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!! 

[Marybeth & Yankee]

I know exactly where you are coming from, I think it is just the "doodle" friendly personality kicking Into overdrive!! Good Luck.

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

I think you're right!  Thank you :)

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

He sounds like Roo , only much much better.  Roo is just so happy to see people he cannot contain himself.  To pass the CGC we worked like crazy on "Wait" with the flat hand signal right in front of his nose.  I also put a gentle leader on him which seemed to really make a difference.

Don't worry if you have to take it more than once.  Tigger passed it easil, hasn't had nearly as much work put into him, whereas for Roo it was a struggle for the same reason as Ludo, but Roo is now my absolutely compliant dog, Tigger, has a poor recall to this day and counter surfs like a pro.

Good luck

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Thanks.  I might try the flat hand in front of his nose and see how he responds to it.  Thanks for the encouragement too :)  He's a great dog and the title doesn't matter to me at all, I just don't like to watch him (or me) struggle without being able to easily correct it.

[Kamela & Beckett]

How old is Ludo? Beckett is just shy of a year old and gets really excited any time he is approached. We ask people to back off and wait for him to sit, but he always initially wants to jump to greet new people. We have not attempted CGC yet due to this and him still being very treat oriented. He will do things for treats, but often won't if you don't have treats (or pretend like you do which I don't like to do). Any suggestions for transitioning a dog who is very food-oriented to perform without treats?

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Ludo is EXTREMELY food oriented!  Actually ONLY food-oriented! Lol.  He's 10 months old this weekend and we've been working for a few months on transitioning out of treats.  Basically, once they sit (or whatever it is you're asking them to do 100% of the time with treats, I started only giving treats randomly or I would skill-stack, meaning that he didn't get a treat for sitting, he might have to sit, shake and then stay while I walk away in order to get a treat-- In other words, as they show competency, make things harder for them and start rewarding with other things. 

I struggled with the rewarding with other things because Ludo really ONLY likes food and doesn't get excited about playing, but our trainer basically said, everytime your dog shows interest in wanting to do something (maybe he brings you a ball) he is TELLING you what will motivate him at that moment... so ask him to sit before you throw it.  Does that make sense?

Going into the class, I actually really was not anticipating that he would struggle with any part of it because in my own home-assessment, he was able to complete all the portions. I felt like the class was more of a formality... I was proven wrong :P 

[Emery & Watson]

Maybe you can ask to stand by the pet store entrance?  That way you can work on Ludo's sit and stay with people seemingly walking towards him but not necessarily actively coming to engage with him.

I also think some of the pet store workers would be willing to help.  Its hard to say no to petting a cute doodle puppy.

When I was training Watson for the CGC, my trainer told me to leverage my voice and keep him engaged with what I was asking him to do by continuously saying things like "good boy, good stay, good sit" which seemed to help him keep focus

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

The continuous talking is DEFINITELY something I can utilize more and I think if I can get his attention from the get go, I'll be able to keep his focus on me.  The problem will be if I have to try and get his focus back on me once he's paying attention to the "friendly stranger".  

And I love the idea of standing at the entrance without people approaching to kind of desensitize him to people walking towards us.  Great idea!

Thanks so much!!

[Barbara Brian]

I think going to the Pet Store is a great idea. Stand outside with him and ask everyone that comes up to pet him, explaining why. Our CGC class included the requirement for them to sit by our side while we said 'Hi how are you'.
You might be pleasantly surprised when test day comes. I bet he will do great.

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

I think I'll definitely do the pet store.  It didn't happen today, but he practiced with my neighbor and with my cousin who he hasn't seen since Christmas and he sat perfectly for both of those... of course, it was heavily treated and I sat him up a little bit asking him if he "wants to do his trick" so he knew we were in training mode-- I think that might be a good thing for test day for him... asking if he wants to do a trick.  

I have heard that dogs often surprise us in a positive way when it really counts.  I just want to do whatever I can to help him be successful. :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

There is one thing you can try on the day of the test if you're still not sure that he'll be okay with the sitting for petting exercise...it's "cheating" a little but my trainer told me that it often works well.  You basically exhaust him....walk and walk...play fetch...run off leash if you have a safe place.  Then when they're tired you take him to a place where people are coming and going...stand outside and have him sit (with rewards) while people coming and going greet him until the novelty wears off.  Then you take him to the exam....In effect you're "super proofing" right before being tested.

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

You know, before every class, we take about a 2 mile walk to get him worn out, then we go to a little hardware store that is pet friendly and right next door to his class, so in some ways, I've been doing this already... However, my Saturdays are typically pretty busy, so this Saturday, I think I'll make it all Ludo and do just what you suggest... walking, playing, running and REALLLLLLY wear him out :p