Brag: Frankie's CGC Test

[oxysback]

I know a lot of you have dogs, so I just have to brag a bit...

Frankie the Pug took the Canine Good Citizen test Saturday am and passed with flying colors! We've been working a long time on this. Frankie is smart, but pugs in general are kind of stubborn...hehe.

Next stop...either therapy or rally obedience.

I'm so proud of her!!

Here's a pic of her in her graduation cap.

[Xrayted]

Aw, Frankie is so cute in that little cap. Congrats!!

[snapdragen]

Aw, way to go Frankie!

[sundial]

Way to go, Frankie!!

So, did you take her out for ice cream to celebrate?

[LBTC]

Wow! Frankie rocks! Give her a scratch behind the ears from me, Diva and 'Cuda.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[elk]

COngrats!!! What a grand little pug!!!

But why not do rally AND therapy?!?!?!

I work in competitive obedience with 3 papillons and a collie (my teacher/coach is in Newberg)...My collie and I are also a Dove Lewis therapy team...

[divingbiker]

Congratulations! My old boy Remy was CGC and a therapy dog at a nursing home for 8 years. He loved it.

[Wahine]

Congratulations. That's really neat. I enjoy hearing these stories. I'd like to have my next dog become a therapy dog. I'm very interested in the process.

[divingbiker]

I'd like to have my next dog become a therapy dog. I'm very interested in the process.

When Remy signed up for Pets on Wheels, the volunteer program that matches pets with nursing homes and hospitals, he had to take a test to ensure that his behavior was acceptable. I had to take a training class to learn what I could and could not do (because residents would ask me to do nurse-type duties.)

The main things that I remember they tested Remy on were taking treats gently (no snapping), not freaking out at wheelchairs and walkers, and not jumping on people, ever.

[oxysback]

Way to go, Frankie!!

So, did you take her out for ice cream to celebrate?

Ha!! She'd like that for sure...but, as you can see in the picture...she doesn't need ANY ice cream. We're (both!) working on losing a few pounds.

[oxysback]

COngrats!!! What a grand little pug!!!

But why not do rally AND therapy?!?!?!

I work in competitive obedience with 3 papillons and a collie (my teacher/coach is in Newberg)...My collie and I are also a Dove Lewis therapy team...

Hmmm....why not?

So tell me about the Dove Lewis program. I've been looking at either the Delta Society or TDI to get certified through. I don't think either have tests available in the greater Portland area, though....at least it doesn't seem like it from the websites.

I'm looking for a Rally class somewhere local, also. Does your coach offer classes?

[elk]

Ellen

When you get certified through Dove Lewis, you are also eligble for Delta Society Pet Partner status. You just have to pay the fee. I loved the whole process of training with them and look forward to working more with them. here's a link: http://dovelewis.org/programs/DLAATE.aspx
The Oregon Humane Society is also offering training and certification through Delta.

My teacher in Newberg only does competition obedience...You could get on her waiting list for a novice class...she's amazing. You might try and see if Debbie Wood is teaching an advanced class. I think she was teaching at Lexi Dog in NW..small dogs only. She's a great teacher too. Also Joan Armstrong's place in Vancouver, Dog Days (I think. I can never remember the name...) probably has rally classes.

Rally is pretty easy if you have your novice excercises down...you hust have to make some left U turns and such...;-)

let me know if you need more info. Where did you take the CGC test?

e

[elk]

FYI --for others thinking about therapy dog training ...

Basically the dog has to come ready made, ie have the right temperment--rock solid, stable, has to like people and be inately gentle...can deal with surprise, equipment etc etc. it helps if they're not big lickers...You can't really train for a stable temperment.

So they say if you really want to do this work, you should get an adult dog whose temperment is formed. And breed doesn't matter much.

The training is 97% for the handler...and I'd say 97% of THAT is learning how to be a proactive advocate/leader for your dog...not a reactive somnabulant at the other end of the leash. But that's 97% of any dog training....!!!

[oxysback]

Elk...thanks so much for the link and info. I submitted the interest form for Dove Lewis and hope to hear back from them soon.

Our CGC test was part of the advanced training class at Petsmart. Sounds corny, but I liked them because they support positive training methods like clicker-training, which is my preferred method.

[roadie gal]

I do pet therapy at our local hospital with Toby, my rough collie. He LOVES it. He can be worshipped in the way that he thinks he deserves. And he gets LOTS of treats.

In my town the Humane Society runs the pet therapy program. Toby was certified in CGC, but it was with a local trainer not one of the national groups.

On the more serious side, the dog must be very stable and very gentle, especially if you're going to any nursing homes. The patients are very excited to see the dog but sometimes they aren't too coordinated and the dog gets poked in the ear or eye. The dog has to be very gentle about taking treats, too.