The CGC exam is a series of 10 mini-tests (see link above) that evaluate how your dog reacts to several common situtations including be petted by a friendly stranger, being able to walk nicely on a leash (that is, not drag the human down the road), and do so when there are distractions like kids on bikes or a person in a motorized scooter around. When I have done the CGC exam with my dogs (my first dog Morgan need three attempts to earn her initials, Abby passed on the first time), it was done at the training facility where we took our classes. Going live on the streets of a major city takes it to a new level.
Walk nicely on a leash for the CGC is defined as having the dog at your left side and walking so that the 6 ft lead (not a flexi-leash) is loose and not taut. The dog does not have to be in "obedience heel" position where the dog is precisely positioned at your left leg / hip as you walk. As long as the dog's head is within arm's reach and the leash is loose (there is a bend or J), that is acceptable. This is pretty much how I usually walk with Abby. I'll let her forge ahead or lag behind so that her hound dog nose can get a full workout. Our daily walks are for fun and exercise, and fun for Abby is sniffing stuff.
However, there are instances when I do have to call Abby to "heel". I use the word "heel" as a noun to describe a position rather than an action. Thus, in our house, "heel" is Abby sitting (or standing) by my left leg with her shoulders pretty much even with my leg. Other people use "heel" as a verb and as a command for the dog to "stay glued to my left leg and keep your eyes on me" wherever I go.
From the list of CGC tests, these are the ones Abby and I encounter the most:
- Walking through a crowd (#5)
- Reaction to another dog (#8)
- Reaction to distraction (#9)
I am fortunate that Abby doesn't react to other dogs, and we do meet several each night on our walk. She does show interest, but if I give a "with me" or "leave it" cue, Abby will, for the most part, keep walking by my side and just give the other dog a passing glance. It also helps if I have remembered to bring the treats and can instantly reward her for giving her attention to me rather than the other dog (or people). This meeting a friendly dog exercise in the CGC test was the one that gave my first dog Morgan the most trouble and why it took us 3 tries to pass.
Distractions are plentiful on the streets of Miami. Cars running red lights. People honking their car horns all the time. Bicyclists. Trash, especially from the fast food restaurants, which means the possibility of finding a half eaten roll (GROSS!). Again the "with me" and "leave it" commands are the ones to let Abby know she needs to pay attention to me. There are a few spots where there are elevated planters with densely packed bushes. These planters are right at Abby's nose level when she is standing erect, thus making it very easy for her to "survey" for such trash. If she had her way, she would methodically search under the bushes inch-by-inch! I try to remember to walk on the other side of the street. Saying "leave it" continuously for three city blocks is not fun.
Finally, there are the intersections. I would like Abby to have a nice "auto sit" in that if I stop moving, she automatically sits. We are working on this in the apartment, and the apartment hallways. I would also be very happy if Abby would "sit on command" even with all the above distractions and obstacles. However, her "sit on command" in these situations is 30/70, rising up to 50/50 if I have good treats. At the intersections, there is too much going on, and if I do ask her to sit and actually want some hope that she will do it, I really do need to have eye contact before I give the sit command. At intersections, I do use food as a lure to try and get Abby to sit, but it doesn't work every time.
On the bright side, Abby does have an AWESOME "wait". As we are walking along, I can say "wait" and Abby will stop moving. Yes, she is standing (not sitting), but the key thing is that she has stopped moving. This has been invaluable when we come across someone on bicycle, a jogger, or fast walking people approaching from the opposite direction. Of course, it is very important at street corners while we are waiting for light to change so that we can cross the street.
Not quite as good as a "sit", but "wait" accomplishes my goal: having Abby be still until it is safe for us to proceed forward.
I often wonder if Abby longs for the walks we had while living in Indiana. The subdivisions in the neighborhood there were loaded with rabbits. We would play "I Spy a Bunny" and I would try to keep track of who found the bunnies first. When Abby got a rabbit in her sight, she would stop moving, stare, have her front paw come up and bend, like this beagle below. Sometimes, Abby would do her version of a "bay" which was more like a "Aaaaarrrfff"than an "Aaarrrr-ooo". Some nights the rabbit count hit double digits.
No bunnies here. When we go visit my parents on the gulf coast of FL, we might see a bunny or two in their neighborhood. I guess the other native critters in my parents' community (alligators, bobcats, and the occasional coyote) keep the rabbit population in check.
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