First CGC Prep Class
Spiff and I had a very nice weekend. We had our first CGC Prep class on Saturday and he did pretty well. The requirements seem fairly loose so I think he has a good chance of passing. The dog/handler greeting test was not so good, but he didn't do horribly either. I have to really work on that one, which is hard since I don't have many friends with dogs that I can ask. The other iffy test item was the 3-minute separation. She said he was a *little* whiny but not bad. That's one I can work on. Christina said he's gotten very attached to me so it's to be expected that he might have a hard time with that test. I think the only thing that was really hard for him was the fact that he had to do it with all those other scary dogs around!!

I think we'll have to miss class this weekend as we'll be going to Rangeley for the long weekend. I will do some work with him while we're up there though. I can at least practice the 3-minute separation test. Oh and the 3-minute down too we need to work on. He kept popping up in class.

I will also have to practice doing the test with just his buckle collar on. No prongs or e-collars allowed. This morning I walked him with the e-collar on and he did pretty well. I continue to practice heeling and the "look" command while we're out on walks. Before the actual test I will take him for a long walk, tire him out, and also charge up the "look" command and the "heel" command so it's fresh in his little doggie mind.

I really hope he passes the test, but if he doesn't it will be ok. We'll take it again.

Oh and we had a nice walk yesterday with "dad". When we got home our neighbor was outside with his son, sledding. We stopped in to say hello and they have a fenced yard so I let Spiff off the leash for some running time. He had fun, and when I took a turn on the sled he ran down after me and seemed to be having a blast. He also had a 30-second spazz out (i.e. running around like mad for no apparent reason) so he got some good exercise yesterday.

Also Christina noticed that he has lost weight. I asked her if he looked *too* thin and she said no, he looks good. I told her how he had gained 12 pounds in the year we had him, so I put him on a diet. One thing I've noticed, though, is that his neck has shrunk too because his collar is much more loose now. I think he looks good but I don't want him any thinner.