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Testing aptitude of Maltese puppy

Is anyone familar with testing the aptitude of a young puppy, and if so could give me some information on it. Is any maltese breeders out there performing these tests? I can't seem to find much on this subject?
Marge Simon

• Unfortunately, many breeders are not yet familar with the notion of puppy aptitude testing. This test was designed to predict adult temperament. Some of the things evaluated are curiosity and sensitivity to both sight and sound, degree of dominance and interest in socializing with people. Maltese pups should be tested at right around 7 weeks of age. The test should be given in an unfamilar area of the pup. For best results the pup(s) being tested should be a stranger to the tester. This will maximize objectivity.

  One has a much better chance of identifying the right pup for the right family with the use of this aptitude test which is why it is recommended.

  Very breifly, this is how it works. The tester has a score sheet. The methods used are standardized so as the test can be performed consistently and puppies can then be compared to one another. Points or a score is given in relationship to how the pup reacts to the tester when for example the tester starts walking away from the pup. Does the pup follow readily? Get underfoot? Is his/her tail up? or tail down? Does the pup follow hesitantly? or come readily? The purpose of this particular part of the test will show the degree the pup is attracted to people or the degree to follow human leadership. This is just one of many things tested for. The way the pup reacts is recorded by the tester in the form of points for each subtest. The test that we have used points range from 1-6. Each subtest is scored independently of the other subtests. Several generalizations are then made regarding the scores. A score of 1 might indicate the puppy is aggressive. 2 would indicate very bold. 3..self confident. Submissive a 4 and a five says the pup is shy. Once again there are many subtests given and what one looks for when interpreting the results is an overall pattern. If I find a large discrepancy between the test results and the way I thought the results should have been from my own observations, we will have the test repeated the next day.

  I can go on and on, but this is the basics. If you would like more information, feel free to send me an email and I will be happy to answer your questions if I can. These tests can be a lot of fun and one can get experienced fairly quickly in performing them accurately.
  Jay Bianco