Bentley: Canine Good Citizen

Congratulations to Bentley!  He passed his Canine Good Citizen test today, and he passed with flying colors.  I am so proud of him, too!  It was like everything clicked with him and he did great!

I was worried that he would just totally blow me off, like he sometimes does.  But he did everything just like he was supposed to do.  We all commented that having trained him to walk in the show ring was a plus, and he strolled around on the walking part like he was in the ring!  I was worried about the down command.  I had already talked to the evaluator before we started because I knew that Bentley wouldn't do it.  The evaluator was really kind and explained that even if I had to gently coax him into the down position he would pass Bentley.  The idea with CGC training is to be able to control your dog; so if you are able to gently persuade him to do something that shows you have control.  I did have to make him sit and then pull his front legs forward until he was down, but then he stayed very comfortably in the stay while I stepped away. 

The instructor and evaluator reminded us to keep training, that it is an ongoing process.  The evaluator made the comment that dogs are just like children, they need discipline and structure in their lives.  I know that Bentley is a better dog now that we've embarked on the training journey.  I think it is time for the others in our little pack to do some training, too!

I'm definitely going to spend the money to order him a certificate and to have the title "CGC" added to his registered name.  Maybe buy him a CGC leash, too, since he did such a good job on his test!