Dutch Shepherd Forum

range:

Ellie got her CGC on Monday! We had our last prep course the week before and it went horribly so I was especially worried. The room in which we take our prep classes was like a smell-fest for Ellie. There is a puppy class right before ours so there are leftover bits of cheese and junk all over the floor and immediately when we walk in El GLUES her nose to the floor. So, basically there is no way to get her to even look at me. And we're not allowed to have any treats for the evaluation...

So on the actual test day...

We waited outside until it was her turn. Practicing with treats just so she'd be in the mood to listen...
So we get in the evaluation room (the same smelly room we took the prep class in) and we go through the first three test items - greeting a friendly stranger, accepting grooming, etc. She does fine because nothing is really required of her. THEN we get to loose leash walking and walking with distractions/through a crowd. Well she did fine, but I wouldn't have passed her. I'm WAY more strict than my evaluator. She was sniffing up a storm and wouldn't look at me...I was squeaking and trying to sound as exciting as possible just to get her attention. Ugh.
Then we get to...I forgot what the "item" is called but basically I have to approach a friendly dog and handler team and Ellie has to not show any aggression or lunge towards the other dog. The evaluator's dog is supposed to be calm though, its not supposed to be a HARD thing. But time came for that test and the evaluator told the other handler to take out there dog...and from the opposite corner of the room she brings out this soft carrier thats shaking and yelping. So Ellie immediately goes into her "maybe its a squirrel" stance. HOW is she supposed to not freak out about that? So, the other dog is yapping as we approach and Ellie does a low moan/growl vocalization. She didn't lunge though. I really thought we had failed... but like I said I'm way stricter than the evaluator.

AND SHE PASSED US!


So, Ellie has a title and a lot more work to go on training.

Congrats!!! However, pls tell me what CGC is

From what you described (your commentating very funny) sounds like she did great!!!

Congratulations!!!
CGC was my first Dutch Shepherd's first certification!! It always feels awesome!

Barbara - the CGC stands for Canine Good Citizen. It is a certification offered by the American Kennel Club to all dogs, regardless of breed or registration. It consists of 10 different skills demonstrating good manners and basic obedience, and the dogs must pass all 10. Here's more info: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/

Cool, and congrats! (even if you feel it was not as well earned as could have been)

I wonder how Sugar would do?

Congrats!!!! My evaluator kept telling me to relax, I always get into trial mode.

I bet sugar would do great! Its pretty easy.

Sugar would do great! The things I expected to be hard were really easy. And then she had trouble with stuff I would never expect her to. I think it's worth it though! Ellie could care less as usual.

Congratulations! I think helping to clean up the floor should give Elle extra points for being conscientious!

I am having a hard time finding a CGC class around here...That is probably for the best since she goea a little crazy when other dogs approach....

Congratulations!

Christie M wrote:Congratulations!!!
CGC was my first Dutch Shepherd's first certification!! It always feels awesome!

Barbara - the CGC stands for Canine Good Citizen. It is a certification offered by the American Kennel Club to all dogs, regardless of breed or registration. It consists of 10 different skills demonstrating good manners and basic obedience, and the dogs must pass all 10. Here's more info: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/

Thanks Christie!! Sounds pretty neat. Something to think about at some point for Odin.

Thanks guys!

I really wanted to do it to bulk up Ellie's "resume." We have trouble finding places to rent...and this might give her a leg up. Insurance companies for apartment buildings that have breed policies usually just ban shepherds in general. Next time remind me to call her a Hollandse Herder.

Yay! Congratulations!

The ATTS test is also a good one, but not as well known. To find a test, though, you need to watch the listings all the time. They are hard to come by. atts.org

Looking at that I think my girl would do much better with ATTS than CGC... but you are right! Tough to come by~

Hey, Lauren! Where ya been?

It's SPRING!!! And I am a gardener.... So our business has been crazy busy. It is a good problem to have, but I wasn't really expecting this for another few weeks!

woohoo!