Campbell test

[sooty strikes back]

Came across this in a psychology report by Guisado et al. (2005) Heritability of dominant-aggressive behaviour in English Cocker Spaniels. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

Guisado et al used the campbell test to measure whether there was a dominant aggresive trait inherited in Cocker Spaniels, (this test did not invole harming the dogs in any way). They found that males were more likely to inherit dominance aggression, and by colour Gold then Black then Particolour. The Pups were 7 weeks old when tested.

The Campbell Test was conducted to assess dominant behaviour in puppies (Campbell, 1972, Rossi, 1992, Hasbrouck, 1995 and Velilla, 1998).The test consists of five parts and must be conducted at the age of six to eight weeks old. Puppies are subjected to the test individually with no other person, animal or object present that could distract them. The test leader (TL), not previously encountered by the puppy, should remain impassive and show no signs of emotion throughout the test. The five parts of the test include:

(1) Social attraction: The puppy is placed at one end of the room (or in the centre of a particularly large room) facing the wall. Test Leader (TL) quickly moves in the opposite direction away from the puppy, kneels down and claps his hands to gain the puppy's attention. Possible responses include: (a) the puppy comes readily, tail up, seeking contact with TL; (b) the puppy comes readily, tail down, makes no contact with TL; (c) the puppy comes readily, tail down; (d) the puppy comes hesitantly, tail down; (e) the puppy does not come or runs away.

(2) Following: The puppy is placed at one end of the room at TL's feet. TL walks away in the opposite direction, making sure the puppy's attention is gained. Possible responses include: (a) the puppy follows TL readily at feet, tail up, trying to play; (b) the puppy follows TL readily at feet, tail up; (c) the puppy follows TL readily, tail down; (d) the puppy follows hesitantly; (e) the puppy does not follow or runs away.

(3) Restraint: TL places the puppy on its back on the floor, holding the puppy down with one hand on its chest. Possible responses include: (a) the puppy struggles vigorously, biting or growling, tail wagging; (b) the puppy struggles vigorously, tail wagging, no biting or growling; (c) the puppy struggles, then calms down; (d) the puppy does not struggle and may lick TL's hands.

(4) Social dominance: TL holds the puppy gently around the neck with one hand while stroking backward along its neck and back for 30 s. Possible responses include: (a) the puppy rebels, growls and/or tries to bite; (b) the puppy rebels but does not exhibit aggressive behaviour; (c) the puppy rebels for only a short period of time; (d) the puppy adopts supine position; (e) the puppy walks away and does not return.

(5) Elevation dominance: TL picks up the puppy, holding it around its chest (TL places hands between hind legs) a short distance above the floor. Possible responses include: (a) the puppy struggles vigorously, growls and/or tries to bite; (b) the puppy struggles vigorously but does not exhibit aggressive behaviour; (c) the puppy struggles, calms down and/or licks TL's hands; (d) the puppy does not struggle and may lick TL's hands.

The scores on the different parts of the test indicate: (a) excessive dominance; (b) dominance; (c) balanced submission; (d) excessive submission; (e) independence or deficient socialisation. Responses on the test indicate the degree of dominance exhibited by the puppy with maximum dominance corresponding to (a), dominance to (b), balanced submission to (c), excessive submission to (d) and independence or excessive fear to (e).

[Pammy]

Sorry Phil - but I'm missing the point of this?

[sooty strikes back]

Just a point of interest that anyone with a young pup might like to play with to gain an idea as to the possible temperment of a dog.

[Pammy]

Sorry but I totally disagree. Tests of this nature should only be carried out by experienced people who know how to handle puppies. It is an experiment - it is not proof.

There's no way I can see the every day prospective owners being able to perform such tests on 7 week old pups and then able to measure the results.

There are so many variables that this type of test is just not proof enough of how aggressive a puppy might be.

I doubt any reputable breeder would advocate this and if you tried this kind of thing on their pup's it's be likely to result in you being asked to leave and you not getting a pup.

[silkstocking]

Blimey I think my breeder would have carted me off to the loony asylum if I'd tried all that in her house!!!!!

And to be honest its all a bit of a palava, I think I'm happier trusting my gut instinct, God you could be there for ages doing all that!!!

Interesting to see it but it wouldnt have worked for me!

[sooty strikes back]

Sorry but I totally disagree. Tests of this nature should only be carried out by experienced people who know how to handle puppies. It is an exopleriment - it is not proof.

There's no way I can see the every day prospective owners being able to perform such tests on 7 week old pups and then able to measure the results.

