Amber is our beautiful, sweet 16 month old GR PUP , who is attempting to pass the CGC test next week. She took, but did not pass the STAR Puppy Test. Amber is my husband's first dog and he is taking the class with her. He is doing a great job per the trainer, especially on her sit-stays and down-stays. Where she is lacking is on the Greet a Stranger. We have taken her to countless new situations, e.g. park, Big Box stores, elementary school, feed store. She is better, but we both feel that she will not calmly greet a stranger. If she does not pass this time, he will reluctantly not return to the next class. Do you have any other suggestions that we might try? Best regards, Vicki

Some dogs are five before they pass the CGC test, some are 6 months, some never pass...For me, taking classes always was more important than passing the tests. It's a fun way of bonding. I would take her to all kind of environments like you have been doing and ask people to help. First sit, then petting. Ignore if she jumps. And practice, practice. But most important: enjoy the classes. If the obedience classes are getting boring or frustrating, go for agility or something else. But foremost: enjoy working together.

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We are taking it again on Monday so any advice given here would be great. Beamer failed twice so far.. first for the out of sight (we have worked on since) and then next with heeling/ greet another dog. We haven't had a chance to take it until now since we last failed in April.

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@INGE and Rainheart...thank you for the support that we are not the only ones. I am the more competitive one, so I don't think that my husband will be tooo disappointed. My husband said that all but four people/dogs will drop out after last night's class, as they don't think that they will pass. Good idea to try agility....I have my 3 year papillon in agility and I love it. Thanks Vicki

I totally agree. We had so much fun at all the classes we took (except for one due to poor timing). I feel that passing the class is just a bonus!

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When I took my girl for her CGN (canadian equivalent), I took her swimming the morning of the test to reduce her energy level a bit. She was a lot calmer, having worked some of her sillies out.

I agree with the comments above. For us it's more about spending the time working together than passing the test. Depending on how much training experience you have and what your dog's like these things take time and patience. You may not see the progress every day or week but when you look back after a few months you'll see the difference if you keep at it. I found that walking Zoe "in town" in the late afternoon where there are sidewalks, small shops and people of all ages, some walking dogs, was a good way to prepare for the CGC.

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Zoe, Rockwall Nantucket Breeze, BN, CGC, Delta therapy dog
Zeke, our introduction to the world of Golden Retrievers

I spoke with our trainer last night in my agility class with Piper. I told her that Rick will probably be coming Monday for the test. She said, "Tell him YES...I think that Amber will pass." He is not as competitive and so he will go just to see how she does, but we feel she may not pass the Greet a Stranger and Leave the Dog w/Stranger for 3 minutes. I have to say that this trainer has not practiced with any other non-class people for either the STAR puppy, nor CGC. I used a different trainer and they always had us practice in class prior to the tests. I have to say my papillon, Piper, was the only dog to hold her down stay when the trainer walked behind them dragging a folding chair down a wooden fence. We are having positive thoughts and practicing in hopes that Amber will pass. I will keep you posted. Vicki

Dragging a folding chair through a wooden fence? My gosh, the things people can come up with...I like the idea of going to a pet store and asking the people there to help. I am going to try that with Liza. Somehow I never practiced the leaving for three minutes with Tess, but she did fine. I am not so sure about Liza, though.

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Amber, handled by my hubby, PASSED her CGC last night. He was at the test for about an hour with only one other client testing. She did very well except for him returning to her after 3 Minutes with a Stranger test. She passed the test fine, but went a little overboard when he returned . I am VERY proud of them, as my husband gets up at 4:00 a.m. and home at 4:30 p.m. and found time to take her to the park, Big Box stores, etc. to work with her and greeting strangers. He got a very nice yellow scarf, as well. Thank you all for your support during this anxious time. Vicki and Amber