Bulldogs World

This will be the third attempt to post this, we are having such bad winds (50-60mph) we are losing power and server over and over again.

Kippah finished her Advanced Training Class last night, which means she has taken 3 sets of classes, a total of 21 all together.  Each class is 6 weeks long, and she sat in on another class inbetween her Intermediate and her Advanced class because she misses it so much when she is not enrolled in one.

The Advanced class is based 100% around passing the CGC test.  So graduation night included a pre-test.  She passed 90%.....the little stinker insisted on laying down every chance she had during the class, but when it came to l"ay down and stay" she kept sitting up as I walked away....little poop.  But we wont have a chance to do the actual test for another 6 weeks, so we are going to sit in with another Intermediate class because the trainer needs some examples, and Kippah LOVES to go to class.  In 4 weeks she will start another Advanced class and Kippah will sit in on that until we test in April.  By then the weather will be better and we can replace class with park visits.

A few of you asked about the CGC training and test, so I thought I would include the test check list for you:

Accepting a Friendly Stranger...stranger approaces and speaks to handler, shakes hand, does not touch dog.  Dog must stay sitting next to owner and not bark or be overly excited.

Sitting Politely for Petting, Friendly stranger greets owner, asks to pet dog, pets and walks away.  Dog must not show shyness or anxiety or over excitement

Appearance and Grooming.  dog will welcome being groomed or looked over by a vet.  Evaluator inspects dog coat, ears, teeth, tail, paws.

Out for a Walk. handler is in control of the dog, dog walks on one side only, with right turns, left turn, and about turn with one stop in between and at end, dog will sit when handler stops.

Walking Through a Crowd. demonstrats that the dog can move politely through pedestrian traffic, dog may show some interst without appearing overexuberant, shy or resentful.

Sit and Down on Commands, Staying in Place, Dig responds to handlers comman to sit and down, and will remain in place.  handler walks to end of a 20 foot line and returns, Handler may choose to leae the dog in sit or down for the stay. (HMMMM actually then she DID pass, she would sit but not down....either way she still needs practice)

Coming When Called.  Dot on 20 foot line from previous test, handler walks away from dog, turns and faces dog, calls and dog comes without stopping for anything

Reaction To Another Dog, The test demonstrates the dog can behave politely around other dogs, Two handlers and theri dogs approach, shake hands, lite conversation and move on, Dogs should show no more than a casual interest in each other.

Reaction to Distractions.  Dog is confident at all times when faces with common distractions, Dog may show casual interest, but on panic, or aggressiveness or bark...items such as walkers, wheelchairs, vaccumm cleaners etc

Supervised Separation.  Dog can be left with a trusted person and will maintain its good manners, Dog will be on a 6 foot leash, held be the evaluatior while the handler is out of sight for 3 minutes.

I cannot suggest training classes enough!  At least the first two, but I would highly suggest going through Advanced training and getting to a point at least close to being able to pass the CGC.  It has been SO worth the investment!