There are so many variables that this type of test is just not proof enough of how aggressive a puppy might be.

I doubt any reputable breeder would advocate this and if you tried this kind of thing on their pup's it's be likely to result in you being asked to leave and you not getting a pup.

I agree that it would be hard to conduct and probably not possible for the breeder, but it is a significant experiment, empirically tested and is about as "proof" as you're going to get. If not then Please refer to the Facultad de Veterinaria, University of Cordoba who carried out the research. As I say I put it on out of interest, as there have been quite a few posts about aggression lately.

[Pammy]

But you are suggesting that prospective owners perform this test when they go to see the pup at 7 weeks.

I'm sorry but if you can't see the flaws in that then I despair!

[sooty strikes back]

But you are suggesting that prospective owners perform this test when they go to see the pup at 7 weeks.

I'm sorry but if you can't see the flaws in that then I despair!

Please draw my attention to the exact part where I suggest prospective owners perform this test?

"Just a point of interest that anyone with a young pup might like to play with to gain an idea as to the possible temperment of a dog."

[Pammy]

But you are suggesting that prospective owners perform this test when they go to see the pup at 7 weeks.

I'm sorry but if you can't see the flaws in that then I despair!

Please draw my attention to the exact part where I suggest prospective owners perform this test?

"Just a point of interest that anyone with a young pup might like to play with to gain an idea as to the possible temperment of a dog."

you've answered your own question Phil.

The Campbell Test was conducted to assess dominant behaviour in puppies (Campbell, 1972, Rossi, 1992, Hasbrouck, 1995 and Velilla, 1998).The test consists of five parts and must be conducted at the age of six to eight weeks old. Puppies are subjected to the test individually with no other person, animal or object present that could distract them. The test leader (TL), not previously encountered by the puppy, should remain impassive and show no signs of emotion throughout the test. The five parts of the test include:

If the test must be performed between 6 - 8 weeks that must be before they own the pup - if they are dealing with a reputable breeder, after that time the test is invalid. It is flawed in that it demands the puppy is taken away from it's mother, siblings etc at a time when that is not natural. And for any prospective owner to be able to remain impassive is highly unlikely. People looking at puppies or who have just got a puppy are generally quite highly charged with excitement.

[Annette]

Sounds similar to what is otherwise known as a puppy aptitude test.

In it's most useful form it must be performed by someone who is not known by the pups. However Buddy's breeder and her two daughters who are very keen on dog training etc decided to do a modified version on him and his siblings. Just for interst, and as a rough guide.

Interestingly, Buddy came out as the most "balanced" i.e. with no tendancy to either extreme. He was also one daughter's favourite.

We (and they) didn't place much importance on it, it was a kind of fun thing to do.

Buddy is certainly pretty easy going in most situations, and seems to overcome initial fears very well.

Still not sure what Phil's point is here, except that with his interest in psychology he's bound to find this sort of thing grabs his attention.

In respect to assessing problems, I think it should be used with caution!

[sooty strikes back]

But you are suggesting that prospective owners perform this test when they go to see the pup at 7 weeks.

I'm sorry but if you can't see the flaws in that then I despair!

Please draw my attention to the exact part where I suggest prospective owners perform this test?

"Just a point of interest that anyone with a young pup might like to play with to gain an idea as to the possible temperment of a dog."

you've answered your own question Phil.

The Campbell Test was conducted to assess dominant behaviour in puppies (Campbell, 1972, Rossi, 1992, Hasbrouck, 1995 and Velilla, 1998).The test consists of five parts and must be conducted at the age of six to eight weeks old. Puppies are subjected to the test individually with no other person, animal or object present that could distract them. The test leader (TL), not previously encountered by the puppy, should remain impassive and show no signs of emotion throughout the test. The five parts of the test include:

If the test must be performed between 6 - 8 weeks that must be before they own the pup - if they are dealing with a reputable breeder, after that time the test is invalid. It is flawed in that it demands the puppy is taken away from it's mother, siblings etc at a time when that is not natural. And for any prospective owner to be able to remain impassive is highly unlikely. People looking at puppies or who have just got a puppy are generally quite highly charged with excitement.

You're obviously quite determined in your view point, to the extent that I feel reasonable debate is not possible, I did not suggest at any time that prospective puppy owners perform the Campbell Test ( which is an empirically tested and accepted measure ). However to be pedantic puppies are sold at 8 weeks? A breeder with a puppy may see the campbell test and play with a part of it? Might while playing with a puppy see if part of it rings true? I don't know? They might dismiss it? They might think some of it rings true? The point been that information is presented and considered.

