Socialization, Temperament Testing, and Why It's Important
At Red Stick Kennels we work to ensure your puppy has the appropriate socialization in the first 8 weeks prior to going home utilizing the Puppy Culture Curriculum. At 7 weeks of age all of our puppies undergo Volhard Aptitude Testing, allowing puppies to be placed in the proper home based upon temperament first and personal preferences second.
Week 0–2: Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)
Within the first few days of life, our puppies begin ENS—simple exercises shown to improve heart rates, stress tolerance, and resistance to disease. Studies by Dr. Carmen Battaglia (2009) showed that puppies receiving ENS had:
• Improved cardiovascular performance
• Stronger adrenal glands
• More tolerance to stress
• Greater resistance to disease
Week 3–4: Startle Recovery
& Environmental Exposure
Puppies are gently introduced to new sounds, textures, and environments. This is when we begin “startle and recovery” exercises—helping them become confident in the face of the unexpected.
Week 4–5: Problem Solving & Manding
Through early enrichment games, puppies learn to think and problem solve. We also teach “manding,” a polite way for puppies to ask for attention by sitting—replacing jumping or barking with calm, voluntary behavior.
Week 5–6: Socialization & Emotional Resilience
This critical period is all about shaping healthy emotional responses. Puppies meet a variety of friendly adults, children, and safe animals, and they experience gentle handling, grooming, car rides, and short vet-style exams to build positive associations.
Week 6–7: Learning to Learn
We encourage curiosity and reward calm exploration. Puppies practice crate time, short leash walks, and basic clicker work. This week lays the groundwork for future training and bonding with their forever families.
Week 7: The Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test
At seven weeks, we assess each puppy using the Volhard Puppy Temperament Test—a widely used system to match puppies to their ideal homes. The test evaluates key traits including:
• Social attraction and following
• Restraint and handling tolerance
• Response to new environments and sudden stimuli
• Prey drive and retrieving instincts
Each test is scored on a scale of 1 to 6, helping us gauge confidence levels, energy, adaptability, and potential suitability for therapy work, service dog training, family companionship, or active lifestyles.
Why This Matters
Research supports the importance of early experiences in shaping a dog’s lifelong behavior. According to a 2019 study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, puppies who received structured early socialization and enrichment:
• They were significantly less likely to develop fear or aggression toward people or dogs.
• Had fewer behavioral issues by 12 months of age.
• Showed greater trainability and emotional stability.
And the Volhard test? When paired with professional observation, it’s up to 85% predictive of adult personality traits, giving families a confident start with a puppy whose temperament matches their needs.
The End Result? Happy,
Healthy Puppies Ready to Thrive
By the time your puppy comes home at 8–9 weeks, they’ve experienced a world of positive learning moments that set the stage for lifelong success. With a strong foundation in Puppy Culture and individualized insights from Volhard testing, your new best friend is ready to become a confident, connected member of your family.