Dog Appearance and Grooming: CGC Test #3

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© Karin Beil via Flickr.com
Lucky Gets a Good Brushing

Thanks for joining us once again for our series on preparing your dog for the Canine Good Citizen exam by the AKC. Well, clearly I need to go back to school too. Am I the only one that noticed I completely skipped Test #3? BOL!!


The purpose of test 3 is to assure that your dog will accept a friendly stranger for grooming. This stranger may be a vet, friend, testing assistant, or groomer, and must be able to check your dog's ears and teeth, handle his paws and pads to check for cuts or ticks, gently run his hands over the dog's body to check for wounds, ticks or painful areas, check the tail, and brush the dog gently. 


Many CGC testers will allow you to bring your own brush. I highly recommend this for your dog's comfort level. He is likely to recognize his own brush if you use if often enough, and this will signal a positive experience if you have done your job to prepare him at home.


Although a long list, these procedures may be completed in just a couple of minutes and need not be extremely invasive. That said, if your dog has not been used to handling by you or a groomer, this test may made him a bit testy, (pun intended) making the test tougher to pass. He is not allowed to pull away from the tester, mouth her, bark, or show any aggression.


To prepare your dog for this test you'll need to get started now with a daily routine of simple grooming activities done by you. Gradually build up from gentle touching to brushing and checking each area that must be inspected: ears, teeth, body, paws/pads, tail.


Pads are often the most sensitive and this test will vary by examiner. Once Oliver's 6'6" tester shoved his very large thumb in between Oliver's tiny pads, eliciting a squeal of pain. This was quite a surprise as Oliver had his pads manipulated from a young age to assure he would always allow exam between his pads. Never before had he responded in this way. Obviously this reaction meant a failure of the test on that occasion. :(


Retesting with a gentler tester proved successful. If your first experience brings a similar result in only one or two tests, retesting with a new examiner is frequently worthwhile.


Preparing your dog to accept the mouth exam is generally easier than expected, much to my surprise. I have noted that each tester performed a simple maneuver whereby he held (hopefully gently) the dog's snout closed with one hand, while lifting the lips near the jaw to inspect the back teeth. I have not witnessed a tester lift the front of a dog's mouth or attempt to open the dog's mouth for a tongue inspection. I suppose this is a good safety measure.


Some dogs prefer not to have their ears handled and this can become an issue in the exam. Stroking, caressing and brushing your dog's ears on a regular basis often allows this action to become one that Fido finds pleasurable. That should be your goal in preparing your dog for this simple exam, where the tester will handle and lift the dog's ear to peer inside as a veterinarian may do.


Take your time as you practice these movements with your dog. Use a soothing voice and play soft music. Remember to treat your pup when done, if his response has been positive. He needs to associate this grooming experience with pleasure, and a treat often helps you accomplish this goal. Grooming is also a wonderful way to bond with your dog, both enjoying the pleasure of finishing up with a nice massage. Enjoy and good luck!

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping! 

Loose Leash Dog Walks: CGC Test #4

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Pleasurable Walking Companions

Continuing with our series on tips to help you prepare your dog for the Canine Good Citizen exam, today we will address walking on a loose leash. Finally we have reached a point in the test where you and your dog don't have to stay in one place. This was a great relief to me. Let's get moving.


How you move in this test will not be evaluated the way you may think. Your evaluator will be looking for a dog and handler who are walking together. In other words, the dog is not leading you.


The second criteria for passing this test is to demonstrate that your dog can walk beside you without you restraining him in that position. This means the leash will be loose and your dog will not be charging ahead, taking up that slack, dragging you along.


The key here is that Fido has learned in his training that you are leading the walk. You turn left; Fido follows. You stop; Fido stops. You get the idea.


We've all seen dogs that wanted to charge ahead and drag their owners along behind. This scenario is not hopeless, and doesn't have to be dealt with using choke chains or other collars that can be dangerous when used improperly.


Let me be clear. There are a ton of collar and leash methods and tools out there that can cause damage to your dog's trachea, neck or snout. Most can be used safely if the handler has been properly instructed. That's where the problem lies. When you go to the pet shop to purchase a new training collar, generally the salesperson is not a trainer. So there you are making a decision about your dog's training based on what you already know, as well as what you don't know. It's a common problem.


So here's my tip for this problem. Forget all the special collars unless you are working with a trainer who uses positive methods and can analyse your needs.


For now, as you prepare for the CGC, let Fido know you are totally and completely in charge of the walk with your actions. He'll get this message pretty quickly. Here's the drill:


At the door, have your dog sit as you walk out first. This establishes your new initiative: "I'm taking the lead."  When your dog begins to walk ahead and/or pulls, stop dead in your tracks. No need to correct your dog. Just wait. After a few seconds or even minutes, if he doesn't return to your side, call him there and give a gentle tug on the leash. Indicate what you want.


Repeat this process for your entire walk. Fido will eventually realize you don't intend to walk until and unless he is beside you. No corrections, no scolding, no pain. This is results oriented training and believe me, your dog will get the message quickly if you maintain this program without changing gears.


Continue this for as long as it takes to get the message across. Many dogs respond nearly immediately but regress with each new walk, until you go through the drill quite a few times. Soon it will become habit and you'll rarely have issues.


