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SELECTING A PUPPY WITH THE
RIGHT PERSONALITY FOR YOU!!
Even though each breed has certain personality traits, all adult dogs personalities are conditioned by the environment in which they are raised and the training they receive.
There are personality tests that you may perform which will reveal the temperament of the puppy before you decide to adopt. These tests are only guides to help you in making your choice. While there is no guarantee or fool proof test that is 100% accurate, this test will definitely serve as a basic guide.
To assist you in interpreting the test results we have described the basic dog temperaments for you.
- Dominant - The dominant dog is one that usually rebels against all authority. This dog should not be purchased as a pet. It will make a perfect guard/watch dog if properly trained by an experienced trainer.
- Independent - The independent dog requires a lot of training. He is not recommended with children. He usually needs a specific job and does it quite well if properly handled.
 Docile - The docile dog is even tempered, obedient, allows you to
channel their energy. This dog is very stable, will do very well with
children and family environments.
- Tractable - The tractable dog is also even tempered, can have an overly needy personality. This dog has an increased need for attention and affection. He will also do exceptionally well in family situations and with children.
- Unpredictable - The unpredictable dog is just as his name describes. They are anxious, and will misbehave at a drop. This dog is a definite no, no with children.
Each basic dog temperament has its positives and negatives. It is up to  you to decide what basic personality you are in search of and know that all dogs thrive from consistency and stable environment. So whatever your needs or plans are for him make sure that you are willing, able, and committed to following through.
Now lets perform the test and look at the results to see what type of dog/puppy you may have or may be adopting. You may perform this teat on pups as young as 6-8 weeks of age. Your number score corresponds with the number above. If your score is mostly comprised of 1s then you have a Dominant, 2s Independent, 3s Docile, 4s Clingy, and 5s Unpredictable.
How Social is Your Dog?
Put the puppy on the floor, move away and then call the pup with a clicking noise or clap.
- Comes to you, jumps around a
- Comes immediately with its tail hung high
- Comes to you and wags its tail
- Comes to you with its tail held low
- Doesnt respond
How Does the Dog Follow?
Move around the dog closely, then move from its field of vision, do not call the dog.
- Follows you, gnawing at your feet
- Follows you with its tail hung high
- Follows you with its tail held low
- Follows you, hesitating somewhat, its tail held low
- Doesnt follow at all
Will the Dog Allow Constraint?
Turn the dog over on its back. Hold the dog down gently by putting your hand over its chest.
- Resist, struggles, growls and chews.
- Resist, struggles, but no growling or chewing
- Resist at first, then clams down immediately and accepts.
- Doesnt resist at all
- Repeats a cycle of resisting, claming down, resisting, claming down while growling and struggling.
Will the Dog Accept Dominance?
Pet the pup starting at the head and continuing down the neck and back.
- Jumps around, growling, scratching and biting
- Jumps around and scratches
- Turns to you and licks your hands
- Turns over on its back and licks your hands
- Jumps around and moves away
Will your Dog Allow Lifting?
Pick the puppy up from the floor using both hands around its chest.
- Turns around quickly and bites
- Turns around quickly but does not bite
- Turns around and licks your hands
- Doesnt turn around at all
- Resist, shakes, calms down, growls or bites and then licks your hands
As with any personality test you will probably not get a perfect 5 out of 5 result, the majority rules. The majority of a certain number points toward that being the basic trait in the dog.
It is my personal opinion that a 4 and 5 make the best English Bulldog Companion. This is the score we look for when evaluating our dogs.
 Please note that even the "Ideal Puppy" can develop undesirable traits if not properly trained and raised.
Be aware that these results are relative to each individual. It is possible to mismatch personalities with your own. Dominant owners are better suited to raise a 1 or 2. While a 3 or 4 is better raised by a submissive personality. When personalities are mismatched the dog will tend to lean more to their individual traits and either becomes more submissive or more aggressive when raised by their opposites. Like personalities co-habituating together tend to compliment each other.
Why You Need To Be
"Top Dog"
Dogs descended from wolves, and deep within the psyche of your dog lies instincts they have retained from their wild ancestors. In order to live with and communicate with your dog you need to understand why you must maintain Alpha position in the "pack."
Your dog depends on you for its survival. It has learned that it must cooperate with you through thousands of years of evolution and adaptation in human society. The first domestication by man was the wolf. About twelve thousand years ago we discovered that having a wolf as a "pet" was a great asset. They could hunt alongside us and they could guard us as we slept.
As the years went by, the wolf began to mutate into different breeds. Scientists are unsure exactly how the first breeds developed. There are several different theories that include natural mutations, climate, and environment. The breeds became more numerous and more specialized. That is how we ended up with groups such as herding, hunting, shepherding, guarding, and of course, companion and lap dogs.
