:57.419-04:00Thanks Ruth for sharing that information with us. ...Thanks Ruth for sharing that information with us. It's a subject that not many of us know too much about.Barbara J. Galassohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06374747787599553697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post-52856303742079511512010-06-09T14:26:05.417-04:002010-06-09T14:26:05.417-04:00Done right, this is a valuable test. Done by an ev...Done right, this is a valuable test. Done by an evaluator who does not have the capability to properly evaluate this test, it is worse than useless. <br /><br />The biggest issue I see is that people think a higher numeric score is "better" - it is not. You just would not want to use a dog with a 33 score for the same job as a dog with a 0 score. Both can be passing scores. We have a breed capable of performing a wide variety of tasks and therefore a wide range of sound temperaments are acceptable. What you are really testing is the nerves - does the dog recover from increasing stress. Dogs who cannot recover from stress must fail this test. It is up to the owner/breeder to decide how to utilize a dog with a specific temperament type, but they all need strong nerves.Ruth Scheublerhttp://www.fairwayshepherds.comnoreply@blogger.com