Think I accidentally hit my keyboard and typed a bunch of nonsense? Nah, all those letters are on purpose! The dogs and I have been busy training and working on our social and obedience skills and have been rewarded with earning titles from the American Kennel Club.
On a sunny summer afternoon Rex earned his Canine Good Citizen title. We had to successfully complete 10 skills of basic obedience and temperament. Karelians, who are naturally standoff-ish/aloof toward people they do not know, are a little challenged by this test that requires them to be approached and touched by strangers; Karelians are also hyper-observant and want to sniff all the things, so training to walk on a loose leash and not sniff all the things is challenging too. It took time and a lot of practice, but Rex and I trained and passed the test on our first attempt! Our test location took place in a grassy dog yard that had a female dog in heat and a little bunny freely hopping about the place. Challenging? Yes, but it was a true test of our abilities. We will continue to work our our skills, so we are both confident while out in the community.
Fly, who passed her CGC test two years ago, took the Canine Good Citizen Advanced test. She has been ready for quite awhile, but we didn't have time before now to take the actual test. The Advanced test has similar components to the basic test, but takes place in the community at a store, Sportsman's Warehouse in our case, and the dog and handler must pass elements such as navigating stairs, different floor surfaces, elevators, and distractions such as crowds of people, food, and other dogs. Ever the social, yet aloof, butterfly, Fly passed with ease.
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| Fly posing with her CGC ribbon in 2018 |
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| Fly posing with her CGCA ribbon in 2020 |
The CGC Urban test is similar to the Advanced, but does not require dogs to have previously passed the CGC test. This test is performed while out walking the dog in the community along public sidewalks and crosswalks and the dog must show confidence and self-control and remain in-tune with the handler. I decided to give this test a try with Fly as well, and all our time spent out in the community paid off, because she passed this test as well. Yay!
As an additional test of my dogs' temperament and ability for self-control, I brought both dogs to a Farm Dog Certification test. This test, which the dogs must pass twice under two different evaluators in order to be certified, is similar to the basic CGC test, but it is performed in a farm setting. Farm equipment and livestock must be ignored at all times. A loose leash must be maintained at all times. Calm manners must be exhibited at all times. We did have one petulant sheep in the flock that wanted to make trouble, but both Fly and Rex ignored the wooly creature (as well as the chickens and Sand Hill Cranes that freely roamed the area) and both dogs passed their tests after a very hot, very long day of waiting for our turn, and being on the farm.
Photos to be uploaded when we receive our ribbons!!!
So, as soon as the paperwork comes back from the American Kennel Club, my two fluffy black and white rock stars will have more titles added to their names. So fun! More importantly, these certifications and titles further emphasize how well rounded my dogs are and highlight the great potential that Karelian Bear Dogs have as a breed.
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