CGC- Sitting Politely For Petting: Update- WE PASSED!

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Hi everyone,

Ludo's CGC test is coming up on Saturday and he is not where he should be for sitting politely for petting.  He seemed, in the first few weeks of the 6 week class, to understand it and would do it for treats.  However, in the last two classes, he has not been able to successfully complete this part. I, of course, have been working daily with him over the last couple weeks to try and nail this down, but he still only does this successfully with very familiar people about 90% of the time and with "friendly strangers" it's more like 0% of the time without a treat (just when someone happens to be available and I am caught off-guard) and it's still REALLY hard for him WITH the high value treat.

I've upped the ante this week and he's getting bacon ONLY during this particular exercise and he REALLY likes it, but I am concerned that he's not going to be test ready for Saturday.

I don't know if there is anything I can do in the next 3 1/2 days-- he has no trouble whatsoever when we go to places like Lowe's with walking nicely and he really kind of shows only mild interest in people passing.  It's when someone is clearly coming to us that he wants to go greet them. His greeting is very appropriate and then he comes back to check with me-- it's the sitting until I release him part that we don't have down.  Oddly enough, we have worked on sitting and staying until I release him for MONTHS and he does it just fine-- It's just when someone is approaching us (and I'm sure it's because his entire life, people rush over to him and want to meet and pet him, so there is value for him in going to them right away).

I'm going to take him to a small, local pet store this afternoon and I think the workers would be willing to try this a couple times with me and I'm going to ask one of my neighbors who really likes Ludo to practice (I wanted to do this DAYS ago, but I just haven't seen him out).

I know that passing the CGC doesn't MATTER and that we can always try again, but I can't help feeling a twinge of nervousness as I truly believe a failure to pass is a reflection on me-- rather than him.

Do any of you lovely people have any suggestions, hints or advice on preparing him in these last few days?

UPDATE:  We passed!  Your advice was great and by test day, he had it down!! 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Good luck!

[Marybeth & Yankee]

I started doing this with Yankee before classes. Doods have a lot of energy, wish they could share it.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We grabbed people who we saw on our walks to practice as well as at the pet store or the park etc.  You are on the right track, it just might take Ludo a bit longer to master this skill.  It is him and not you if he doesn't pass this part - you have worked hard with him.  If he doesn't pass it just means he needs more time on the skill.  Relax, Breathe!  :-}  And Jane's suggestion of tiring him out is perfect!