How to identify a good puppy?

To identify a good puppy, you can start testing as early as 7 weeks old, but testing between 3 to 4 months may yield more accurate results. Every pup in a litter is different, and where you find your puppy also impacts behavior. Figuring out a puppy’s potential helps to match it to the best owner and helps owners pick the perfect match. There are ranges of behaviors, of course, and some pups may be more or less shy or outgoing. But if the pup shows unprovoked aggression, panics and cannot overcome this, or exhibits strong avoidance, then that is a pup that may need more rehabilitation work or socialization than most owners can provide. You can perform simple puppy assessments for puppies over the age of 7 weeks old, such as testing for independent-mindedness, noise sensitivity, and people-friendliness. Temperament tests can measure a puppy’s stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness. Ask your breeder or shelter what temperament tests, if any, have been performed and the result. A good thing with these tests is that if you can recognize the potential for negative behaviors from assessment indicators, then you can diminish or negate these behaviors with interventions such as socialization and proper training.