Avidog APET Test
OMG Poodles uses the Avidog APET Test to temperament test all the puppies in every litter. This test evaluates the puppies over 3 personality traits, averaging 30 minutes per puppy. OMG Poodles takes the entire litter and dam to a trusted trainers facility around the 7 week mark to get tested and videos each puppy for those who are on the waitlist for the litter.
Here are some links to the temperament tests done on our most recent litter, the Zodiac Litter (Tamu x Cerridwen):
It is still common for breeder to use the Valhard testing protocols for their litters, OMG Poodles strongly disagrees with this practice. The test was developed in the 1970s and is now considered outdated by many canine behaviorists and preservation breeders.
The test relies on a flaws "dominance" and submission framework that includes a cradle test (holding the puppy on its back) or applying pressure to a toe web. Today behavioral science has thoroughly debunked the traditional apha/dominance model in favor of recognition that freezing or struggling during physical restraints is a measure of fear or stress rather than a fixed personality trait.
Also the structured enrichment programs that we use like Puppy Culture and Avidog skews the results. This is because our puppies are exposed to daily and positive neonatal handling they are not startled by being held upside down or restrained. This fact makes the result of the Valhard Test a reflection of early training not their underlying temperament.
The Avidog Puppy Evaluation (APET) was developed to correct the scientific flaws and outdated concept of the Volhard test. APET is grounded in modern behavioral science, genetics, and developmental psychology.
The evaluation provides a massive amount of data through 10 tests looking many traits. Some traits include perseverance, pack drive, biddability, visual/auditory startle recovery, and desire to connect vs. desire to explore. through these tests we break down behavior into nuances.
it is also worth pointing out that the Avidog Evalution follows the idea of "matching" not passing or failing. The Valhard test specifically labels certain scores as "difficult", "aggressive", or "independent". This idea assumes that there is a universally good or bad puppy. The idea behind APET is there isn't a perfect puppy but there is a perfect puppy for you.
Differences between puppies are a data point not a flaw.
Avidog Evaluation also differentiates stable traits from malleable behaviors. Traits that may be able to change through training and/or socialization.
Here is a link to Avidog's book on their test:
https://www.avidog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/APET-Packet-Extract.pdf