We didn't pass Canine Good Citizen:-(

[Seamus & Haidee]

We are kinda bummed out this morning because Seamus didnt pass the Canine Good Citizen test.  He cried and then barked at the 3 minute separation part.  The evaluator said he can be retested this fall. Any advice for us?

[F, Calla & Luca]

No advice here but to keep practicing. Sorry to hear this.

[Seamus & Haidee]

thank you!!

[Pat and Traveler]

Awwww....I doubt Trav would pass that part either.  :(

[Seamus & Haidee]

you never know...maybe Trav would be great!?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Pat, I never thought that JD would pass it either, but he did great. We took a prep course, and when we took the test, to him it was just another class. He really rose to the occasion. Of course, he was also 6 going on 7, lol. 

[Pat and Traveler]

Good on JD!  We'd really have to practice--Trav is such a momma's boy he doesn't even want to walk on leash with anybody else.  My bad--but we're together 24/7 and nobody else has had reason to walk him.  He will go with the vet tech into an exam room, though, which is pretty much all that's been required of him.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That was the part of the test I was most concerned about, and I discussed it in the training group. The advice I got was to practice, practice, practice. And it was excellent advice. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Haidee, here's my discussion from the Training group about this:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/trainingmindsets/forum/topics/cgc...

[Seamus & Haidee]

Thanks Karen for this link. I appreciate all the tips.

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

So sorry to hear it...  How was Seamus positioned?  Was he sitting? Lying down or standing?  Or trainer suggests that you put them in a down stay and then walk away.  It is more calming for them...It has worked with several dogs in our group...

Keep practicing and he will get it!!!

[Seamus & Haidee]

Thats good to know. Seamus was standing when we left the room.  Most of the dogs were standing when their owners left. hmm.  I will consider putting him in a down stay if thats easier on him, and less stressful.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

practice practice practice.  That is really all you can do.  While I'm sure it is disappointing to you that you didn't pass, it really doesn't matter.  The fact that you are working with him and practicing his training and behavior is the important part.  The whole thing about the CGC test is that there are dogs who are the worst dogs in the whole world that can have a good day and end up passing the test.  Then there are dogs who are extremely well behaved that just have a bad day and fail.  The fact that you passed it or failed it doesn't really matter.  How your dog behaves in public each and every time you are out is what is important.  I personally never felt the need to even take the test.  It just wasn't important to me that someone I don't even know thinks my dogs pass or fail that  test.  We did take the Therapy Dog test with Sophie, but that was taken for a purpose, not just a piece of paper.  I even think that test is stupid, as I've seen dogs passed that should not have been passed in my opinion.  But, if I wanted to do therapy work I had to have her take it.