Quote: Tanith Wheeler

The English version has a greater emphasis on training as well as temperment. It's done on 3 levels, on 3 seperate occasions - you can take just the first etc. as they are seperate titles.
The top level (in case you are interested) involves an out of sight stay, return to heel, off-leash heeling, sendaway, stop on recall and some other stuff.

Eeek! I don't need a send out till SchH1! Sounds cool Tanith, thanks for sharing.

 Quote: kelly byrd

I totally agree- if a dog can't be petted, it shouldn't pass. However, I think for some dogs (mine included) being petted by a stranger while I was walking away could make his nerves worse.

I think this is kinda the point though. If a dog's nerves get "worse" then, since this kinda is a temperament test in a way, the dog shouldn't pass.

 Quote: kelly byrd

I think it's a slightly silly thing, too. I can't think of a single real life situation where I would hand my leash to a stranger, and ask them to watch my dog.

I have had this happen MANY times in real life. Heck, even two weeks ago I had to have Steve Strom hold Havok for me (whom he had never met) for like 15 minutes. I have also been in a car accident with Quinn in the car and had to have an officer hold him while I got the crate set up. Another time I was at the park with both Quinn and Hav and there was a dog fight. The owners were too busy screaming to know what to do, so I had a guy hold my dogs while I went to help them.

Don't get me wrong, It is not ideal, but these scenarios DO happen.

Not to pick on Kelly or anyone else, but this is supposed to be a test to show that the dog is a good citizen or neighbor, not that there should be "rules" that allow some dogs to pass. Quinn does NOT like to be touched by strangers. He does not enjoy it, and only wants it on his terms. I know this about him and so used specific precautions (including telling those whom I DID leave him with to just ignore him) in keeping him. I never had him take the CGC because he was not.

Jamie, it sounds like the evaluator was a bit harsh and expected too much from pet dogs. She sounded more in line with an OB judge. Most tests are some where between the two extremes outlined. You should have no problem with it.

 Quote: kelly byrd

Jaime, do you know the tester/facility? Can you talk to the facility about the tester, and specifics of the way she/he runs the test before the actual event, just do you're aware of the details? (Since there is such a huge variation)

Great idea!!

My daughter enjoyed Havok too. All my dogs have had to be held by strangers more then once, at the vets office. A couple weeks ago I had to take Chaos to ER for a bee sting, 4 or 5 strangers handled him there.

I like knowing I can hand my dogs to someone and not worry about it.

Drift took her CGC when she was 2. It was in a park she'd never been in, with dogs she'd never seen before, an evaluator she did not know, and it was raining. As always, she took it all in stride and passed with flying colors -- I on the otherhand was a nervous wreck the whole time.

You are allowed to give commands, but not treats. The number of commands is up to the evaluator... obviously if the dog needs 50 commands to stay, then it isn't very good at that task. The evaluator allowed us to pet the dogs between tasks, but not during one.

Three dogs in Drift's test did not pass. They jumped on the evaluator several times, they were unruly, and one was aggressive.

The test is to measure how well your dog adapts to things, how well mannered it is, and whether it is aggressive to people or other dogs. I like to think of it as a "would I want this dog living next to me?" test.

And there ARE situations that may be out of your control which require a stranger handling your dog. Years ago I was in an accident with my two dogs Brandy and Ug in the car. I was taken to the hospital with a broken arm while my dogs were taken to my home by one of the firemen.

Another time my car wouldn't start and needed to be towed and I had Toni with. The tow truck driver had his girlfriend with, so Toni had to ride in the footwell in the cab of the truck in VERY close proximity to a stranger who knew NOTHING about dogs other than she liked to pet them.

Jamie, from what we know of Ryuk, he won't have any problems getting his CGC.

--Kel

CGC on next Saturday.
I am concerned about" brushed by a stranger."
He hasn't been to any classes since puppy kindergarten,he's not big on being touched, period. Any tips on how to prepare? The test is being given at a herding gathering for English Shepherds which we are attending. Sounds like he will be the only "non-'Lassie'".

 Quote: betty landercasp

CGC on next Saturday.
I am concerned about" brushed by a stranger."
He hasn't been to any classes since puppy kindergarten,he's not big on being touched, period. Any tips on how to prepare? The test is being given at a herding gathering for English Shepherds which we are attending. Sounds like he will be the only "non-'Lassie'".

Is he okay with strangers in general though? How about going to a pet store and asking the employees to help you practice? Reward for him being near the person with the brush then work up to him tolerating being touched by it.

 Quote: betty landercasp

CGC on next Saturday.
I am concerned about" brushed by a stranger."
He hasn't been to any classes since puppy kindergarten,he's not big on being touched, period. Any tips on how to prepare? The test is being given at a herding gathering for English Shepherds which we are attending. Sounds like he will be the only "non-'Lassie'".

Betty, I think they will also want to lift one of the dog's feet.
Marker train for the touch and the foot lift.
My brother got his Presa at 3 yrs old because of a divorce. He was told that trimming the dog's nails was a nightmare from every angle.
With marker training he was doing the dog's nails within a couple of weeks with the dog laying on it's side pretty much just waiting for rewards.
The dog now has his CGC, TT and is ready for the Novice ring in obedience.

Thanks Bob! Thanks Tabatha!
Will try Pet Co armed with cheese.