[sooty strikes back]

Sounds similar to what is otherwise known as a puppy aptitude test.

In it's most useful form it must be performed by someone who is not known by the pups. However Buddy's breeder and her two daughters who are very keen on dog training etc decided to do a modified version on him and his siblings. Just for interst, and as a rough guide.

Interestingly, Buddy came out as the most "balanced" i.e. with no tendancy to either extreme. He was also one daughter's favourite.

We (and they) didn't place much importance on it, it was a kind of fun thing to do.

Buddy is certainly pretty easy going in most situations, and seems to overcome initial fears very well.

Still not sure what Phil's point is here, except that with his interest in psychology he's bound to find this sort of thing grabs his attention.

In respect to assessing problems, I think it should be used with caution!

Thankyou

[Jane S]

The Campbell Test dates from the 1970's - things have moved on a bit since then in terms of understanding canine behaviour I have read quite a bit of criticism of such tests by modern canine behaviourists because they believe that some of the tests are very stressful and the conclusions reached are flawed since the reactions of the puppy are stress-induced and nothing to do with so-called "dominance". I would never use such a test on my own puppies as I'm not convinced of their value or accuracy.

Jane

[silkstocking]

But you are suggesting that prospective owners perform this test when they go to see the pup at 7 weeks.

I'm sorry but if you can't see the flaws in that then I despair!

Please draw my attention to the exact part where I suggest prospective owners perform this test?

"Just a point of interest that anyone with a young pup might like to play with to gain an idea as to the possible temperment of a dog."

you've answered your own question Phil.

The Campbell Test was conducted to assess dominant behaviour in puppies (Campbell, 1972, Rossi, 1992, Hasbrouck, 1995 and Velilla, 1998).The test consists of five parts and must be conducted at the age of six to eight weeks old. Puppies are subjected to the test individually with no other person, animal or object present that could distract them. The test leader (TL), not previously encountered by the puppy, should remain impassive and show no signs of emotion throughout the test. The five parts of the test include:

If the test must be performed between 6 - 8 weeks that must be before they own the pup - if they are dealing with a reputable breeder, after that time the test is invalid. It is flawed in that it demands the puppy is taken away from it's mother, siblings etc at a time when that is not natural. And for any prospective owner to be able to remain impassive is highly unlikely. People looking at puppies or who have just got a puppy are generally quite highly charged with excitement.

You're obviously quite determined in your view point, to the extent that I feel reasonable debate is not possible, I did not suggest at any time that prospective puppy owners perform the Campbell Test ( which is an empirically tested and accepted measure ). However to be pedantic puppies are sold at 8 weeks? A breeder with a puppy may see the campbell test and play with a part of it? Might while playing with a puppy see if part of it rings true? I don't know? They might dismiss it? They might think some of it rings true? The point been that information is presented and considered.

A breeder with a litter of say 6 cocker pups or more isn't going to have that much time to be performing such tests I wouldnt say!!!! I know my own friend/breeder wouldn't she's like a headless chicken trying to care for them nevermind performing tests on them!!!!!!!!! It is quite interesting but I'm really not sure how much room there is for it in the real world!!!!!!!

I agree with Jane I can see that some of the parts of the test would be stressful to the pup and they wouldn't actually behave as they would in every day life. Frankly with the regard to the restraint test if you pushed me on the floor I'd probably bite you too!!!! That doesn't mean I'm dominant just unimpressed!!

[Pammy]

I just do not see the point of it Phil.

You suggested anyone with a young pup might like to play - yet the article clearly states it must be done at an age when they pup should still be with its mother and siblings.

The article says it should be done by someone unknown to the pup - thus a breeder playing with a part of it means the test is not as per the experiment and so the results cannot and should not be used as any form of judgement.

Annette mentions the Puppy Aptitude test which is a similar thing but much less clinical in its exectution.

We have to be very careful on a forum such as this that people looking for puppies are not misled by such content especially if it means they might make the worng judgement calls when consdering which puppy might be right or even not right for them.

I actually think we are having a very healthy debate on it. If you can show me categorically that this test is safe to be performed in the circumstances when our members generally have their puppies at home then I'd be more than happy to change my stance - but as things currently stand - I just can't see it.

There is too much danger of one of the unwanted behaviours being displayed and a new inexperienced owner then being worried they have an aggressive dog when they only have a normal healthy puppy who is very confused by what is being done to them - in the name of "play"