Grover will never get it. He is startled by EVERYTHING. http://www.weddingchat.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gifI hope he'll start to grow out of it someday...!

Thanks for the great description, Net. I've never really known the details before!

Julia

Hope that is the information you are looking for. Good luck if you get Briggs tested, he's so close to the TDI title! They'll run him through all the things he needed to know for his CGC test and add the therapy specific things as well. Good luck!

Hopefully in the future I can get Monty in something like this to. He's so laid back. Today he spent the day at my mom's elementary school (bulldog mascot). He was in 7th heaven. He did exceptionally well with the handicap children there. Just laid on the floor and let them pet and kiss away. Again Great Job!

Mainly, a calm accepting dog. Not one to jump on strangers, he must go up to the stranger (tester in this case) in a friendly manner, not hyper or aggressive. The handler must also be able to greet the Tester while the dog sits nicely at the handlers side. They must know all their basic obedience: sit, down, stay, sit/stay, down/stay, come when called (my two did it off lead), heel nicely on lead while making turns/stops as per testers instructions. They must accept a strange dog (the "sacrificial" dog for this test was a HUGE 200lb Irish Wolfhound) while the other handler and the testee's handler greet, shake hands and exchange small conversation. They must be able to walk by food that is laying down on the floor (this was quite comical because Spike wanted it and made it very clear he wanted it, but he did "leave it" as instructed and got alot of laughs from everyone), they must be able to walk in and around wheelchairs, walkers and crutches without jumping up on the people in them or being spooked by them, they are allowed to greet the people, just not jump. We had volunteers for this part of the test. They must not be startled by loud noises (they simulate a food tray being dropped on a tile floor). Of coarse, since Spike doesn't hear, he had no problems with this one. And they must remain calm during a timed separation from the handler. During this time, they stay on lead with the Tester. They must also allow their paws to be touched, face, groomed etc.

That's all I can think of. The comment the Tester put on Spike's form was "so very calm!" and that is him, nothing fazes this dog. My Greyhound got the comment "fun guy, very sweet" which he is more bubbly but not to the point of being hyper or jumping on people and not listening.

I worked with Spike at home, teaching him hand signals. Truman (my Grey) went to 10 weeks obedience with other Greyhounds.

Thanks Everyone for your well wishes! I'll post about where they start "working" when the time comes

interested in hearing what it entails... I'm hoping little miss Leeloo can do this too when she's ready.


- Cristina (& Leeloo)
"the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

What a huge accomplishment... definitely worth bragging about! Here's wishing you many more success stories with Spike!

You must be one proud bully mama!!!!

that is absolutely awesome....
I am so proud of you ..and your long legger...grin
I knew you were one very very smart fellow..when you taught MoJo how to deal with...those long leggers...chuckle
Nettie hats off to you ...you are wonderful!
this took alot of work and love on your part...you should get a reward or tropy too!smiles ..and hugs..amd many congrats!!!Ce and the yelpx6 gumbo gang

I would be proud too, I think its great. I only wish my bad boy could even come close.

n/m

Briggs has his CGC too, but it took alot of work, as he is easily distracted and for this reason I socialize him constantly. But it was a great feeling! So what was the Therapy Dog test like? I have been to their meetings and want to do it with Briggs but he sometimes gets shiny-floor0phobia, and so have been waiting and working on that. I'd be interested to know exactly what they asked of you and Spike? Did you encourage him to jump up on bedsides?

Great job!

they can be startled by the commotion, but they can't spook or freak out or get all weird because of it. A normal startle reaction would be OK, they just need to make a quick recovery. Hope that's clearer. You can practice by banging (lightly) stainless steel bowls together near him, that's what was done in class.

congrats

liz

.

goes with Leeloo and if she'll ever be ready. Hard to tell since she's just 10 weeks and a little fire ball. Hee hee.


- Cristina (& Leeloo)
"the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

I'll bet he will be extremely popular in nursing homes and schools for the deaf. Congratulations on a remarkable achievement.

and good vibes!!! Go Lincoln, you can do it too

How great that he passed. It sounds like he has a great personality.

Yeah, Grover's only two. And while he's relatively well-behaved, he's still in that "I'm a bully - I crave attention because I'm the cutest darn thing you've ever seen - hey, why aren't you petting me?!?!" stage. He'll take out my 275 lb (ex-footballer stature) husband with an excited greeting.

So I'm really hoping we'll be able to look into it in a couple of years!

I can't wait to hear stories about Spike's visits. I think it would be so special if he could work with deaf children. And adults, of course. Wow. What an amazing story. I'm going to insist when you start, you contact Animal Planet!

Julia

I have to send the paper work in that says he passed and get his records from the Vet that shows he's up to date with everything. So I probably can't bring him anywhere until that gets sent in along with his photo (I'm sure I have plenty of them lying around, LOL!) and he'll get an ID card and a "therapy dog" ID tag, then I can bring him where ever he is "needed". I'd like to get him meeting other deaf people or working with kids.

My Grey will do the nursing home rounds. I don't trust him around crowds of kids the way I do Spike.

Is Grover young? You might be able to work with him more as he gets a little older and calms down. I had a much harder time working with my Grey because he's such a spazzz.

That's such great news, Net! You should be proud! I'm so JEALOUS! I don't see CGC or TD in Grover's future... ever.

So can you start taking him places? Is there a program you sign up for? I just love seeing therapy dog stories on K-9 to 5...

Julia

n/m

You and him are lucky to have each other!
Emily

Spike was in a terrible state when he was found as a stray. 35lbs (he's now a normal 62lbs), terribly infected and injured ears and near death. He spent months in the hospital and had surgery on his ear, but it left him deaf. I've had Spike for 10 months and he still goes to the Vets monthly for one thing or the other, but he's come a long way. He was the calmest, most laid back dog during the test and everyone loved him. Even all the Greyhounds liked him and Spike just did everything perfectly in such a laid back manner, it was pretty amazing considering he had no formal training other than me working with him a little bit at home
He's a really special bully

Good for you .

I can't even get my dogs to sit still....LOL

Sue

What a huge accomplishment! WHOOPIE!
BTW, I didn't know he was deaf.

Emily

You must be so proud of yourself, Spike and your Greyhound. Good job!!

Now you are going to have to dedicate wall space for their diplomas.


Lynn K

good job

Jacob Jessica

& Lincoln

Buy your Bulldog Decals

That is so neat to hear, and to be able to let other people see that Bulldogs CAN do this stuff. That is great. Congratulations