Jackdoodle's CGC Class Week 2

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

So JD and I started classes last week. Very small class, only one other dog who will definitely be taking the test, and two others who are nowhere near ready but are working on sit, stay, etc. I think the instructor didn't have enough people for a beginner's class and a CGC class so she combined us. I don't mind, since the class is so small and we get a lot of practice time and individual attention.

So far, Jack's biggest problem is loose leash walking; he does pull without his harness. But we are making progress. My biggest problem is remembering to do everything: hold one hand out for stay, place other hand by chin for "watch me", wait for a few seconds and keep his focus on me longer before rewarding him, keep this hand down, that hand up, etc. I am not coordinated enough to ever be a really competent trainer, lol. 

But, what if I told you he is the star pupil in his class of two? 

He is. :)

He is doing all the sit stays and down stays without his leash being held, at any distance, even the 360 thing where I have to walk around him in a circle while he stays. And his recall is perfect.

Tonight we practiced "stay with a stranger" for the first time. The other dog mom and I left the room together and she was very nervous that her dog would not do well. She was right, and she did a running commentary of what was going on in the other room: "He's going to whine",  followed by whining, "He's going to shake and move around", followed by collar jingling, "He's going to bark", followed by barking.  Once her dog got going with the barking, I heard Jack bark, one short bark, then another, clearly in response to the other dog barking.

I really believe that he would not have barked or made a sound if the other dog hadn't. Jack is kind of like "Monkey see, monkey do". I think he thought he was supposed to bark because the other dog did.

When I came back into the room, he was sitting nicely at the instructor's side. I walked over to him, and he broke his sit and came toward me as far as his leash would go, at which point she said I should have given him the "stay" signal to keep him in place until I got up close to him. I wish she'd told me ahead of time.

So now my question is, does it count against your dog during the test if other dogs in the room set up a ruckus and your dog barks, too?

And what is the dog mom version of "If Fido jumped off the Empire State building, would you do it, too?"

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Our test was held one at a time, so there wasn't a conflict about following another dog's poor performance. I think that is the way ALL tests are performed. Yours was just practice. 

I am like you, Karen, not coordinated enough to do a good job with some of the training commands.  I begin on the wrong foot, I give the wrong shoulder signal for Ned to off-leash heel, and I just can't walk and chew gum at the same time!

[Carol Brand]

Try practicing the exercises without your dog.  I know this sounds silly but it is really helpful.  Pretend you have a dog and leash and hold your hands where they will be during the test.  You can also practice heeling and making turns and stops. Have you practiced foot work at all?

 

As far as Jack breaking his sit, your instructor is wrong.  You should NEVER issue a second command.  That is the kiss of death in training because they come to expect or rely on it.  Instead, I think you should have corrected Jack back into position without saying anything and turned around and walked out again.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have not practiced foot work. But I can see the usefulness of going through the movements without Jack. And I wouldn't run the risk of confusing him with my ineptitude.