We
currently use the Obedience Personality Test (OPT) developed by Stanley Coren;
see reference below. OPT is given when the
puppies are approximately 7 weeks of age. A stranger to the puppies is used to
administer the test. The test typically takes 15 minutes for each puppy. In
our first litter, all five puppies had approximately the same score. We believe
that the similarity of scores are attributed to the intensive socialization and
handling that each puppy receives. The OPT consist
of 12 exercises. Each is graded according to the behaviors of the puppy. The highest
score for OPT is 36 and the lowest score is 12. On each exercise the puppy is
observed for aggressive or submissive behavior; the maximum combined score for
aggressive and submissive behavior is 12. The
chart on the right is the OPT score for Daphne from Hope’s first litter. (Click
the graphic on the right and a larger view of the OPT chart will pop up in a new
browser window.) An OPT chart is provided
to each new owner in their puppy packet. On
the chart above the color green represents positive behaviors and red represents
puppies that will be a challenge to train and socialize. High scores for obedience
and low scores for aggressive and submissive behaviors are good and are shown
in green. However, a puppy with a few aggressive points will be very confident
and flashy in the show or obedience ring. In addition,
a Kerry should exhibit some aggressive points to demonstrate their terrier spirit
and temperament. Puppies that score 8 or more aggressive points will be placed
in homes that can manage the personality of the puppy. The
ideal all around puppy that easily adjusts to most companion homes will have high
obedience marks and/or low aggressive and submissive marks. At Diana’s Kerries,
we call this the “Socialization and Obedience Sweet Spot.” This is our target
and objective. These puppies score 29 or more in Obedience and 8 or less in Aggressiveness
and/or Submissiveness. We use the OPT to measure
the personality of the individual puppy and litter. The information is used to
track and measure the effectiveness of our socialization regimen and as an indicator
of any genetic personality traits passed on from the parents. The information
helps us with our breeding program and place puppies in the right homes. -
Diana Thompson | 
