Loa Passed Her CGC!!!
Loa passed her Canine Good Citizen test on Saturday, this was her first try - and she passed! She did really well, we are very proud of her!
http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/67822174.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1267401467&Signature=z5QSSdqt0R/BuLzBUnJJ6jsTI2o=
(This is a pic of her, and Ziggy, practicing for the CGC test)
I think this is the first female Shikoku to get her CGC, (tho I may be wrong, Himiko may have her CGC too - Jess???).
The only other CGC Shikoku I know of for sure is Ronan, he got his a few years ago.
Kris - Does Kuma have his CGC too?
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http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/67822174.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1267401467&Signature=z5QSSdqt0R/BuLzBUnJJ6jsTI2o=
(This is a pic of her, and Ziggy, practicing for the CGC test)
I think this is the first female Shikoku to get her CGC, (tho I may be wrong, Himiko may have her CGC too - Jess???).
The only other CGC Shikoku I know of for sure is Ronan, he got his a few years ago.
Kris - Does Kuma have his CGC too?
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Comments
Brad, where's the diploma pic and pic of Loa in her graduation hat? :-P
@Gen: CGC is a program that AKC runs to certify dogs as having good behavior in the home and in the community (http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/program.cfm). They test basic manners like jumping up on people, reaction to strangers, walking on a leash, etc. I've never gone through it, so I'm sure someone that has can add more.
Gen- The CGC is (in a nutshell) a test/title given to dogs to show that they are well behaved in public. Both my boys passed their CGC and it is one more thing to be proud of them for. It can also be used as the start for becoming a therapy dog team.
http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/program.cfm
Congratulations Brad
And to answer your question, no, Kuma does not have his CGC. I have debated about getting it, but the timing of the tests that were in my area never quite seemed right to fit my schedule. Since Kuma is already competing Novice level at our local matches and doing well, I didn't feel a pressing need yet to get the CGC. Novice level is comprised of off lead healing and recall exercises and a stand of exam without moving any feet, long downs and long sits, so, (in theory) he should be well prepared for all the CGC exercises. However, at some point the CGC will be done, just hopefully at a time that fits my schedule.
Someday I may try the CGC w/ Sukoshi, but for now I'm just content that she is a good citizen at the dog park and has become a "favorite" visitor at my mother's assisted living facility.
There is a program in Taos where Children read out-loud to dogs, the dogs have to be CGC and/or certified therapy dogs. Now that Loa has her CGC, Jen may try that with her. )
You are right Kris, the hard part for Loa was not jumping up on the tester to give him kisses - we worked several weeks on that. LOL
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It is funny with Kuma that when away from home if he is in "working" mode, he never even thinks about jumping up on someone. But the moment they really make eye contact and talk in a high pitch voice "here doggy", all bets are off about jumping up (especially at home).
Wiggly, licking Shikokus!
Kuma would totally fail that jumping on people test...
We may try Leila too, or Mochi.
There is an ATTS test coming up that we may take Masha & Blue to. Depends on plans and how Jen is feeling.
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Is it "more difficult" for a dog to get then CGC? ~
The CGC is more of a reflection of how well-behaved a dog is. It's considered more in the vein of a basic training test. An untrained dog would not pass the CGC because they would not sit politely for brushing, walk nicely alongside the owner, come when called on a line, etc.
Now there are people who train their dogs for the ATTS, which can skew the intepretation of the results. Breeders use it to gauge potential breeding dogs, and so they wouldn't or shouldn't be training/desensitizing their dogs to the course. However, people who own breeds that get on BSL lists might be tempted to improve their chances of passing by practicing.
The judging of the ATTS is supposed based on the breed of the dog, the background of the dog, and somewhat the age of the dog. (ie. A Sch trained rottie SHOULD be reacting overtly to a strange-acting menacing decoy. A whippet would not.)
I've done both for my Jindo and I prefer the ATTS. Just my personal preference.
In the ATTS, they can be excited to meet the stranger, there is no dog greeting, and they are tested for "protectiveness" based on their breed standard (so they would expect Blue to react to the threatening stranger but wouldn't expect a Shikoku to). IMHO, the ATTS test is a much more fair and realistic test for a dog - it is just not as well known. It also can apply to a larger array of breed.
ATTS Test:
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http://www.atts.org/index.html
I didn't see this during the day I tested, but I had heard scuttlebutt that a dog that doesn't react at all may fail. I guess this is to screen out those that dope their dogs?
For sure, there are people who grumble about the acceptance range for a particular breed when their dog fails, but I still feel this is a pretty good test for the most part. The only part I could do without was the umbrella part and how I had to talk to the umbrella as I "explored" it. :-p
Some kennel clubs voluntarily temperament test their dogs to stave off BSL. Here's an example of a Dutch one:
http://www.dogo-argentinokennel.com/pages/mental_test.htm
And very interesting about the ATTS... I had never heard of it before.