My dogs and I have in theory been following the Good Citizen
Dog Scheme syllabus in training classes for quite a while now, but courtesy of
an extended period where I couldn’t walk without crutches, Daisy got to take a
break after her Puppy class, and as a result was about ready to take her Bronze
just before Crufts. Our trainer at Ashlawn suggested we might like to take the
test actually at Crufts itself, as part of the demonstration of skills that
goes on in the education area.
So we sent in our application, and were rather delighted to
be accepted to take our test on the Thursday. The day itself didn’t get off to
a flying start when: 1. we were half an hour late (despite only living down the
road from the NEC) due to an accident and missing the pre-demo/test briefing
and 2. while waiting in line to go in for the first demo, Daisy expressing her
disapproval at the very close proximity of an absolutely enormous GSD inviting
her to play and growling a bit. Cue lots of muttered discussion from the
coordinators about if there was any hint of temperamental unsoundness I
couldn’t be allowed to do the demo and would have to take the dog home, and my
trying to suggest that she was probably just a bit intimidated by the enormous
puppy that had just socked her with a dinner-plate sized foot and that she
would be fine once moving.
Part of me was ready to just pack up there and then, but I
plastered a smile on, and the demo proceeded without a hitch. Daisy worked
beautifully, as did all the other dogs in the ring.
Then we went for a wander round the show. In retrospect,
this was probably very unfair to Daisy, as she’s only a knee-height dog, but
she handled the crowds and the noise and the chaos really, really well. In fact
she was super interested in everything going on, especially the food stalls
that had samples laid out at dog height, ready to be tried. I ended up buying
her small bags of a number of things based off which treats and foods she
pulled hardest to be allowed to have!
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Canidae went down well |
Then back to the bench (the allocated resting area for each
dog) for a quick snooze (both of us), drink (both of us) and a brush over
(Daisy; my hair was beyond redemption) before the next demo. By the second time
in the ring, Daisy had identified that people were looking at her, and she
trotted in, tail waving and really turned on the charm for the audience, little
horror that she is. She was starting to
flag though, so we had a bit of a quiet time back at the bench, and a gentle
stroll around the education area…where I bumped into two handlers that I had
been on Young Kennel Club camps with as a 13/14 year old. Amazing how so much
time has passed, and yet shared interests give you something to just pick up
on, like you only saw each other last week.
Finally: the test itself. There was a larger crowd watching
this than there had been earlier in the day, and a compere who was giving
running commentary on each dog which ratcheted up the stress a bit. Also a very
thorough, though very nice, judge. I was pretty confident, based on the two
demos, that everyone in the ring (7 of us) were going to pass but you can never
be completely certain! Daisy’s test started well with her heelwork and going
through the gate – didn’t put a paw wrong, and really showed off in the
heelwork round the outside of the ring; she trotted along like a little Arab
horse, on a nice loose lead with tail waving like she was having the best time
ever (though with all those people watching she probably was). Ditto all the
staying away from distractions and walking in and out of other dogs (which had
been a huge challenge for her in training as she wants to go and say hello to
EVERYONE). For the examination of dog and grooming I had her lie down rather
than stand, as she was obviously getting tired, and by the time the judge got
to us to assess whether the dog was ok being brushed and looked at in her eyes,
ears, mouth, feet etc, Daisy was lying with her eyes closed, practically asleep
and not really responding to having her paws prodded or her tummy brushed,
except to wag her tail a bit when she heard her name. Bless.
Given her tiredness, the down stay also wasn’t a challenge,
and so we successful passed our Bronze Good Citizen test at Crufts. We got the
standard passing rosette, and also a rather lovely Crufts 2015 souvenir one,
which was a bit special.
So I’m terribly proud of my little Daisy, and we’re going
onwards and upwards to the Silver test…
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ReplyDeleteParticipating in Crufts is a dream come true for many dog owners, and being recognized as the Best Citizen is a prestigious honor. The Best Citizen category celebrates dogs that exhibit excellent behavior, obedience, and temperament, proving that training and care are as essential as physical appearance. To stand out in this competition, owners should focus on creating a strong bond with their dogs through consistent training and socialization. It’s about showcasing the harmony between a dog and its handler. For more tips on managing your dog's health and finances, visit trueadvicefinancialservices.co.uk for expert advice.
ReplyDeleteCrufts is a prestigious event that celebrates the beauty and talent of dogs, but it’s also a place where good citizenship shines. Being the best citizen at Crufts isn’t just about showcasing your dog’s skills—it’s about fostering a positive and respectful atmosphere for both competitors and visitors. Participating in Crufts requires not only discipline and dedication but also an awareness of how your behavior impacts others. Whether interacting with fellow dog lovers or supporting charities, kindness and respect are essential. For those looking for an online community of like-minded individuals, visit https://omegle.fan to connect with fellow dog enthusiasts!
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