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to CyberHound I can’t tell you how many basset enthusiasts out there are in awe of us. I have talked to many people who have told me how much they admire anyone willing to commit to obedience work. Of course, anyone working a basset in obedience often wonders if they are the ones who should be committed.
I try to explain that obedience training is not only fun, but extremely functional in making their basset a better member of the family. I seem to always get the same responses: "It takes so much time . . ."; "Why teach him obedience, I don’t want to show him . . ." and the best one, "It’s a Basset Hound."
Time commitment is not the only stumbling block. Many conformation people are hesitant to teach their young dogs to do automatic sits as they believe that it will confuse the dog and hinder its show career. There are also concerns of reducing the show dog "spark". Pet owners have a lack of enthusiasm, as they see no benefit to training as they do not plan to compete with them in shows. With the help of AKC’s new Canine Good Citizen program, we may be able to bridge the gap between obedience and conformation.
The "Canine Good Citizen Test" was developed by AKC a few years ago to help promote more responsible dog ownership, as well as to introduce more people into the "dog world". The "tests" can be sponsored by: "Any AKC Club of record or any qualified dog training organization as well as 4-H Clubs, private trainers, and others." AKC has an excellent kit available that explains the test, and how to run one. They also have a booklet that walks a person through the test, as well as giving them training tips. Much of the information about the test included in this column has been gleaned from this booklet.
The test (or evaluation) is made up of ten stations. Dogs are evaluated on a pass/fail basis. In order to qualify, a dog must pass each of the ten test categories. The dog need only pass the test once to receive a Canine Good Citizen Certificate. Dogs that eliminate during the test are immediately marked "failed". Dogs which growl, snap bite, attacks or attempts to attack any person or another dog shall be dismissed from the test. A basset hound, by the nature of the breed is well suited for the test.
Evaluators from the tests should be someone experienced in working with and training dogs for obedience, or for shows, or for the field. Equipment for the test is quite simple. Each owner must present a current rabies certificate, or other state or locally required inoculation certificates and license. They also must have on hand a brush or comb commonly used on the dog. All dogs should wear a well-fitting buckle or slip collar of either leather, fabric, or chain. As in regular obedience trials, special training collars such as pinch collars are not acceptable. The lead, although no minimum length is specified, should either be leather or fabric.
Training for the test is quite simple too. Although there are many six to eight week training classes springing up to prepare an exhibitor and dog for a CGC, I know of several dogs that have passed with three weeks or less of training. First, all the exercises are done "on lead". This takes a lot of pressure off the beginner dog and handler. The basic commands that a dog must know is: Sit, Down, and Stay. Since a handler may talk to and encourage the dog through most of the moving exercises, formal "heeling" although helpful, is not a requirement. The test is designed to show that your dog is a well behaved member of the community. His reaction to different people and situations are valued much higher in this situation then a flawless obedience performance.
Canine Good Citizen awards are not an ending point, but they are actually a stepping stone. Since a person has "tested the water" in training a dog, it doesn’t take too much more encouragement to get them totally committed into obedience work. Many of our newest members of my obedience club became interested in obedience through the CGC program. Also, there is a great benefit in CGC training for anyone who wants to do community work. One of the requirements to be certified as a therapy dog through Therapy Dogs International is that you dog must successfully achieve their Canine Good Citizen Award.
Last column, I talked about the Canine Good Citizen Test in general terms. This month, I thought that I would bring the test to you "up close and personal". Lets run through a test step by step:
This is a practical test, demonstrating that the dog will welcome being groomed or examined by someone other than the owner (i.e. veterinarian, groomer, etc.). The dog is generally examined on a table. The examiner will inspect the dogs general health condition, ears, and overall cleanliness and grooming. The examiner will pick up each of the dog’s front feet, and lightly brush or comb the dog. The owner must supply a current rabies certificate, and any other state or locally required inoculation certificates and license, as well as a brush or comb commonly used on the dog. The handler may talk to the dog, praise and give encouragement throughout the exercise. The dog must not resist. If your dog is well behaved at the vet, he should have no problem with this station.
The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position (at the handler’s side), or try to go to the evaluator. It is recommended (but not required) that the dog start in a sitting position at the handler’s side. It will make it less likely that they will break. Although it is difficult to keep a basset’s nose to themselves, it is not impossible.
