Thanks Beth and Katie. Yeah He does well with the other dogs on the field staying in a down and when I was working towards AKC obedience with him he was fine in a line of 10 or 12 dogs. But he see's you right in front of him there. Man, I bet that would scare somebody if they recalled their dog and here came mine too.

IMO, working on distractions with you out of sight is wise...can never have too much proofing on that...

One thing I've been wanting to do for my pup in prepping for BH is having the bell on the bicycle noise. My pup is fine with bicycles passing (now anyway--ugh!) but have not done any bell ringing with him yet...

One of the things I did with Andy as far as bikes, was have someone he knew on the bike and wearing a helmet and a hood. Once Andy understood not to chase, he got off the bike and came over and greeted Andy.

Well, yesterday we did the BH. There were a lot of people there and the judge had everyone walk together out the gate onto the road. On the road people formed a line from one side to the other shoulder to shoulder and we heeled the dog straight at them picking a spot where two people would separate to let us through. As soon as you went through the judge was walking quickly toward you and directly into the dog so that the dog would have to change direction a little bit. Then heeling in a line with a bicycle and a jogger passing next to us,then a truck honking the horn and passing from behind. Last they were tied to trees along a fence line and a dog was walked by. It was a pretty good test with that large number of people, kids and all crowding through a narrow gate. The field is right accross from a horse ranch and a girl on horseback, a border collie and a min-pin were working or something behind the dogs when they were on the trees for an added unplanned distraction. So there's a little different routine for everyone.

Steve,
Our club held it's trial yesterday with six dogs going for BH's ( DVG trial, with G. Dildei as judge ) and here is how he ran it:

After the OB portion, he had the dogs come one by one into a tight crowd and observed the dogs behavior for about a min. with us milling about the dogs in very close proximity.

The dogs were then walked down a paved road separated by about 20 feet between dogs and a SUV drove by and stopped and asked each handler for directions, then drove off.
Also while on the walk a bike rode past in both directions closely to the dog.
Finally a jogger ran by the dogs ( still on their loooong walk ) passing in both directions.

The dogs were then one by one tied out to a tree with their handler leaving out of sight and a neutral dog and handler walked by in both directions.

The judge watched the for the dogs reactions closely and commented on any perceived weaknesses that he saw ( none for this trial, all the dogs passed )


Hope that description helps......



I've witnessed well over 100 BH's by now and with the exception of maybe have the bike ring it's bell they've been pretty predictable and boring.

Congratulations on the BH Steve!

Katie

Congratulations on your BH. I know it must have been exciting for you because it the first step on your way to working titles. Norman Epstein

 Quote: Katie O'Connor

Walking into a circle of 8-10 people, stopping and shaking hands and speaking to one or two then puting my dog in a platz. Next I left the group - with dog still in a platz -- and walked about 10 feet away. The group then crowded in on her and a few actually bent over to pet her. From the crowded position I then called her to me.

I know this isn't exactly what the OP was asking for but....

I would challenge a judge if asked to do what Katie described above. Nowhere in the Traffic Portion of the test are you required, nor should you be asked, to leave your dog unattended, off leash. Remember, the Traffic portion should be done in a public place, and many localities have leash laws. Additionally, no one should attempt to touch your dog (including the judge) without your prior consent, and certainly not without you being present.
Besides all of that, I can't think of a time where I would leave my dog unattended in a Platz, in the middle of a group of strangers. That's just not something I would do.

Thanks you Katie, Norman, and Will. Your right Norman, it's exciting because this the most fun I've had with any of my dogs and now we can go on. Thats interesting John. It didnt hurt anything but I spent a pretty good amount of time preparing for that possible test.

John -- I was surprised in the portion of the test that I described that people actually did touch my dog in the crowding exercise. That is not a situation I would put my dog in EVER in real life.

Katie