Of all the animals that we have domesticated, only the dog has willingly allowed itself to accept the authority of man without constraint. But as I said, it still retains the instinct to test its position. Yes, even sweet little Lady, the Maltese lying at your feet, has the genes and instincts of the wolf.
Wolves live by rules and have a social structure. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined. The leader of the pack eats first, and then the rest of the pack can eat. When your dog growls at you when he is eating, he is saying "I am the leader, and you must wait."
If your dog has a growling problem, here are some "rules to live by" that may be of help to you.
- Never tolerate growling. This is a threat and it means your dog sees you as a subordinate meant to be dominated by him. Tell him No! Let him know it is not acceptable to EVER growl at you or your children. Make it clear that your children are the offspring of his Alpha leader (you) and that they are to be treated as Alpha "pups."
- Do not let your dog walk through the door first. If your dog always goes ahead of you, you need to get your leash and open the door. When he rushes ahead you pull him back and tell him "No. Wait. " You walk in and then give him permission to come in. This will be easier and faster if you have someone help you.
- Do not let your dog sleep in the same bed as you. This is a definite Alpha position. If you just can't be without your dog in the bed, at the very least you need to make sure he sleeps at the foot of the bed. A doggie bed on the floor beside you is your best bet for maintaining Alpha position.
(this rule is for aggressive dogs or dogs showing signs they are forgetting their place... A pet that is well behaved and obedient can sleep next to you or your child)
Socialize, socialize, socialize. I cannot stress enough the importance of introducing your dog to different places and people. Find something to do with your dog. Join and agility or obedience class. Take your dog to the park. If you have a laid back dog or puppy share your time with the local nursing home. Volunteer with disability groups so children and adults with special needs can enjoy the non-judgmental love a dog or puppy can provide.
Do not let your dog ride in your lap in the car. Make him sit in his own seat or on the floor. It is unsafe for you and your dog. Buy him his own seat belt or safety booster or use a kennel. Some states will give you a ticket for being a distracted driver.
Do not baby your dog too much. He needs to learn to be a dog. Do not over-protect him. He needs to explore and learn to be independent. You do not want to raise a flighty, paranoid dog. When he acts afraid of something that he should not be afraid of, do not pick him up and ooh and ahh over him. Simply tell him it is okay, and show him the object, person, etc. Your confidence will make him a confident and dependable dog. If you feed his imaginary fears, he will become a snappy and untrustworthy dog. He may develop fear aggression. An example of fear aggression could be a dog that sits in its owner's lap and growls at people or other animals. If you pet him, and tell him "It's okay." You are really telling him this is the type of behavior you expect of him, and he will continue to do it because there is a reward attached to it. Tell him no and put him down off your lap. While some owners think it is sweet that their little lap dog is "protecting them," it is not. When a child reaches to pet the dog or hug Grandma it could bite them if it is allowed to get away with this antisocial behavior. This is a dog that has taken on Alpha position and you are a subordinate. I have seen so many children chastised when they get bitten, when it's the owner that is responsible. You will often hear people say "Now, you know Granny's dog doesn't like you to go near her. She is jealous, and protective. We have told you over and over not to do that." What a shame. And it could all be avoided if we would just take the time to learn canine behavior. As much as we would like to believe that they think like us, they do not.
If you have a problem with your dog growling at you or another family member, you may want to try having the person your dog growls at the most be the only one to feed him. You want to make him sit to reinforce your position as the leader. He is learning that he depends on you and he must obey in order to eat. And if he growls after you set down the food, tell him no and take the food away. Tell him to sit again. This is how you will reinforce the "no growling rule.''
You must never tolerate growling because this will usually lead to biting. Not always, but it usually does. So you need to nip it in the bud as soon as possible. I want to make it clear we are not talking about puppy play growling. Only growling that is geared towards aggression growling. Puppies need to be able to be puppies.
Do not play tug of war with a puppy. Play fetch and tell them to release the ball. Never be overly harsh with your dog. Use common sense.
One last thing... spend time with your dog. Play with him. Train him, and love him. Just as a child looks to his parents for guidance and boundaries, so does your dog. Sometimes we have to use tough love, but in the long run, you and your dog will be happier if you maintain the Alpha role.
Compliments of http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/topdog.htm
The main thing I want to stress is to establish yourself and the other human family members as the Alpha. Enjoy your new puppy!! They are so full of fun and personality. They will keep you laughing and wanting to show them off. They want to play and be loved.
Priscilla@EnglishBullPup.Com
Or Call 912-531-0044
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