CGC Class Week One

Class Outline

Introduction:  Review descriptions of the test and the 10 tests the dogs will master by the end of the week.

           Distribute the 10 CGC tests

• Corrections are not permitted during the tests.  We will work to minimize corrections and use other means such as controlling rewards, withholding rewards for undesired behaviors and waiting for/rewarding for wanted behaviors.
• Food and toys are not permitted during the tests. Our goal is to make your praise very rewarding by consistently pairing it with a food reward and then fading back the frequency of giving the food along with the praise ( make it intermittent.) Do NOT begin fading the food lure until you are instructed to do so.  Fading back too early will lessen the chance of your dog's strong response to a verbal reward.

Behavior 1:  Attention: maintaining  vs. regaining.

• Attention should be expected and rewarding from the time your dog leaves the car and throughout the class.
• We will ask your dog to sit, wait and give eye contact before the dog is allowed to enter the training area.
• Once you GET your dog's attention, it is your job to MAINTAIN IT.

       Distribute Attention Exercise

Demonstrate:  how to teach eye contact.  Demonstrate a sit and wait at the entrance with eye contact.

Action 1: Meet and Greet the Dogs.

•     Identify if your dog has any sensitivity to body handling by both a stranger and the family.
•    Explain counter conditioning
•    Instructor will greet your dog and touch their ears, feet and pet them as they are comfortable.

Review Commands:

It is not necessary for your dog to perform these commands flawlessly at this time.  All should use the verbal/food reward pairing until instructed to stop doing so.    Ask for the addition of the eye contact before rewarding and completing the exercise.

Sit - think of moving the dog's head UP instead of thinking about pushing the dog's hind end down.

Down - Luring from a sit is acceptable at this time.

Wait -  temporary stay/wait for my next command

Stay -  Release after the command not the reward.

Discussion: Cues and Commands

    Distribute Cues/Command Handout

Behavior 2:  Loose Leash Walking

Actually this is a SKILL!

• Reward attention to the owner, walking without pulling, responding to commands from the owner: sit, eye contact.  The dog does NOT have to be looking at the owner in order to be paying attention.  A dog pulling is NOT paying attention.
• LOTS of food rewards
• Turn, Change direction, Change pace, do the unexpected.  If your dog is pulling badly work in reverse of what your dog is doing: he pulls forward you change direction, he turns left, you turn right.  Your dog will start to pay attention, wondering what is going to happen next.
• Verbal and physical cues such as patting the leg ARE allowed during the test, but you may work on fading these later if you wish.
• Cue for a change in direction

Action 2:   Doing It.

Students and dogs line up in twos to practice. Try to minimize the pulling without physically pulling back on the leash.  If your dog is overly social, move farther apart until you can keep your dog's attention on YOU.  We will work towards walking in close proximity to another dog as we progress through class.

Conclusion to class:

Dogs must walk without pulling to your car.  LLW is enforced as is attention the entire time you are with your dog, not just in the training area.  Remember to expect and work towards constant attention from your dog next week from the time you exit your car until you get back into the car.

Before class next week:  Your dog is to sit/wait/give eye contact BEFORE entering the training area.

Homework:   Loose Leash Walking.  This is the MOST difficult task for most dogs and owners.  If your dog is scoring an 'B'  in LLW, you do not need to work as frequently on this skill.  If your dog is scoring LESS than a B, you should be working on this at least once a day for 20 - 25 minutes.  If your dog is scoring less than a B, you should be working on this twice a day for 15  minutes each time.  We will reevaluate your dog in each class and as he progresses, you will spend less and less time working specifically on this skill.

Discussion: What if it rains? How will you continue to work on LLW.  What is you are extremely busy?  How will you fit LLW into your schedule.

Review Cues and Commands Handout and implement changes in your training style as needed.

Next week:  start bringing your Long Line.