Learn more about what we do! It’s the heart and soul of our program along with the BAB Service Dog Curriculum outlined on our Badass Page

I want to start with explaining the test – What we are looking for and some of the things you will see to help you see it for yourself and hopefully understand how those traits might impact you. Energy levels are easy to read, and typically the only trait buyers have been aware of, or that has simply been given a name.

We start with the tester already in the space quiet and waiting. The testing space is a place the puppies have never been before; however, the tester is known to them. We want to see who they are with the people they trust. We give them some time to take in the space and adjust and we are looking to see how they first interact with the tester. This is Assertiveness… Are they calm and polite, do they jump all over the tester mouthing/biting, do they submissively crawl to the tester. This is a steady trait. It is a representation of who the puppy really is. Steady traits will not change. We continue to watch this interaction throughout the test and make notes. As they get comfortable do they become more assertive?

We spend our next few minutes bonding and building trust. Petting and loving. We also see what toys they may be interested in to determine how best to help the puppy de-stress if the need arrives. During this interaction we are noting Energy Levels and prey drive as well. This is observed through the entire interaction. Do they run from 1 item to another? Do they show times of activities and times of rest? Do they often sit or lay? Energy levels are a steady trait. This is who they are and will not change. Keep in mind this is in a “new” space. They will demonstrate more energy level in the comfort of their own home. Prey drive is shown by how they choose to play with the toys. If they are triggered by the motion of the ball. If they like to tug or thrash the toy about. This tells us if they are likely to enjoy a game of fetch, or if the movements of small children will trigger them or how they might interact with a small pet at home, like a cat. This is who they are and will not change, a steady trait.

As we get up and move about, we are checking to see how Human Focused puppy is. Do they need to be with us every step of the way? Do they keep track of us, but investigate their surroundings? Are they super independent and could care less about our movements? This is the difference between a “velcro” dog or an “independent” dog and everything in between. This is who they are and will not change, a steady trait. However, “focus” itself can be trained.

We check for Workability by asking them to perform a task. Climbing an obstacle or bringing back a ball they have chased. How willing are they to please us and do as asked? Do they have to be encouraged? Do they have to be bribed? Do they really want to, but don’t think they can? Confidence- Do they believe in their own ability to accomplish a task? So we look at their body language. Did they want to do it and feel they couldn’t, or did they just not desire to do it? Workability is a steady trait, whereas Confidence is an adjustable trait. The more the puppy is empowered the more their confidence will grow. The more they are enabled the more their confidence will shrink.

We demonstrate for the camera how Touch Tolerant or compliant a puppy is by doing their puppy massage. We are noting how “compliant” they may be with “inappropriate” handling, such as a child might do. But we also observe their body language. Did they enjoy it and snuggle in after words, or did they simply put up with it, because that is the expectation? A puppy that truly enjoyed it would be rated as high, where a puppy that tolerated it would be medium. This is an adjustable trait; this can be changed through both positive and negative interactions.

We test their Sound sensitivity with a popper toy. Do they startle? Do they run and hide? could they care less? We also check their Sight sensitivity with the popping open of an umbrella. We ask the same questions. The tarp covers a combination of both sight and sound. As we continue to move through the test we are observing nerve strength. We stack one stress after another to see if they continue to work through it, or if we have to take a break and destress. These are all an adjustable trait; this can be changed through both positive and negative interactions. By Empowering instead of enabling. This here is one of our major curriculum focuses.

Nerve Strength is measured as we move from 1 test to another. Can the handle the stress on 1 test stacked on top of another test, or do we have to take a break and de-stress. Stress is observed through a number of things. Their body language such as, heads low, bodies kept close to the ground, tail tucked, yawning or lip smacking, trembling, whale eyes. Then there is the more obvious, avoiding or whining.

By laying on the floor or throwing a childlike fit we check their response to intense emotions and commotion (Tenderheartedness) This could be an argument in your home, children loudly rough housing. It would resemble a large birthday party or excitedly watching a football game. This would also be intense emotions with crying, heavy petting, depression, anxiety. This is a steady trait and will not change, an extremely tenderhearted puppy will try to leave or escape showing us that they cannot handle this level of extreme. This puppy would be best placed in a crate or a separate room during times of commotion and you would have to protect the puppy by not placing large emotions on the puppy. Not suited for depression, anxiety (ESA) or therapy work A highly tenderhearted puppy feels responsible and will want to “fix it” this is shown by them snuggling the tester. This puppy may be suited for mild cases of depression or anxiety so long as all are aware to put your feelings in check and not place them on the puppy/dog. This need to protect your puppy from your emotions often can help on its own in mild cases. They will feel personally responsible for not being able to “fix it”. This puppy often excels in therapy work when paired with a high touch tolerance, so long as their handler is aware of their limitations and does not ask them to do intense work such as hospice, oncology, ect. A medium puppy will not show many signs of being “aware” of the commotion/emotions. May explore or play but go back to the tester to check in on them. This puppy is ideal as an ESA and combined with a high touch tolerance would excel in intense therapy work. This puppy will handle intense emotion well, without being consumed by them. A low puppy will not even seem to notice or care. They will continue their activities/play. Not to be mistaken for overwhelmed and avoiding. We pay particular attention to their body language to determine the difference. This puppy is ideal as an ESA. They will demand attention and play bringing their person with them and away from their own spiral.

Last of all we note how the puppy will approach our “Dog” and gauge Dog Friendliness. We need the dog to remain still and not ask to be noticed, so we always used a stuffed dog. During the introduction of other dogs and play time we also take any notes of worth about particular puppies and use that information here on their scorecard as well. This rates their assertiveness on approach, not their friendliness. An assertive dog (will approach) is NOT an aggressive dog. We observe how polite and/or submissive they are. This needs to be taken into account when you have another dog at home. They should complement each other. This is an adjustable trait; this can be changed through both positive and negative interactions. We also see just how “dog focused” they are. are they so focused on a dog that they just can’t function. Do they prefer another dog over their person? Do they look to the dog for comfort or confirmation?