Last Monday was the big day, Reese was taking her AKC Canine Good Citizen test! We had practiced for 7 weeks straight and were as ready as ever! She had excelled in class in nearly everything, she heeled perfectly, came when called, waited patiently as a stranger petted her.
But there was one tasked that Reese didn’t like: the 3 minute down-stay with a stranger while I left the room. I’ll hand it to Reese, in my opinion, it’s the hardest part of the CGC test. However, Reese found it especially difficult! She’s a busy little girl and doesn’t like to have to wait, laying down is just no fun!
And Reese has quite the approach to expressing her opinion: she barks. And barks. And barks!! And that was just our problem during practice. Once I’d leave the room, Reese would look up at the woman she had to lay next to and in her way of saying “hey, let’s do something!” she’d bark!
So we practiced at home over and over again. Elsa would help. She’d lay right next to Reese, 3 minutes straight. I’d go upstairs, into the kitchen, in and out. And there they’d lay. Perfect. We were ready for the big test!
It was really hot that day, but Reese joined me the entire day on my dog walks. I wanted her good and tired…and tired dog is a well behaved dog! We got home after the long day, met Chris and Elsa, hopped in the car and made our way to American K9 Country in Amherst NH where we were taking our test.
However, upon arrival, my little girl who was supposed to be nice and tired was entirely NOT! She bounced around with excitement in seeing all of her family members (both 2 and 4-footed) who came to watch. Not a good sign. And then she began to bark. “Look at me!” she’d say, “let’s play!!” I tried to get her focused by practicing some basic tricks but my little girl was just too excited. And barked barked barked. It was then that I decided I just had to tucker her out….
…so outside we went, into the muggy heat. And I began to run. We ran around and around the building, over and over again until we were both tired and hot. Now we’re ready!