CGC, Rally, Tricks, Murphy and me

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Dogs must now be registered with AKC to be eligible for their Canine Good Companion certificate.  This is different that when Tigger and Roo got their CGCs about 8 years ago.

I would like to get Murphy her CGC and this has opened up a whole new world of fun for us.  Once I registered with AKC  I discovered Rallly andTtricks.  You can actually earn three levels in each one I think.  I don't think I will do that but we are both having so much fun with the Rally and Tricks lessons.

Rally is sort of a fun obedience.  The purpose is to have your dog be completely attentive to what you are doing when they are on the leash.  Tricks are just fun for both of us.  Murphy thinks she is so awesome.

When you have completed basic obedience I strongly recommend joining a rally and tricks class!  Fun! and keeps you working, teaching (yourself and your dog)  and forming that strong bond between dog and human.

[Stacy]

Maggie just recently got her CGC and I went ahead and registered her for a number so we could maybe compete in something at some point. You have to pay for both the number and the CGC certificate, but if you apply for both at the same time you get a discount. 

We just took our first Rally class last week and loved it! The little course was so fun. I will be the one who messes us up, I guarantee it. Some of those signs are tricky. But I really love that you can talk to them and encourage them, even during the real competitions. The instructors - and the people who know things about these things, were talking about the last level of rally and how you have to have so many points to get a title, and they were saying that to get that one, if you do everything perfect at every show you enter it would be a $5000 title. Fair warning, hobbies are expensive! But we really love taking classes and doing things together. 

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

If I do it for real,  Murphy would be fine.  No so much me.  I would definitely mess things up.  I bought a set of the cards for me, so I could learn at Etsy.  Let me know if you compete.

[Stacy]

There's a smartphone app too! It even has videos of someone doing the task on the card. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is very cool Maryann.  What fancy name did you decide upon for Murphy?

[Bonnie and Kona]

Beautiful name and significant to you. That's perfect!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It sounds fancy and perfect!   If only you two know the connection, it is still very fun.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I went with Noble Vestal's Indiana Murphy.  Pat's choice.  Nobel Vestal is the breeder and they are in Indiana.  pat thought Indiana Murphy was a cool word play on Indiana Jones, since we both liked those movies so well.  No one else will probably get it, but pat is happy.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sounds like you are having great fun with Murphy!! 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm happy to see you are enjoying Murphy-girl and the time you spend with her. So fun!