One of the most common questions we get at SDG Goldens is whether we temperament test our puppies and match them to families. The short answer is no, we don’t. That decision is based on both experience and science, and it is something we have thought through very carefully as a program. The Problem With Puppy Temperament Testing Most temperament tests are performed around seven to eight weeks of age, often using structured evaluations like the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test. O

Understanding Puppy Play There is nothing simple about what is happening here. At this age, social play is one of the most important forms of learning for puppies. When they chase, wrestle, tumble, and mouth one another, they are building skills that cannot be taught in isolation. This is where bite inhibition is refined. When one puppy bites too hard, the other responds. That feedback matters. They learn pressure control, timing, and boundaries in a way humans cannot replica

Today, we added the puppy swing to the pen, and I love what it brings to their development. On the surface, it looks simple: a fun new toy, something different, but there’s more happening than meets the eye. The swing introduces a large moving object into their world. That movement matters. Puppies learn confidence through exposure, and controlled novelty is one of the safest ways to build that confidence. A gently swaying surface also challenges their balance and engages the