Prepping for the CGCA and proofing general obedience

[remy]

I’m so glad I’m not alone in this…makes me feel better that it’s a work in progress even for experienced Doberman owners.

I’m going through the same thing! He never had any interest in other dogs, but I can tell he is more aware of them while out in public now. Unfortunately he now gets sort of reactive at the dogs near my house (even though he’s met the dog lol), so that’s something we’re working on.

 

[okaygreatthanks]

I’m going through the same thing! He never had any interest in other dogs, but I can tell he is more aware of them while out in public now. Unfortunately he now gets sort of reactive at the dogs near my house (even though he’s met the dog lol), so that’s something we’re working on.

It’s interesting how those behaviors do seem to crop up suddenly once their hormones start kicking in. I think it was around 6-7 months when Remy became fascinated with patrolling our yard, watching out the windows, and giving alert barks when people and dogs would walk by.

Good on you for noticing his change in awareness of other dogs and getting ahead of it!

 

[okaygreatthanks]

You've taught "leave it"? Use that command the instant he gets fixated. The INSTANT he holds a stare for more than 2 seconds is fixation, that's when to correct (little leash pop to get his attention, "leave it", and keep walking). If you wait 5 seconds his adrenaline has already shot up and now you are having to shut down drive instead of just a stare.

We’ve been implementing this advice all week, and I wanted to let you know that it has helped GREATLY! You were spot-on about the importance of timing the correction.

Remy was able to ignore several other reactive dogs in very close proximity at Barn Hunt this week, and has been much more neutral on our walks — it’s made it easier to recapture focus since his interest in other dogs isn’t escalating like before. I’m hoping that after another month of proofing this behavior in the prong, we’ll be able to move to a flat collar and test for his CGC.

Thank you so much!

 

[Ravenbird]

I wanted to let you know that it has helped GREATLY! You were spot-on about the importance of timing the correction.

I'm so happy you're making progress. Keep on training, you're doing great!

 

[remy]

Bringing this thread back up since I’m hoping to try for Remy’s CGCA and CGCU eventually! I know @Katyusharocket is working on that too.

I want to practice more walking in public spaces (outside of a class setting) on a flat collar or slip lead. Ever since he started wearing the prong I always use it in public, even though it’s more of a safety net 90% of the time. We mostly use the slip lead at shows and he does okay on it, but I also keep it quite short so he doesn’t get in anyone’s way.

Looking at the test items for both tests, I think the only thing he would need more work on is this for the CGCU: “Ignore food on sidewalk. (Dropped food, or cups, bags, cans, in which food was wrapped).” I know he’ll leave the cups, bags etc alone with a “leave it”, but I think he’ll definitely attempt to get the food lol.

I saw I commented on this thread when he was 7 months old saying he was becoming more interested in other dogs. He doesn’t really care now and even napped while at the dog show (not while in a crate) lol.

 

[Katyusharocket]

I want to practice more walking in public spaces (outside of a class setting) on a flat collar or slip lead. Ever since he started wearing the prong I always use it in public, even though it’s more of a safety net 90% of the time. We mostly use the slip lead at shows and he does okay on it, but I also keep it quite short so he doesn’t get in anyone’s way.

You just touched on an unanswered question I've been wondering about. So, for my experience, front hook harnesses were not allowed "to be used" for K's CGC. But, if she were to have worn the harness and given me better behavior because it was there, even though I had her hooked to a flat collar, where does that come into play with evaluator rules? Any evaluators or anyone else please speak up on this! If Remy gives you better loose leash because the prong is there, even though he's not hooked to it.... I would love to know the answer to this.

Looking at the test items for both tests, I think the only thing he would need more work on is this for the CGCU: “Ignore food on sidewalk. (Dropped food, or cups, bags, cans, in which food was wrapped).” I know he’ll leave the cups, bags etc alone with a “leave it”, but I think he’ll definitely attempt to get the food lol.

Lordy this is a challenge for Katyusha! I was walking her and got in a conversation with an acquaintance who I talk to maybe once a month. I explained what we were trying to accomplish about walking past food. He pointed out that there were spilled French fries 15 feet up the sidewalk and he told me "I'm gonna watch you guys go past there." Now, for Katyusha on a leash, (right or wrong) she knows that if I say "good girl" in a kind of hushed voice, she's getting a treat or maybe several. So, we went walking by those French fries and I used the most hushed "good girl" I could, repeatedly, and that really intrigued her. She made eye contact and looked at my face the entire way past until the fries were no longer a factor. I looked back and the neighbor was smiling huge with a heartfelt thumb up for us both. I guess my point is, think about the things unique to you and Remy that really make him look for eye contact and use the tar out of them on his tests. Also, I've never seen a rule that says you can't bring a turtle along to the test

 

[Ravenbird]

The little club here mentioned trying to do a CGCU, but they have to find a building and figure out some logistics. We have an evaluator, but we've never had the U level, so maybe I'll get a chance to do that later this year.

