Mock CGC - Follow-up

YIPPEE!! I passed the practice test with flying colors.!
MFM took me on a 3 mile walk in the morning and the test was at noon. She thought I would not be so hyper after a long walk and she was right. I was able to concentrate and please. NOW - the REAL test will be on April 2nd.

Mock CGC - Getting Ready

I had so much fun in St. Louis, in spite of the snow, sleet, rain, and hot weather. And that was all just in one week! The children, ages 4 & 6, thought it was fun to play with me and their dog, Fredie, played a little bit, but mostly just tolerated me. She did share her backyard and I showed her how clever I was by immediately finding a way to get under the fence into the garden at the house next door. It was so fun at both houses with places to dig, sticks to carry, and squirrels to chase. I hope we get to go back very soon.

I have been busy since our return from St. Louis. MFM insists on practicing the things we learn at doggie school obedience classes. I think I am getting better at listening. I am also getting better at shaking hands. This coming Saturday is our mock Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and the next week is the real thing. It will be my first step in becoming a therapy dog. I think I will enjoy visiting people but I don't think I am ready to lie down and listen to children read stories for 2 hours.

These are the things we have to do:

• Accepting a friendly stranger - Shake hands, no shyness, not jump or lunge, handler shows control of dog
• Sit politely for petting - Start in sitting position, stay at owner's side in sit or stand, can't pull away, pet, circle
• Appearance and grooming - Sit or stand; comb / brushes dog; lightly examines ears and picks up feet
• Out for a walk - Owner has control. right & about turn, one stop, need not sit at stop
• Walking through a crowd - Walk through 3 people, may show some interest, slight sniff, not hide behind handler
• Sit and Down on command / stay in place - Sit on command; down on command.Attach a 20 foot lead with dog in sit or down position, walk to  end of lead and back to dog. Dog must stay in place, not in position. 
• Come when called - 20 foot lead attached, dog in sit, down, or stand position, (does not fail if follows; redirect), at end of 20 ft, call dog (3 attempts o.k.)) pass if dog comes; fail if passes or reeled in.
• Reaction to another dog - 2 dogs / handlers 15 feet apart. Walk to each other, stop shake hands, exchange "hi", walk on. Dog can't pass mid line or go to follow other dog.
• Reaction to distractions - One visual in front and one sound behind. may startle but regain composure
• Supervised separation - out of sight for 3 minutes. Cannot continually bark, whine, show stress, pull

 The test is for MFM and me, so I hope she keeps her wits about her and we pass.

Settling in St Louis

Taking a tip from our visit with ABW's Sammy, we met K3, children, and their dog Fredie, at the local park. It took a while, but Fredie finally warmed up to me.

Back at Fredie's house, I showed her how submissive I am. I stole her toys and she actually let me play with them. I laid down on her bed and she paced but didn't murder me, although MFM made me give it up. All in all, the socialization experience was quite succesful. We played all evening until I was so tired that I put myself to bed. I am happy to be in my nice warm crate because it is snowing outside right now!

A Trip with "Trip"

MFM packed the car, including my crate, special blanket, leashes, food, food and water dishes, bottle of water, and treats.

"Just like having a small child," she muttered.

We spent an exhausting hour at doggie obedience school and I did quite well. MFM strapped me into my very own seat belt and we were off.

We drove all day and into the night but I slept a lot because I was so tired. There was a tremendous amount of traffic around Ft. Worth and we slowed to a crawl. I am able to move around a little in my seat belt so I checked out the scenery. MFM put my window down so I could interact with all the passing people. I don't bark, mind you, but I do like to look. I checked things out when MFM turned on the blinker or slowed down, but she never did stop at the dog park. I wonder where it went.

We were on a toll road for a long time and I got really lucky when a nice lady at the booth gave us two doggie "cookies." MFM gave me one and set the other aside. When she stopped to get gas, I quietly snarfed the second one up!

We stopped for the night at a La Quinta Motel. We can always count on them to be very pet friendly. MFM put my special blanket down for me, right beside her bed and I slept like a lamb all night. We are leaving shortly and should reach our destination late this afternoon.

Bath Time

MFM called to me  and I headed after her ....until I heard the water running in the tub. She was gone quite a while, the water stopped, and all was quiet except for her happy voice calling "Here, Trip! Come on, Boy."  Sure it was a happy voice, but as time went on, it had an edge to it. I was hiding!

I do that sometimes, hide that is. She never finds my spot because I sneak out when she is not looking and just show up under her feet. Tonight was different....she finally found me. I was not about to move or come out, but she had some really good smelling treat that she was offering. Shucks! Just when I get everything smelling just right, she has to go and wash it all off.  My odor was particularly nice today since they have been replenishing the cedar mulch at the dog park. I rolled in it! The good thing is that I get to snuggle up with MFM after I am clean.

Oh, well, I am clean and can now travel to St. Louis to see the grandchildren there. That's a lot of sitting, but we will make it. Leaving right after doggie school tomorrow.

Turkey in the Yard

I don't bark very much. In fact, MFM thought I couldn't bark when she first got me because she did not hear me for a month! In truth, I learned at the dog park. I learn a lot of things at the dog park. Sometimes I have to leave early.
I did bark when I saw these wild turkeys saunter through my back yard. MFM refused to let me out to play. Bummer!

On The Ball

I LOVE my Wiffle ball! It certainly is hard for MFM to keep the camera in the right place because I am so fast. Yeah!

Who Do You Think I Am?

My parentage has a subject of much discussion at the dog park. Most of the people here have rescue dogs but they keep asking "What kind of do is that?" and point at me.
MFM was told I was a Cockapoo but, of course, no one really knows.....or cares....

The way I lie down flat with my legs splayed out behind me brings chuckles and ideas that it is a trait of Lhasa Apsos....and it is also seen in Cocker Spaniels, and other breeds. I think it is just because I like to cool my belly and rest my hips. I keep everyone entertained by running at break-neck speed and, at the last minute, flattening my body to coast in, landing in position. Saves time. Don't have to turn in circles and find just the right spot. Any old spot will do.

Another trait the chatting humans notice is my underbite. This is also a trait of Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus.

Here is photo of Cockapoos I found on the Internet. Hmmmm....there are some differences..... These guys look a lot like my friend, Sammy.

Here is an Internet photo of a Lhasa-Poo puppy

And here is a photo of a Shih-Poo

I definitely have Poodle hair and hardly shed. I have not really found any other dogs that look just like me, so I guess that makes me an original. All that really matters is that I am lovable, smart, fun, cute, gregarious, and obedient (well, most of the time :)

Who do you think I am?