Our 2nd prep class was also great. Just working around other dogs is great. You may be like us, and meet dogs at parks or have some regular doggie friends, but class provides good experience sharing close quarters with new dogs. It is definitely easiest when the other dogs are well behaved.
Dog tends to face you if you cue with other hand
Dog faces forward if you face forward and use the closest hand
As predicted, in this class, we proofed our stays over and over again: down-stay with distractions, sit-stay with other dogs moving around, stand-stay while a stranger comes to examine, etc. Most dogs can hold their stay with their person nearby; the more advanced students move longer distances away from their dogs during the commotion.
The big take-away for us was cueing “sit” while we’re both facing forward. In the CGC tests that involve meeting people, you’ll want your dog next to you, facing forward. Using the hand closest to the dog is the best body language for this, as it enables you to keep your hips facing forward. Depending on what hand signal you normally use for “sit”, you may need a little practice getting comfortable.
If you use the hand further from the dog, you tend to shift your hips and your dog tends to shift to face you. You might think “big deal”, right? Well, when someone approaches you, you’ll be in an awkward position with your dog positioned slightly in front of you.
We did have an exciting moment of drama in class. During recall (come when called) practice, a dog on the sideline got uncomfortable with the one dog sprinting across the room to his mom. The sideline dog barked, and the sprinter ran over and clobbered her. I couldn’t help but notice the sprinter’s mom had been in a grumpy mood, and I definitely believe her dog was looking for a fight as a result of her mood. As with most dog quarrels, it was over almost as soon as it started and there was no harm done.
