Posted on September 6, 2008 - by Doxie

Dog Training - Final Test, Part 2

Here’s the review of our second attempt at the final test. It’s been two and a half weeks since our first attempt. In the mean time Aurora had a small surgery and has been on “sick leave”, which means that we have not been able to practice much. However, the wounds have healed and she’s doing well.

I was a little more relaxed this time; actually I did not think we would pass this time either. It is still difficult to finish each of these exercises without using treats, and adding the fact that we also have a limited number of commands to use during this test makes it even more difficult.

OK, here’s how it went this time:

1. Greeting and teeth inspection: 10 points Out of 10 - again a perfect start!

2. Walk on a leash: 7 points. Much like the first time we did the test. She was a bit slow and I had to pull the leash a few times to get her to follow at the right pace.

3. The heel: 8 points Yes, we did it!! She was still slow and walking behind me most of the time, but I avoided to take these looong steps and I used an extra command a couple of times to get her to speed up.

4. Down from stop: 9 points. I had to give the Heel Command twice to get her moving, she was really starting to lose interest of doing all these exercises at this point!

5. The Come command: 7 points. While waiting for the Come Command Aurora decided to lay down! Luckily I didn’t see this; otherwise I had probably messed up the exercise! She was also slow coming towards me and slow to sit down. The worst I’ve ever seen her do this exercise!!

6. The Stand: 9 points. Again a double Heel command to get her moving… oh dear, she was really moving slow now! The Stand was very good, though.

7. Down and stay for 2 minutes: 10 points According to the referee she was laying still like a “chocolate mouse”, we got the perfect score even though I had to give the Sit Command twice… I was worried she was falling asleep during this exercise!!

8. Referee’s total impression: 10 points!!

Total: 158 points A total of 90 points is required to pass the test, also every exercise must be passed.

Very well Aurora, she’s such a good girl!!!! Don’t you agree?

After the finish I found out why she was moving so slow during this test… “someone” had given her a big portion of meat for dinner, she was so stuffed that she could hardly eat her treats after we finished the test!! (The idea was that she would not check out everything she would smell in the exercise area, so I guess it kind of worked!)

Sorry, no videos from this test - the photographer was too nervous!!

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