[Butcher'sDog2]

I'm interested in all examples/indications of willingness in adult dogs, puppies 2-8 months and puppies at 7-8 weeks (this can be used in selection). I am more interested in stories as opposed to tests. For example; the situation was so and so and the dog reacted in this way. I find tests to not be conclusive. For example the farmers test; the pup is picked up by the scruff and should be calm with limbs hanging down, this may or may not be related to directability as far as the test was intended but I know that the correct reaction which is for the pup to relax does not translate into directability later on. The forgiveness test may or may not be and indication of directability, I have not made a conclusion on it yet.

Here's one of my experiences with regards to directability in a pup. One of the first things I teach a puppy is to go in his crate. The first few days I pick it up and put him inside. I also put a flat collar on him and let him get used to it during this time. Once there is some comfort level with the crate and the collar I will put a finger in the collar and pull the pup in the crate. All puppies resist this at first. The willing pup will get over it within two or three days and will start walking in the direction of the pull. After 2-3 days of this I can pull on the collar and let go a couple of feet from the crate and the pup continues into the crate on his own. Another 2-3 days and I just pull on the collar a little and he goes all the way to the crate on his own. The next step is to associate a command.

A pup with low willingness will resist the pull more and more every time. As the days go by instead of getting used to the idea of being directed by a pull on the collar his opposition grows.

Do not confuse this with training to go inside the crate using food rewards. Food rewards can be used in conjunction with what I described but to use only food rewards masks the true level of willingness which is important to find out.