CGC-TDI Test Preparation begins June 17, 2008

Finn enjoying the front porch while Fred, the cat, watches from the inside

Our 4-week preparation session for the AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) - Therapy Dog International (TDI) Certification test begins this week with Karen. Although Finn is only a 9-month old puppy, we may only be eligible to be certified for the CGC but we will give TDI a shot.

These are the testing requirements:

1. ACCEPTING A FRIENDLY STRANGER

This test demonstrates that a dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The Evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the Evaluator.

Finn is a very affectionate puppy, so this can be a challenge for both of us. We've been practicing this with our friends and neighbors. He is so used to getting up and breaking his sits and leaning on our visitors (and looking up lovingly to the handler and to our visitors). Now, our job is to learn a different way of accepting a friendly stranger. Timing is key, so if he breaks his position, he is directed to sit.

2. SITTING POLITELY FOR PETTING

This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. The dog should sit at the handler’s side as the Evaluator approaches and begins to pet the dog on the head and body only. The dog may stand in place to accept petting. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.

Finn can now find heel and sit while wagging his tail.... The challenge is not breaking his sit when the Evaluator starts to pet him. He can get excited at first but after a few go around, he will actually sit and politely receive affection. This will be easier to handle if we exercise him before the test...hmm.

3. APPEARANCE AND GROOMING

This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit a stranger, such as a veterinarian, groomer, or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner’s care, concern and sense of responsibility. The Evaluator inspects the dog, then combs or brushes the dog, and lightly examines the ears and each front foot.

Finn loves being brushed and indeed, it shows. Our daily grooming sessions is paying off! Whew! Our darling 4-year old friend Olivia brushes Finn whenever she visits and Finn gladly accepts her with a big grin on his face. We now have a cue word for brushing, "Let's get brushed".

4. OUT FOR A WALK (WALKING ON A LOOSE LEASH)

This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog can be on either side of the handler, whichever the handler prefers. There must be a left turn, a right turn and an about turn, with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops.

We have been practicing heeling with Finn likes we're in the ring. We get his attention by talking to him with the intent that he focuses on the handler and not the distractions. To make the preparation fun, we do the "About Right" and "About Left" turns and in so follows the "Figure Eight". When we turn left, Finn is directed to get back so he does not run into the handler when making the left turn. When we turn right, Finn is directed to speed up a little so when we make the right turn he is right next to the handler and not lagging behind. Teaching Finn that looking up at the handler results in something fun about to happen. When we stop he sits and looks up at handler with a great big smile!

*CAVEAT -- The type of collar that the AKC will accept in the CGC testing will be a regular buckle, harness, or slip collar, but the TDI testing does not accept the use of any type of training collars (i.e. slip, prong).

5. WALKING THROUGH A CROWD

This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers, without appearing over exuberant, shy or resentful. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not be straining at the leash.

We've been practicing this at the Clintonville Farmer's Market every Saturday morning since it picked up again starting on Memorial Day Weekend. Walking through a crowd with a friendly puppy is actually pretty fun! We learned quickly that a great way to tell if I am nervous is to look at the end of my leash. Staying cool and being in tuned with the scenery was just half the battle. Not all people are accustomed to dogs so we got to work on manners, making sure that we don't allow any unauthorized sniffing or unsolicited visiting by the puppy. The Market has been doing quite well that we've had to come down a bit earlier than usual which means better cheese, fruit, and produce for us to choose from and of course, a dog bone from Flying J Farm. Finn will work for cheese and it has proven to be a great training tool while walking through a crowd!

In class, Finn was not phased by the wheelchair, walker, crutches, dogs walking around him, children running and playing around him.

6. SIT AND DOWN ON COMMAND/STAYING IN PLACE

This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler’s commands to sit and down, and will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to make the dog sit and then down. When instructed by the Evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of a 20-foot line. The dog must remain in place, but may change position.

7. COMING WHEN CALLED

This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may choose to tell the dog to "stay" or "wait," or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog as the Evaluator provides mild distraction (e.g., petting).

8. REACTION TO ANOTHER DOG

This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 10 yards, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 5 yards. The dogs should show no more than a casual interest in each other.

9. REACTIONS TO DISTRACTIONS

This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations, such as the dropping of a large book or a jogger running in front of the dog. The dog may express a natural interest and curiosity and/or appear slightly startled, but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness or bark.

10. REACTION TO MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

The dog should be tested around medical equipment (such as a wheelchair, crutches, cane, walker, or other devices which would ordinarily be found in a facility) to judge the dog’s reactions to common health care equipment. At the discretion of the Evaluator, this test may be included in any of the following portions of the test: 2,3,5 or 9.

11. LEAVE IT

The handler with the dog on a loose leash walks past food on the ground (placed within a distance of three feet) and, upon command, the dog should ignore the food.

12. ACCLIMATION TO INFIRMITIES

This test demonstrates the dog’s confidence when exposed to people walking with an uneven gait, shuffling, breathing heavily, coughing, wheezing or other distractions which may be encountered in a facility.

13. SUPERVISED SEPARATION

This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain its training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch your dog?" and then take hold of the dog’s leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness.

14. SAY HELLO

The TDI Certified Evaluator will test the willingness of each dog to visit a person and that the dog can be accessible for petting (i.e., small dogs can be placed on a person’s lap or can be held, medium and larger dogs can sit on a chair or stand close to the patient to be easily reached).