What are the signs of a weak nerved puppy?

[lonestarag05]

Picking my puppy out tomorrow at 5 weeks. Dont think I will be able to tell but any heads up things to look for would be appreciated.

[Rerun]

A good breeder won't let you "pick out" your puppy. They should be picking it out for you and they should be doing the temperament testing as an experienced breeder when the pup is older.

[SchDDR]

A puppy that repeatedly shies away from being petted.
A puppy that does not recover quickly from being startled by a loud, sudden noise.
A puppy that barks or hackles at a strange person or inanimate objects.

Any puppy that seems significantly different in behavior from it's littermates is one that you want to be concerned about. Being the same age and having the same general experiences, they should seem similar in behavior. A dog that behaves different is probably evidencing some genetic temperament or drive differences.

This could be either good [the best pup in the litter] or bad [the nervy pup in the litter]; either way, it's important to take note of any pups that "stick out".

[onyx'girl]

Why are you picking your pup out instead of letting the breeder do it? Puppy temperament testing should be done no earlier than 7 weeks and at that time the breeder should have someone do it that doesn't know the pups so it can be unbiased. Then the breeder can look at the assessments and match the right pup to the right buyer.
This link may be of help, and I would hope the breeder is familiar with it:
Volhard Dog Training and Nutrition: Behavior and Training: Behavior

[GSDBESTK9]

WOW, YOU are picking out the puppy? AND at 5 weeks??? Can you say Back-Yard-Breeder?!!!! If I were you, I would run from this "breeder".

[Verivus]

I don't think there is much you can really tell at their age right now and honestly, the breeder should be the one doing the picking because they've been living with the puppies the entire time and will know the pups better.

[lonestarag05]

Originally Posted by GSDBESTK9

WOW, YOU are picking out the puppy? AND at 5 weeks??? Can you say Back-Yard-Breeder?!!!! If I were you, I would run from this "breeder".

She is not a BYB. Matter of fact, she heads the Houston GSD association. She's narrowing it down to 3 and im picking from there.

[Freestep]

At 5 weeks, it can be hard to tell. Usually 7 weeks is the time for temperament testing. At what age do you get to take your pup home?

[lonestarag05]

Originally Posted by freestep

at 5 weeks, it can be hard to tell. Usually 7 weeks is the time for temperament testing. At what age do you get to take your pup home?

8 wk

[DJEtzel]

Originally Posted by lonestarag05

She is not a BYB. Matter of fact, she heads the Houston GSD association. She's narrowing it down to 3 and im picking from there.

Final temperament testing should not be done by most good breeders until closer towards the 8 week mark. They just can't know enough at this age.

I don't care what she heads, I would still run away!