Going to Class

Photo taken in Princeton, MN

Dear Everett,
Paisle went to class on Saturday, in preparation for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test in January. We went to a brush-up-on-your-skills-while-having-fun class.

As advertised, it was really fun! Class size was small, so we had individual attention when we needed it. All the students did so well that we were able to expand our repitoire to include some Therapy Dogs International (TDI) items, as well.

For those wondering on both the CGC and TDI, here are the basics:

CGC test = 10 steps that must all be passed to be certified. The purpose of the test is to document the dog is a confident, stable, well-adjusted pet, and the owner has taken the responsibility of providing basic training for the dog, which the dog has mastered.

TDI = 11 steps, 10 of which are the similar to the above CGC, plus one additional step. 'Similar' means the step is the same as the CGC, with additional component. Here are the 10 steps:

1. Accept a friendly stranger

2. Sit Politely for petting

3. Appearance and Grooming

4. Out for a Walk (loose leash walking)

5. Walk through a Crowd

6. Sit and Down on Command; Stay in place

7. Come when Called

8. Reaction to Another Dog

9. Reaction to Distractions

10. Supervised Separation

(Step 11 is TDI Only)

11. Say Hello (visit a patient; to be easily reached on either side of chair/bed)

The additions, to obtain TDI are:

• Dog must be tested around medical equipment to judge dog's reaction to common health care equipment. (may take place in tests 2, 3, 5, or 9)
• In test 9, dog must walk past food on the ground on a loose leash
• Dog must demonstrate confident nature around people with unnatural or uneven walking gate, heavy breathing, coughing, wheezing, or other distractions common to a health care facility.

Practice is always needed, but Beanie did really well. I took my camera and took lots of doggy photos, but no permission from the doggy owners yet to post the photos, so I'll have to stick to photos of the Bean, and me. Amanda was kind enough to take a few! Here I am sitting in a wheelchair--I guess Paisle is pretty comfortable around the moving seat.

Paisle getting treats from Tiffany, for approaching the "scary" walker:

And the best reward of all--playtime at the end of class! Beanie has stolen the Jolly Ball, belonging to Tiffany's Kilo. The rottie pup loves his Ball, and apparently so does the Bean! Orginally designed for horses, the Jolly Ball is heavy, and virtually indestructible. It self-heals punctures by reinflating when released, and the handle makes it bounce oddly when tossed or dropped. I think Beanie needs one in her stocking!

What a great way to end a good training session. Wish us luck on practicing, AND on passing the test in early January! Here's to wishing good luck to all the other pups in class too (Amanda, I know you and Paisley will pass with flying colors! If you are agreeable, I'll post the photos I took of your lovely pibble)