The principle feature of this test is to demonstrate that the handler is in control. The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course, or may direct you with commands. There must be a left turn, right turn, and about turn, with at least one halt in between and one at the end. The dog is to walk on you left side and not interfere with you actions. The handler may talk to the dog throughout, praise, and help or command the dog to sit if desired at the halts. The dog does not need to be in the proper "heel" position, or automatically sit when you stop. Guiding with a tight lead or jerk corrections will often disqualify you, but talking to the dog and giving him encouragement will not.
You are to walk your dog by several people, they must be sweeping, tossing a ball, or making some other type of distraction. The dog is not to show fear or aggression, and not to interfere with you or them. Again, as above, you can talk to and encourage your dog constantly through this exercise. the people you are walking by are not out there to try to make your dog fail, but to simulate everyday distractions that may occur on an average walk through your neighborhood.
The dog is to be sitting at the handler’s left side. The evaluator approaches and proceeds to pet the dog on the head and body only. The dog must not show shyness or resentment. The evaluator then circles the dog and handler competing the test. Again, the handler may talk to the dog throughout the exercise. The hardest part of this exercise for a basset should be to teach him to remain sitting and not to follow the examiner for more petting.
This test is to demonstrate that the dog has had some formal training and will respond to the handler’s commands. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to make the dog "sit" and then "down". Most dogs inherently resist the down position. It is the most defenseless position. The CGC rules state that the handler can use several commands (both verbal and hand signal), and may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. Forcing the dog into either position will mean failing the test.
The handler may use more then one command, and a reasonable amount of time, to get the dog into position (sit or down position being the option of the handler). The handler is to give the command to stay, and when instructed by the evaluator, drops the leash and walks forward about 20 feet, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The handler does not need to circle the dog on his return. The dog must remain in whatever position he was left in until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog.
This is much like station #2 (Greet a Person), but something new is added. Tow handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about ten yards, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on about five yards. Again, your dog is to remain on your left side, showing no more than casual interest. Neither dog should go to the other dog or handler.
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with distracting conditions. The evaluator selects two of seven types of distractions: A person on crutches, in a wheelchair, or using a walker; a sudden closing or opening of a door; dropping a large book; a jogger; good-natured pushing an shoving or animated excited talk and back-slapping by persons; a person with a shopping cart; or a person on a bicycle. These distractions are well defined in the rule book and are kept a six to ten foot distance away from the dog. The dog may express a natural interest and curiosity, and may startle, but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness or bark. The handler may talk to the dog, encourage or praise it throughout the exercise. Life is full of surprises. Exposure is the best training technique for Stations 8 & 9. Your dog must learn to ignore the type of distractions used in this test.
You are to leave your dog on a 15 foot tie out, and walk out of sight for five minutes. the dog should not continually bark, whine, howl, or pace unnecessarily or register anything other than mild agitation or nervousness. This is not a stay exercise and the dogs may stand, sit, lie down and change position during this exercise. AKC states that it does not endorse tying out as a general practice, but this exercise gives the impression that it is all right to do so. I know of several obedience clubs petitioning AKC to change this station and possibly using an exercise pen instead.
Well, that’s it. When you really look at it, you can see how truly easy it is. AKC recommends a six week training course to prepare for the test. If you teach your dog to sit and lay down, to stay, and to heal (or at least behave himself on the end of a lead), you have the test almost mastered.
Putting on a Canine Good Citizen Test is a fun and rewarding experience. I have been a part of several. We have held CGC’s in conjunction with all breed shows and matches, 4-H meetings, nursing home visits, county fairs, community college classes, and pet fairs at shopping malls. They could also be easily held at specialties, club picnics, etc. I hope that this article will inspire some of you to organize CGC’s for your local clubs. Earlier this year, each club received a Canine Good Citizen Program Kit from AKC. If you do not have access to a kit or want more information or certificates, you can contact:
The American Kennel Club
Attn. CGC
5580 Centerview Dr., Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27606
The CGC program erases most of the easy excuses for not training a dog. Teaching a basset the simple manners required to pass this test will not only get him and his handler a nifty certificate; but also ensure his place in his home, and make him much easier to live with. Advocating and endorsing this program with your friends and acquaintances will not only get them interested in participating, but may help with educating the public on how to be responsible dog owners. What a great way for pet puppy buyers or rescue dog adopters to learn about their new family members.
For further information on the CGC, which has undergone a few changes since this article was written, check out what AKC has to say about the CGC.