CGC Test

[Cleo2014]

Cleo has less than one week before she is tested for the CGC test... and I'm FREAKING OUT!!! We have been working on the CGC items in obedience class. She did well with all of the testing until the last two sessions... She had broke from her down stays before the time is up. Now, we are doing them longer than what is required for the test, but she is still breaking before the time requirement for the CGC. And just in class...... she can do fine at home. And she is also being a priss. Won't work unless she gets treats... and you can't use treats on the test. The only treat issue I have is when I ask her to sit, then down, she is expecting a treat in my hand and will NOT go down unless she sees it. But I can put her in the down from standing without a treat just fine. I am starting to stress out over this because I have been working so hard for her to get this title and there is only one week left!

 

[Calliesmom]

And she is also being a priss. Won't work unless she gets treats... and you can't use treats on the test. The only treat issue I have is when I ask her to sit, then down, she is expecting a treat in my hand and will NOT go down unless she sees it. But I can put her in the down from standing without a treat just fine. I am starting to stress out over this because I have been working so hard for her to get this title and there is only one week left!

She does not have to down from the sit. she just has to show a sit and a down. if she downs better from a stand- then do it that way.

my first sheltie did not pass the CGC on the first attempt. she did not remain in place for the stay or the recall part.
but she did pass and got to be the friendly dog for some other test takers. and she eventually got her rally novice title so don't let Cleo feel your stress and you'll be fine

 

[Cara Sandler]

And she is also being a priss. Won't work unless she gets treats... and you can't use treats on the test. The only treat issue I have is when I ask her to sit, then down, she is expecting a treat in my hand and will NOT go down unless she sees it. But I can put her in the down from standing without a treat just fine. I am starting to stress out over this because I have been working so hard for her to get this title and there is only one week left!

That was my biggest problem during the CGC too - Spirit is under the impression that she only has to do what I ask if she's going to get a treat. I've been working hard with her on that, doing things such as varying the reinforcement rate to always keep her guessing, but she still performs WAAAAAYYYY better when she sees that treat in my hand. We pretty much got lucky that she decided to do what I asked the day of the CGC. Paws crossed for you!!!!

Also, you don't have to do a sit to a down. A down from a stand is fine

 

[Shelby's mom]

Our trainer taught us to hold our hand as if we had a treat so Shelby would think I had a treat in my hand when we took the test. She now thinks if you, or anyone holds their hand a certain way, they must have a treat and she will do anything you ask of her.

Shelby was good with the down stay, best in our class....until testing day. I put her in the down stay and to everyone's surprise she broke too soon. Fortunately I was allowed to repeat it and she passed. And I was worried about the distraction test.....

Good luck with your test!

 

[Chris]

I was just as nervous when Layla was tested -- and she did fine. Deep breaths!!!

 

[Cleo2014]

Our trainer taught us to hold our hand as if we had a treat so Shelby would think I had a treat in my hand when we took the test. She now thinks if you, or anyone holds their hand a certain way, they must have a treat and she will do anything you ask of her.

Shelby was good with the down stay, best in our class....until testing day. I put her in the down stay and to everyone's surprise she broke too soon. Fortunately I was allowed to repeat it and she passed. And I was worried about the distraction test.....

Good luck with your test!

Yes I try that too. She can smell if the food is there and still does not want to do what is needed. I'm honestly thinking of soaking my fingertips in something that will catch her attention. I won't have a treat but it will smell like I do. Overall sometimes I can trick her and sometimes I can't. It is frustrating. I will be testing this method this weekend.

 

[JoonieB]

She'll be fine. Relax and have fun! I was able to get my girl through her CGC, CGCA and TDI tests without treats by gradually working on duration at home and in classes. You might not pass the first time and if not, it's no big deal. Take some time to practice and retake it when you're both ready. Some dogs struggle because they're "paid" too often or too much in training without really being challenged so then they expect treats for simple behaviors. The idea is that the dog learns that s/he needs to work and perform a chain of behaviors before earning a treat...if she can do a down stay at 20 feet at home, start at 10 feet in class and increase the distance from there etc. I never expected my girl to perform as well in class as at home until she really "got it".