CGC Stumbling Block: Left with a Stranger

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jackdoodle and I have been working together, with no trainer and no set program, towards getting his CGC. I really think he could pass every requirement at this point except one: He will not hold a stay if I am out of his sight.

Now, he goes in back without me at the vet's office every other week at a minimum, and if he knows the person who's taking him, he does so quite willingly, but he's on leash and really has no choice either way. And he's moving, not staying.

But when put in a sit-stay or down-stay off-leash, he will get up immediately if he cannot see me. The funny thing is that when we're at home, he is usually not even in the same room with me, and also likes to lie on the patio out back when I am in the house and out of his sight.

I am sure that I could leave him with a stranger holding his leash, but he probably wouldn't remain seated or lying down if he couldn't see me, and he definitely would try to follow me if he could.

I know there are really no quick fixes in training, but does anyone have any suggestions? What I'd really like, of course, is to be told that he can be on-leash for that part of the test.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Our CGC class here is 8 weeks long including the test day.  Whether you choose to do a class or are training your dog on your own is a personal choice we all make.  I believe the idea behind the CGC is to provide the handler (you and me) with a foundation needed to be a responsible dog owner and shows us how to teach our dogs the skills they need to be a well mannered pet. 

For me and Charlie, it is a prerequisite as he needs to pass the CGC before he can go on to therapy training.

 

 

 

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

Thanks, Linda.   That makes total sense to me.   I'm considering taking the 4 week class here.  Thanks!

[Jennifer and Jack]

When Jack took his CGC test, that was the biggest thing I worried about. The good news is you do not have to put Jack in a stay, you can let him stand. He just has to stay in a stay if you put him there. I quickly handed off the leash to the tester and left. Jack started to make a little noise and the trainer told him something quietly,one time and he was fine.

 

I would let him be in a stand position and try it that way. Jack hates when he can not see me, hates it...I thought for sure we would fail over this, the rest I knew he would be okay, I held my breathe and off I went, three minutes later, Jack was looking for me but not so anxious that he failed.