How can I determine food drive at 6 weeks of age?

[Mog]

Hi all!

I found a breeder that I like and I'm going to see 3 male sables in 2 weeks and will tell the breeder then which pups I'm interested in. I have 2nd choice, so have to decide on two, in case my first choice is picked first. I'm going to do a PAWS test to give me an idea as to the tempermant and drive. But I really want to check their food drive as I would like a pup with a high food drive. The breeder will make a recommendation, but I make the final decision, which I really like.

So I have two questions...

1. How can I check food drive in 6 week old pups?

2. How can I check food drive in 6 week old pups that the breeder would be okay with... most likely without actually give the pups a treat.

Thanks!

[Castlemaid]

You should let the breeder know what you expect and are looking for in your pup, and the breeder should pick the pup for you.

Since they are breeding for law enforcement and working venues, they should be the experts at evaluating the pups and placing them, instead of letting the owners pick.

[Mog]

Dont take this the wrong way, but I understand how most breeders work... I didn't ask for an opinon on how the breeder handles her pups. I'm glad that she will make a recommendation and then let me pick.

What I need to know is how can I test food drive myself, when I go and view the pups. I want to be able to test the pup myself, rather than being handed a pup based on someone elses opinion. Granted, they are the experts, but being I'm the one who is going to live with and train the dog, I want to see how he responds to me in person.

[Castlemaid]

Most breeders test the pups at seven weeks - at six weeks a pup's temperament and personality is still very fluid, and can change drastically from one week to the next.

Ask the breeder which of the pups you are choosing from is the most aggressive at getting to the food during feeding time. Usually this is a trait that shows up early on. The breeder that has been there with the litter from day one should know off the top of her head which pup this is.

The temperament tests that breeders do is away from the litter and mom, in a new and strange environment. The pup that is a little piggy at home, may be more subdued and timid and hesitant to leave the security of the tester when away from all the comforting familiarity and not show interest in the treats you are throwing about. The pup that will go after treats when separated from others with gusto in a new environment, would be showing good food drive. Also the pup that won't give up crying to get to some food when there is an obstacle in front, but will keep working and trying to get around or over to get to the food.

[carmspack]

agree "

You should let the breeder know what you expect and are looking for in your pup, and the breeder should pick the pup for you.

Since they are breeding for law enforcement and working venues, they should be the experts at evaluating the pups and placing them, instead of letting the owners pick. "

the response had nothing to do with "I didn't ask for an opinon on how the breeder handles her pups"
--- it does have to do with her exposure (hopefully) with the pups and observing them on a many times per day exposure to the pups , hanging around to see who has feeding time gusto , who plays , possesses , interactions between the pups, interaction and attraction to her and how they approach and engage with visitors .
"What I need to know is how can I test food drive myself," You can't . Not with anything that has any meaning.
" they are the experts, but being I'm the one who is going to live with and train the dog, I want to see how he responds to me in person. " So do you trust them or not . Do you want rank amateurs coming in and applying "tests" to the pups , one of the potentials being YOURS -- or do you want the breeder to safeguard them , evaluate them , and make a recommendation. You are not the only one getting a pup, and that statement goes to the other 5 people who are interested including ones who may have no chance of seeing them in person (dog shipped out).
The PAWS test -- you have to have a lot of experience in knowing what you are reading . You spend so much time assigning a meaningful "number" to the results your thoughts and attention are not on what is unfolding in front of your eyes.
here is a cute clip

Puppy Testing - Paws & People - YouTube

Puppy Testing - Paws & People - YouTube

did the test reveal anything meaningful. The dog is with the person but he is busy reading the next test to apply. Papers all over the place , at the end no papers in sight. Puppy mayhem. That is the action that day. The black and white may have had an off day . The one they picked may have over the top activity .

[Mog]

Thank you very much Lucia!

[carmspack]

but this dog " Also the pup that won't give up crying to get to some food when there is an obstacle in front, but will keep working and trying to get around or over to get to the food. " may blow you off when you don't have food to offer as a training aide , or may be distracted easily when food is available in the environment.
look for balance and personal attraction , mutual.

[lhczth]

If they will allow you to give some treats, I would put something good smelling in your hand and look for the pups that will push and push at your hand for that treat, eat the treat and then push and push again. I usually test this when I test hunt drive, but this should give you a good idea of the pups' desire to push for food. I don't want them starving when I do this either so not right after a meal, but also not right before or when they haven't eaten in awhile. Even if they won't let you give them a treat you could still put something smelly in your hand and see if they push to get to it. You could also put food under something to see if they will push to get to the food, etc, but I think just putting it in your hand should suffice.

When I tested Nike's litter we scattered some kibble in the grass and she was literally tearing up the grass to get at all of the pieces of kibble.

[jocoyn]

Has the breeder done lots of things with the puppies to "test" them out? I got a log with mine (I know most don't do that) with a list of exposures and responses - something new almost every day. These are the kinds of things she did/videos. I trusted her decision. Did not think twice about that.

despinalupos's channel - YouTube

This was one of the food/hunt things she did early on.

rezapups4weeks - YouTube

rezapups4weeks - YouTube

[Mog]

Thanks Lisa. I was thinking if the breeder preferred I didn't give them treats, maybe putting peanut butter between my fingers. Again, just something so I can see how they react.

I will be letting the breeder recommend the pup and will most likely go with her recommendation. But I just feel more comfortable being able to see it with my own eyes, if that makes sense.