You can find all the rules on AKC, but I know prong collars are not allowed at all, I think harnesses are, but not the ones that restrict movement. Honestly it's just good to present them in the collar so it looks as if you don't need the extra help. Since neither of you have reactive dogs I don't think you'll have any problems. It's a very basic test, especially after you've worked on the steps, and you know your dogs personality - what might tempt one to go wrong and how you'd prevent it!

 

[remy]

So, for my experience, front hook harnesses were not allowed "to be used" for K's CGC. But, if she were to have worn the harness and given me better behavior because it was there, even though I had her hooked to a flat collar, where does that come into play with evaluator rules?

When Remy took his CGC test there was a dog wearing a harness. I’m wondering if rules have changed or maybe your evaluator just preferred she wore a collar?

Lordy this is a challenge for Katyusha!

I feel your pain haha.

I guess my point is, think about the things unique to you and Remy that really make him look for eye contact and use the tar out of them on his tests. Also, I've never seen a rule that says you can't bring a turtle along to the test

This made me laugh! If I could get some turtle scent on the left hand, he’d probably do the best focused heel ever!

 

[Katyusharocket]

When Remy took his CGC test there was a dog wearing a harness. I’m wondering if rules have changed or maybe your evaluator just preferred she wore a collar?

yes, i thought harnesses were allowed, but not front hook ones? I could be wrong.

! If I could get some turtle scent on the left hand, he’d probably do the best focused heel ever!

go find turtles right before his test! I won't tell!

 

[Ravenbird]

i thought harnesses were allowed, but not front hook ones? I could be wrong.

If you know your evaluator you could ask. Some things are at their discretion. But yes a regular harness is allowed, pretty sure.

go find turtles right before his test! I won't tell!

DCF top secret.

 

[remy]

yes, i thought harnesses were allowed, but not front hook ones? I could be wrong.

This is all I could find about wearing harnesses. It’s a little vague and just says they can’t restrict movement. It probably depends on the evaluator, but they may consider a front clip harness movement restricting. Since it doesn’t specify, you can always just show up with her wearing the harness and see what they say lol.

 

[Katyusharocket]

If you know your evaluator you could ask. Some things are at their discretion. But yes a regular harness is allowed, pretty sure.

I know my evaluator as well as I can from working therapy dog events together and I might ask her. I have a feeling she already knows katyushas pass or fail results...

 

[Ravenbird]

It probably depends on the evaluator, but they may consider a front clip harness movement restricting.

I agree.

 

[Rits]

@Katyusharocket I would just practice without it. The point is showing that your dog is a canine good citizen without the use of tools and with the use of your training and obedience to your command. Having the dog wear the tool but not attached is still using the tool because you are using another way by making the dog think you can use it thus giving you better behavior vs without it. Pictures and video are often taken too so for appearance reasons in addition it's a good idea to not have them wearing things that aren't allowed in order to pass.

@remy I think Remy is super close from all the work you put in! Especially if he does well at a show site. That's where Ripley did her CGCU. Practice having bowls of food out and heeling around them in the house. Then move to doing this outside, pet friendly store etc. Start with as much distance between you and the food for each practice pass and gradually decrease the distance. Remember you ARE allowed to speak to them so if he understands "leave it" for other things use it for the food too then lots of praise when you pass. I'd do a strong correction one time for looking at the thing after you say leave it in training so he won't want to in the eval.

 

[remy]

@remy I think Remy is super close from all the work you put in! Especially if he does well at a show site. That's where Ripley did her CGCU.

I think so too. I’m aiming to have him tested this fall! In the meantime we’ll work on the things he may have a bit of trouble with. It doesn’t seem like they are being offered at this upcoming show, otherwise I might even give the CGCA a shot then/there.

Practice having bowls of food out and heeling around them in the house. Then move to doing this outside, pet friendly store etc. Start with as much distance between you and the food for each practice pass and gradually decrease the distance.

Good idea, thank you!