[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by Izzy Princess

OMG - Eddie Izzy and I are so darn proud of you....Izzy is finished with CGC and now we are practicing to take that test. She is in training for Therapy (Delta Org) and we attended a half-day session to see the dogs being tested. It's a lot tougher passing therapy vs. CGC that's for sure.

Eddie you are pawsome! Izzy is having issues with heeling and staying put when a stranger walks up to us..she is so friendly she wants to go to them and have them pet her.

Pass on any tips - we sure can use them. We may have to pass her as a little dog, too. I didn't want to but now that I see what is all involved and how she is I might have to.

Tips:
Ours was Delta Society too. In retrospect, I was glad I tested him as a small dog. That allows you to pick them up for several of the tests, including the stranger test. It even allows you to pick them up for the "leave it" test, which is kind of funny. They put a toy on the ground and I walked past it carrying Eddie. He didn't even see it.

You do have to walk them to show they can walk on a loose leash. It's not a formal heel, and they don't have to sit when you stop. Eddie pulled once, but I just stopped, talked to him for a second, and then moved on.

All dogs are different, but I knew Eddie was going to be stressed in the test building. I started with a long morning walk. Then I brought him in 45 minutes before the testing. We went to a back room and worked on heels. Then I brought him to the lobby and got him comfortable with the noise and the people and the other dogs. By the time the test came, he was fairly mellow.

Good luck, Izzy!

And thanks, everybody, for the props!