Other dogs may require a month of walks before they finally get the picture. You'll get a light bulb moment one day and suddenly your sled dog will become a walking companion. What a joy that day will be. Mark it on your calendar and celebrate it each year :)


Preparing for test day: Be sure that you take a nice long walk before the test--long enough to adequately diminish Fido's energy level. A less energetic pup will be more likely to perform this skill as required, walking beside or slightly behind you without pulling. When you and your dog finally reach this agreeable walking arrangement, you will both find more pleasure in this time together. Relish it for the bonding that it is.


Please note that our Weekly Wag's quarterly drawing will occur on July 1. Entries are made by comment about your Weekly Wag experiences at the inaugural post. You will find it easily by clicking on the Weekly Wag button. Good luck!

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping! 

CGC Test Two: Weekly Wag #26

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Oliver May Enjoy this Greeting
But it's Not Allowed on Test Two

Last week we began this series on preparing for the Canine Good Citizen exam with a few things that may be helpful with Test One. Well, let me tell you, Test Two seems so similar that many are baffled. I have to admit I was one of them.


Now that I've been through this exam with three different trainers/testers and seen the  variations in execution, I have a different perspective. First, let's talk about the test. Test Two requires your dog to sit politely for a petting. Sounds simple, right? Not so much when it came to my dogs, Tanner and Oliver. Their little butts popped off the floor the minute they realized that a human was coming to greet them. Xena was fortunate to have the calmness that comes with being 13, so she was successful when at 2 or 3 she, too, would have struggled with this test.


Some of the CGC administrators will ask the greeter to pet your dog under the chin, as opposed to leaning over your dog and patting it on the head. For many Fidos, this is an important step in getting the desired result. Don't hesitate to ask for this, if your dog is noticeably more comfortable with a neck rub than a head pat; he's not alone.


It may seem odd, but I've now realized that highly socialized dogs have a tougher time with this test than those that are a bit more aloof. Who knew?!! 


If your pooch is not one to mingle with the humans, seeking a belly rub or offering a face wash, then you are among the lucky on test day. As long as your pup is willing to allow a gentle pet without much reaction beyond pleasure (no moving away, no barking, jumping or mouthing) you're more likely to cruise through this test successfully.


Those of you with friendlier dogs may have more challenges. Tanner and Oliver, both young when they tested, found extreme difficulty in keeping their fannies on the ground and their excitement contained. This is where we had to go back to the closest pet store and camp out for more practice in calm greetings. See last week's notes on this strategy.


The other method that helped was to ask the person assigned to greet and pet my dog to avoid eye contact and approach slowly, calmly, and nonchalantly, as opposed to a well-targeted 'walk right up' to my dogs. Somehow catching them off-guard meant I got a little less reaction out of them both. You'd think they were twins from my descriptions, but they are as different as can be.


While practicing at the entrance to our PetSmart I discovered that asking a store visitor for a calm approach helped us get more success, allowing me to reward and praise my dogs for a job well done. They needed that success to begin to connect with what I was trying to accomplish. What else? More practice!


Next week we'll discuss Test Three, which relates to appearance and grooming. Be prepared to learn some new ways to get your Fido ready for a hands on test. See you next week, and remember, keep your practice light and fun. You'll be building a better bond all the way up to test day.


Please note that our Weekly Wag's quarterly drawing will occur on July 1. Entries are made by comment about your Weekly Wag experiences at the inaugural post. You will find it easily by clicking on the Weekly Wag button. Good luck!

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping! 

Weekly Wag # 25: CGC Test Number One Tips

by Carrie Boyko, CEB


Note: Test Two located here

© Mika via Flickr.com
Your Goal: No Reaction

Test #1 is "Accepting a friendly stranger". The best way to practice for this very tough behavior is to get your dog out in public frequently. Camp out at the entrance to your local pet superstore and you'll have plenty of opportunity for practice.


Here's the drill. Fido will have to allow a total stranger to approach you and speak with you in a casual way. He may not bark, jump, show extreme excitement, hide behind you or show fear in other ways. In other words, he has to stay put and shut up.


This one reminds me of that awful rule I had to abide by while a child out to dinner with my family: "Children must be seen and not heard."  Your dog may feel the same way.


For friendly dogs and puppies, this is one of the toughest parts of the test. Although it may seem unreasonable, in order to get a CGC certification, your dog will need to acquire the ability to remain calm in all situations, including social ones that may otherwise bring out his exuberance.


Tanner and Oliver, both intensely social dogs, each struggled with this practice. We spent hours greeting people as they entered a pet superstore, and I learned much about the type of person that appeals to each of my dogs. This is one of those learning experiences that does not have a shortcut. The more you practice, the more you will understand how to help your dog manage this calm distance he must project while you chat with a stranger.


Training treats when proper behavior is accomplished, along with calmly praising your dog will help him understand the target behavior. Practice cannot be overdone. Bring a chair and meet your neighborhood!



Happy tails,


Please note that our Weekly Wag's quarterly drawing will occur on July 1. Entries are made by comment about your Weekly Wag experiences at the inaugural post. You will find it easily by clicking on the Weekly Wag button. Good luck!

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping!