Saturday, June 30, 2012

Know the rules

We failed.  Again.   And the greatest failure/frustration is mine, in that apparently, I'm completely unaware of the standards for the CGC these days.    One tight leash anywhere = fail.   I was unaware that the CGC holds higher standards than either Rally or Novice obedience.   I owe Fizz an apology for misunderstanding the test, and for entering her before she was ready.  The failure is mine, completely.

Fizz did a much better job on all stations.   She sat while the friendly stranger approached, shook hands and talked.   The stranger left, Fizz stood, I told her to sit, and she did.   She failed, b/c she didn't maintain her sit.   I was surprised to see this 'fail' b/c she did sit the whole time we were greeting.  For greeting the stranger, in which the stranger pets the dog, she was perfectly behaved, and equally so for the grooming/foot/ear inspection.

On out for a walk, we were fine through most of the heeling pattern. Good attention, a nice right turn and a perfect sit on the halt.    In one corner, some sort of smell grabbed her nose.  She had a tight leash, I called her to come with me, she did and we finished up with a great about turn, 2 more lefts and a fantastic halt at the end.   We failed b/c of the single tight leash.   You can earn a CD leg w/ tight leash....you lose points, but you don't fail.   I find this aspect of the way CGC's are being administered absurd.  One tight leash does not an out of control dog make.   But apparently them's the rules (and I wasn't aware of their stringent nature).

Sit and down on command were fine, as was the 'stay,' and the come when called.  I even got a nice straight come with front sit (we've sort of been working on that).  :)

Crowd with distraction was fine, even though they were bouncing a giant exercise ball, I was able to keep her with me and moving on (I know she was dying to play with that ball!).  The two dogs that I 'helped' with, by being part of the crowd, did not have that ball. 

Greeting another dog.  Fizz sat, held her position and we exchanged pleasantries.   As we went to leave, Fizz crossed in front of me and we failed.   She didn't get anywhere, I had her on a very short leash, and she didn't greet the handler or dog, but the fact that she even approached = fail.

I was very happy with the improvement in Fizz's behavior/performance.   She gave me some lovely heeling on the walk, held her sits when I asked her to, and was a good girl around the other dog and the big bouncing ball.

We will not be re-attempting the CGC anytime soon.  I was unaware that I need a fully obedience trained dog to pass this test.   In the past, that is NOT how they've been administered (I've put CGCs on 6 dogs, never with a failure).  However, the standards have apparently changed, and now I clearly understand them.    I do not have the money to take CGC prep classes (they're offered around here....for $150-180).   I don't have the money to do $25/wk drop in classes to practice greeting other dogs (and not the same dogs we always see in class).  

In the past, I have tested all of my dogs between 7 and 9mos of age.  They've been judged on their temperament, their behavior and the level of control they demonstrate (to handler).   Because THAT is the standard of the CGC that I've known since I did my first one in Dec of 1996, that is why I entered Fizz in April, and now.   For April, we were ill-prepared.   For today, for the standards of testing that I've known for the past 16yrs, we were ready.   I am disappointed in myself for not understanding the rules of the game and for setting her up for failure.    We will not be attempting this again any time soon, as our heeling is not formalized, and I don't see how you can pass these days without competition ready heeling.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Recallers saved me $46.50

Yesterday was the consummate 'perfect' summer day:  sunny, warm bordering on hot, and when you're out in it all day....it tends to make thinking less than optimal.  We were at the Mason's Grandmaster's Fair for the day in Charlton.   It was just lovely, kids had a blast and we came home ready to rehydrate and rejuvinate.  

I let the dogs out individually to potty, hit the grocery store, and then came home to find hubby/kids still at the local lake cooling off.  Perfect time to go for a quick run before working on dinner.   By the time I got back in, it was around 6:30.   Vik was still loose in the house as I'd left her, and Fizz was chillin' in her crate.    While I was prepping dinner, Fizz started squeaking.   She's on the recovery side of a UTI, so I didn't let her languish for too long before sending her outside.  

Having all the green beans picked and the salsa chopped and flavors melding, I thought it would be a good time to get the chickens out to free-range a bit.  Typically, they come out in the evening after the dogs have had time to be out and running about.   As it gets dark, they put themselves away in the pen (or even up into the coop) and then we close them for the night.

I grabbed a small handful of kibble, and called Fizz through the open screen door.   My normal voice, my normal call, nothing special.   At that point, hubby shouts "the chickens are already out!!"   Epic fail in household communication now coming to light.   And Fizz has been outside for at least 20min, with chickens.   This is the moment when you're torn between the dead sprint to assess the damage and wanting to hide under the covers and wish it all away.  

Meanwhile, Fizz, who went through Susan Garrett's brilliant Recallers class as a very young puppy, came at a dead run to the first call I'd given her.   Not knowing that chickens were loose, or the emergent situation present, I had simply called her.  Once.   And she came, at a dead run, tail up, happy to see me (and NOT a feather or blood spot on her!).   She's currently 9.5mos old.....in the "teenage" period where some trainers claim that dogs become less responsive, more wanting to check out their environment and surroundings.  Thankfully, we have relationship to pull us through that!


After I got Fizz put away, with HUGE praises from me for coming, and her kibble rained into the top of her wire crate for a fun game of 'get it!'......I went to assess the damage. The Bigs were just coming out of their side of the pen, none looking worried or trying to huddle/hide (as they did for days after the hawk got into the pen and killed one).   Quick count of 5 (correct number!) and no obvious piles of feathers.......they seemed ok, and not traumatized.   

Where were the Littles???   None in sight, and couldn't hear them.  But since none were evident, I figured they must be hiding somewhere together........and hopefully still numbered 5.    As I circled the koi pond garden I started seeing movement under the bird-planted sunflowers.   2 Wyandottes......1 black sex-link.   So far, 3 of 5.   The Araucuna soon showed up, and then there was only one black sex-link to find.   She was apparently off on her own adventure and came to see me when I called "chick chick!"     YAY!!!!   All 10 chickens accounted for, no one seeming traumatized or missing feathers.   Truly, I was in disbelief at how well this had turned out.

Recallers is so  much more than teaching your dog to 'come.'   It's about relationship.   It's about trust, about being a team together.   A dog learns self restraint through "It's Yer Choice," and not to simply self-serve rewards when available.   I am ever-thankful to Susan for this amazing class, and beyond a doubt, I think that it saved my chickens (whom we sum-total paid $46.50 for).    Fizz has lots of prey drive, its what I like in my working dogs, and what I hoped for when I chose her pedigree/breeding/litter.     Fizz has recently demonstrated very strong herding instinct.   In learning from various judges and instructors, the ability to call a dog off stock is based in large part on relationship..........between handler and dog.    Recallers has given us relationship in spades!!!

For any who are interested in the class, I can't recommend it highly enough.   You'll learn insight into the hows/whys of training, and gain so much more than just 'come.'   You will build a strong relationship, and show the dog the value of correct choices.    And I will continue to look forward to our first batch of "homegrown" eggs!! :) :) :)