Okay, you guys have to remember that I'm a new handler. Is BH the German companion dog title?

Not exactly.
I think the actual German translation is "Traffic Steady Dog"
It's a combination of elementary obedience, along with temperment testing.
There's an on leash OB portion, followed by off leash OB. Then a Sit Out of Motion exercise followed by a Down out of motion, which develops into the recall. Two dogs are on the field at the same time, with one of the dogs doing a long down while the other dog works.
The dogs are then tested for their reaction to someone riding by on a bike, a jogger running past you, and you heeling the dog into a crowd.

The BH test took a big hit recently when the powers that be deleted the gunfire steadyness testing, which in my eyes is a big loss. It'll help all the showlines dogs though. :rolleyes:

Will, I believe Stacie was asking about passing a CGC test to which my answer was directed-not you. I've passed it and my experience-that's it, nothing more to it. A CGC is a basic temperament test. I don't remember "bragging" about either a BH or a CGC. Looking at the exercises required for both, IMO the BH is more involved than the CGC. Dogs have failed both the CGC and the BH...not sure how that led to your assumptions regarding my dogs, their training, titles, and our breeding program. You are entitled to your own opinions, as am I. Sorry Stacie, got a bit off topic.

That's okay Trish. At least I learned what a BH title is. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think I've decided to just take the CGC and get over my jitters of being in the ring. If we pass, great!

We're, as always, going to continue working on our manners when meeting people! We were outside playing in the snow, then taking a walk today. Everyone was outside cleaning off cars and shoveling. She had a lot of people approach her, after all, who can ignore a puppy in the snow!? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Anyway, she only half jumped on one person and he was a teenager who purposley got her to jump by taping his chest with both hands. So, she met a lot of people and will still exhuberant, but didn't take anybody down. The count included 5 teenagers, 2 small children and at least a half dozen adults. Now, that could have had something to do with the snowballs stuck between her toes (remember, she's coated and has long hair between her toes). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> However, I'd like to believe that she's finally beginning to get it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

IMO, the BH shouldn't be demeaned. After all, it represents a certain level of commitment, time and effort into training a dog. It may be doggie kindergarten, but some dogs DO fail.

IMO, those more experienced in the sport sometimes take the smaller accomplishments for granted. We should all be a little more respectful of new handlers and encourage them. After all, isn't that what we're all here for? To help each other out and promote the sport? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Stacie,
If you're ultimate goal is obedience competition you may want to check out obedience fun matches. They will generally take the time to tell you what problems they saw in your performance or your dog's. It's pretty informal and you can learn alot just watching other handlers with their dogs. As far as the CGC when we took my husband's dog to the test I couldn't believe the unruly dogs that were there. During the test where you walk around other dogs one was lunging repeatedly at any dog near it. There were people taking muzzles off there dogs as they walked into the test . My stepson about lost a couple fingers after walking up to a man and asking to pet his Cocker Spaniel. The man said yes and then the dog lunged and tried to bite when my stepson reached out to pet it. It seemed to me that the only real value of the test is if you want to teach your dog to be a therapy dog or if your home insurance will give you a break on rates if your dog gas its CGC certificate.

John,
I wasn't trying to demean the BH certificate ( it's a certificate, not a title, for those that don't know ), I'm just trying to place it in it's appropriate place in the hierarchy of training, i.e., it's an entry level certificate. It's certainly more of an accomplishment than a CGC, by far.

I responded that way to another poster who mentioned that her schutzhund dogs passed the CGC. However, I went to her site, and I saw that three of her dogs have a CGC, of those, two have a BH, one has no other title. I don't consider a dog a "schutzhund dog" until it actual gets a SchH title, which the BH is not. I'm just being exact there.

And I absolutely stand by my statement that a CGC title would be *rare* on an upper level working dog with strong drives.

From the USA website: The Schutzhund Titles

The BH or companion dog title is a pre-requirement for Schutzhund titles. All breeds and sizes are eligible with the minimum age requirements of 15 months.

Will: "Any dog alive can basically pass a BH and a CGC, that's doggie kindergarden. No schutzhunder alive worth his salt would brag about a BH, that'd just be embarrassing."

My dog has a BH and HE likes to brag about it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I know that "CGC" stands for Canine Good Citizen, but what does "BH" stand for? I would like to get more info on it, and I need to know what it is I'm looking up, exactly. I want Gypsy to get her CGC certificate (is it a certificate or a title? I've heard people say both) because I think our homeowners insurance DOES offer a discount, and the BH on top of that would look good too. And in case she ever does bite someone or something, having both of those titles might help to get us (and her) off the hook because to pass, the dog has to be friendly.

Thanks in advance

Kristen. Look further up in the postings. Will already explained the BH to me.