Standards of SOT
Temperament Testing
🐾 Why We Use Temperament Testing at Schnauzers of Taylor 🐾
At Schnauzers of Taylor, we believe that raising puppies responsibly goes far beyond appearances. Health, structure, and temperament all matter — and temperament plays a huge role in a puppy’s lifelong success.
Temperament testing allows us to observe each puppy’s natural tendencies at a key stage of development. This is not about labeling puppies or predicting their entire future. It’s about understanding who they are right now so we can support them — and you — thoughtfully.
Here’s how we use temperament testing in our program:
🤍 Ethical Observation, Not Labels
Our evaluations focus on tendencies such as confidence, sensitivity, energy level, resilience, and handling tolerance. These observations help guide placement, but they are never guarantees. Puppies continue to grow and change with training, environment, and love.
🐶 Individualized Puppy Matching
No two puppies are the same. Temperament testing helps us better match each puppy to the right home, lifestyle, and expectations — whether that’s an active family, a calmer household, or a companion-focused home.
🧠 Transparency for Our Families
We provide families with a Puppy Personality Snapshot and a clear explanation of our findings so you understand your puppy as they go home. We believe informed families set puppies up for long-term success.
🐾 Support Beyond Go-Home Day
Temperament testing is one piece of a much bigger picture that includes early handling, socialization, positive exposure, and continued guidance for families.
At the heart of our program is this belief:
✨ Temperament reflects tendencies, not guarantees. ✨
Our goal is to raise confident, well-rounded puppies and support families every step of the way.
Thank you for trusting Schnauzers of Taylor with such an important decision 🤍🐶
Early Intervention is key!
Neuro and Emotional Foundations
🌿 Early Neurological & Emotional Foundations at
Schnauzers Of Taylor
🌿
Beginning around 10–14 days of age, just as our puppies’ eyes start to open, we introduce our 10-Step Gentle Handling Program.
These are intentional, nurturing daily interactions designed to support confidence, trust, and lifelong emotional stability.
This is not rough handling.
This is not overwhelming exposure.
✨ It is calm, age-appropriate, loving touch that gently shapes how a puppy experiences the world — now and for life.
Below is a look at what this process includes and why it matters 🤍👇
1. Facial, Head & Ear Touch
✨ Soft, slow touch around the ears, cheeks, and temples.
Purpose:
This helps puppies learn early that hands near their face are safe. Groomers, veterinarians, children, and family members will all do this someday — and this early exposure helps prevent fear or defensive reactions later in life.
2. Paw Awareness & Handling
✨ Each paw is gently lifted, held, and lightly pressed.
Purpose:
Early paw handling supports calm behavior during nail trims, grooming, and medical exams. Puppies who experience this young are far less likely to flinch or resist foot handling as adults.
3. Tail Desensitization
✨ Gentle stroking and lifting of the tail.
Purpose:
The tail is a sensitive area for many dogs. Introducing calm touch now helps reduce future sensitivity, guarding behaviors, and startle responses.
4. Mouth & Gum Familiarization
✨ A clean finger softly touches gums and lifts lips slightly.
Purpose:
This prepares puppies for:
• dental checks
• tooth brushing
• veterinary exams
✨ Puppies who learn this early are comfortable with mouth handling rather than startled by it.
5. Chest & Belly Comfort
✨ Puppies are gently turned onto their backs while receiving slow belly and chest rubs.
Purpose:
This encourages emotional regulation and relaxation in a vulnerable position — a key indicator of confidence and trust. Puppies who can relax here tend to grow into calmer, more secure dogs.
6. Gentle Elevation
✨ Puppies are lifted just slightly off the ground, always fully supported.
Purpose:
This teaches puppies that even when their environment changes, they are safe. It supports balance, adaptability, and confidence during future handling experiences.
7. Calm Stillness (Light Restraint)
✨ Puppies are gently held still for just a few seconds.
Purpose:
This builds tolerance for necessary restraint during grooming, ear care, or veterinary visits — helping puppies remain calm rather than stressed when held.
8. Texture & Surface Exposure
✨ Puppies experience different safe surfaces such as fleece, smooth blankets, warm towels, and soft mats.
Purpose:
This develops sensory confidence and adaptability. Puppies who learn early that new textures are normal tend to be more confident explorers later.
9. Supported Position Changes
✨ Puppies are gently guided through various positions:
• upright
• side-lying
• cradled
• supported on their back
Purpose:
These movements aid vestibular development (balance and spatial awareness) and reinforce trust in human handling — essential for grooming, vet care, and daily life.
10. 🤍 Our Signature “Heart Hold” 🤍
✨ Each puppy is held close against our chest while we speak softly, allowing them to feel a steady heartbeat.
Purpose:
This moment supports:
• nervous system regulation
• deep human bonding
• emotional security
• trust and resilience
✨ It is often the first time puppies truly associate humans with comfort and safety — the beginning of therapy-quality temperaments.
✨ Why We Begin at 10–14 Days
At this stage, puppies are:
• just opening their eyes
• beginning to perceive light
• receptive to gentle touch
• neurologically primed for positive imprinting
✨ Because fear has not yet developed, these experiences are absorbed as safe and comforting, not stressful.
Handled correctly, this stage lays the groundwork for:
• confidence
• adaptability
• stress recovery
• emotional balance
• strong human bonds
⏱ How Long Are Sessions?
Just a few calm minutes per puppy — never rushed, never forced.
Gentle. Predictable. Loving.
✨ Small moments now create enormous lifelong impact.
🤍 Why We Do This at Schnauzers Of Taylor
Because raising puppies is about more than care — it’s about character.
This 10-step program helps us intentionally nurture:
• confident dogs
• emotionally stable dogs
• family-friendly companions
• adaptable dogs
• dogs who trust humans deeply
✨ Puppies who aren’t just ready for a home — but ready to thrive in one. 🤍
