Bronze good citizen fail

Well we had the test on Saturday tbh I was resigned that he wouldn't get through the stay without barking (despite doing it with ease at home/in the park etc) and wouldn't pass so on that fare I was quite relaxed just going for the experience (well i had paid upfront for the hour) we however got another fly in the ointment with the high winds, the barn the test was in was constantly rattling and having doors banging etc

The test started with a controlled walk including the wait with moving through a gate followed by a chat with the examiner for 1 minute with me being quizzed for this we got an excellent then things went downhill during the grooming Ledger started ok but while the examiner was with the first dogs he just got really spooked and the trainers said they had never seen him so agitated (even in week one) he just wanted to get out of the barn and wouldn't even respond to food, the trainers tried to manipulate some pressure points on him to calm him down but he was just shaking and wriggling

For all the dogs sakes we sat out of the stay altogether and I finally got him interested in the peanut butter in his kong and we tried the walking around the other dogs he walked around fine and sat long enough for another dog to walk around him before he just pulled for the door again but we did get a pass on that bit.

Finally the recall which he did amazingly on so overall we may not have got the certificate but we got a rosette for taking part and because of his great performance around the other dogs and on recall they have said he can start on the agility courses (although with 3x foundation levels at £66 an eight week level I may look at other options)

I really want to find something else to keep his interest and keep his mid active I had figured on agility with him as he seems to love the couple of times he has tried the jumps/tunnel, flyball would be great but the tennis balls have no chance of making it back in one piece! My dad suggested last night that I look at working trials has anyone else tried this with a staffy?

All in all though putting him through obedience classes (even if he was 12-18 months older than all the other dogs and when we started I had only rescued him about 3 months before) has been an awesome experience for both of us he is noticeably better when we are out and about I would definitely recommend to anyone

aw thats a shame. you can always try again though one day but like you say its the experience and socialisation that we do the classes for not the ribbons theyre an extra bonus. lets just hope next time the wind stays calm for the time you need it to. he's still as star for getting this far so i think we all agree he deserves the big thumbs up anyway.

Agree, what an amazing experience for him even to have, well done you! Massive shame the outcome wasn't better but what an achievement to have got this far.

At least you tried your best, none of us can control the weather, as much as we would love to. You should feel very proud of your achievment though. Give yourself a pat on the back and a hug for Ledger ><

Awww shame but you had fun though we all think hes the best

I'd try again if you can afford it and work your way up to the gold.

Working trials can be a lot of fun, but a staff might struggle with on or two things (the wall scaling could be a problem). They'd be fine with tracking & obedience work though. If you can find a training club for working trials nearby why not give it a go?

I'm sorry it didn't go as well as you'd have liked, but sounds like you handled it very well (and the instructors, too). I agree with Caryll that it would be good to try again later. I've just started a little tracking with my puppy and he's a natural. Now I've done blood tracking, but I'm sure any kind will do (and I plan to try other kinds later - but I imagine the blood makes it easier for a beginner). You can see his first two attempts in his puppy diary in the puppy section! A bonus with tracking is that it makes the dog in charge and this will often be beneficial in insecure dogs, making them feel more confident in themselves in other areas as a result.

Thank you all for your comments the club have said just to get in touch if I think he is ready and they will arrange another test. I may progress upto gold but there is no rush just going to build on what we have learnt so far and perfect the bark on command and subsequent 'quiet' and factor some noise desensitisation into training

Well we are risking another go at the test on Friday night in the comfort of the home and park he is more than capable of passing it will just go down to the atmosphere on the night

Good luck for Friday

All the very best of luck to you both

Can't wait to hear the outcome this time!

Good luck!!

Looking forward to hearing how you go ... fingers and paws crossed for you both!!

Good luck I have every faith he is capable!! Let us know

 ....................well jules how did it go

It was 8pm last night and.........



....We passed  despite being a little on edge his stay was amazing and he was the only one that wasn't held by the examiner in a wait for the recall. A minor blip on the grooming/handling as he decided that it was an invitation to play but we got through it

yay way to go both of you

 Great news well done:bounce: 

Well done Jules  

Fantastic news, well done

Great news.

That's great news. You should both be proud of yourselves.

Congratulations knew you would get it! Well done also for not being out off and taking it again, bet your so pleased

Oh, great news Jules - well done Ledger you little  

Brilliant news, well done