CGC and Beyond!

For those who may be curious, here are the 10 tests that dogs have to complete in order to pass the CGC test. More details can be found at (http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm)

Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.

Test 2: Sitting politely for petting This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.

Test 3: Appearance and grooming This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so.

Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead) This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog.

Test 5: Walking through a crowd This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the leash.

Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place. The handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it was left until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog.

Test 7: Coming when called This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog.

Test 8: Reaction to another dog This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.

Test 9: Reaction to distraction This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark.

Test 10: Supervised separation. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness.

We recently had 2 additional greys that we sat for a dear friend. Duke was an absolute gentlemen with his new girlfriends (he is on the far right side). There were no squabbles over beds or food, and he even shared his beloved Ducky toy without batting an eye. Well, OK he did follow Ducky from room to room, but only from a distance, and made no move to get it back. To see all 4 of them running through the yard after a squirrel was quite a site! Sadly, Sydney, the white-faced fawn in this picture has recently passed, and we will miss her dearly.

Since Duke did so well at the beginning obedience, I have started him in a beginning agility class. The more exposure he gets to all breeds and sizes of dogs the better he will be. He was bit focused on a tiny toy poodle in the class, but he completed, without hesitation, all the obstacles that he was faced with. The little jumps, the A-frame and even the jumping-through-a-tire were not a problem for him. The tunnel, however, was a bit of a challenge. He can't just duck his head and go through. He is tall enough that he has to scrunch his shoulders down to even get started. But we did manage to push, pull and lure him through it 3 times. I obviously have to come up with some tastier, more irresistible treats for next week.

Unless, of course, he gets adopted! If someone would adopt him now, they can continue the agility classes with him and learn to be a team from the very beginning! Won't you give this boy a chance to tunnel, A-frame and leap right into your heart?