My monster is officially "sociable"

[Titchy Reindeer]

On Sunday, Monster took an official sociability test that will be required if ever we compete in doggy sports (looking rather unlikely at the moment, but you never know...). Yesterday we received his little card to prove it!
It's really rather basic, the examiner made us all laugh by saying if the dog didn't bite him, it had an 80% chance of passing, an extra 10% chance of passing if it didn't bite his assistants!
They checked microchips (I'm rather relieved to know that the dog I have matches the paperwork I've got for him!) and then the dog needs to loose lead work with his owner and then with a stranger (that was the hardest part, Monster doesn't like going away from me - unless there's some chasing involved). The dog needs to do a 30sec stay with owner out of sight, a recall, a slalom between other dogs all on lead, and not show any reaction other than surprise to a sudden loud noise (I knew we were ok with that, we get plenty of practice with the birder scarers!).
Like I said, basic, but I'm still really proud of my Monster! A year ago, he would have struggled with the other dogs and possibly strange humans.

 

[Clodagh]

That sounds a lot! Well done.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Wow that does sound hard! I don’t think my lab would go with a stranger what dog sports is that for?

 

[Clodagh]

Wow that does sound hard! I don’t think my lab would go with a stranger what dog sports is that for?

I thought that. Mine won’t even go with my mum if I’m here.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

I thought that. Mine won’t even go with my mum if I’m here.

Mine either or he would go but he would be looking for me until out of sight

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Wow that does sound hard! I don’t think my lab would go with a stranger what dog sports is that for?

Here in France, dog sports are ruled by two federations. The one we did the behavioural test for covers bitey sports and obedience, I think.(I'm still new to all this). The other federation covers agility and hoopers and so on. The certificate can be taken by any dog and its owner and can be converted for the other federation. We were planning to try hoopers which is what we train for, but Monster seems like he might like / do better at obedience, so I need to look into what that actually involves.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Mine either or he would go but he would be looking for me until out of sight

There might of been a little bit of pressure involved to get him to leave me. Once he realised I wasn't going anywhere and he could still see me, he relaxed.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I am incredibly grateful that I have sociable dogs after years of having a nervous/dog aggressive one. It's a lot more relaxing!

 

[CorvusCorax]

On Sunday, Monster took an official sociability test that will be required if ever we compete in doggy sports (looking rather unlikely at the moment, but you never know...). Yesterday we received his little card to prove it!
It's really rather basic, the examiner made us all laugh by saying if the dog didn't bite him, it had an 80% chance of passing, an extra 10% chance of passing if it didn't bite his assistants!
They checked microchips (I'm rather relieved to know that the dog I have matches the paperwork I've got for him!) and then the dog needs to loose lead work with his owner and then with a stranger (that was the hardest part, Monster doesn't like going away from me - unless there's some chasing involved). The dog needs to do a 30sec stay with owner out of sight, a recall, a slalom between other dogs all on lead, and not show any reaction other than surprise to a sudden loud noise (I knew we were ok with that, we get plenty of practice with the birder scarers!).
Like I said, basic, but I'm still really proud of my Monster! A year ago, he would have struggled with the other dogs and possibly strange humans.

In the new WB Character Assessment, as long as the dog isn't gunshy and doesn't try to kill anyone, it'll get through

Not to negate your achievement of course! My young dog can be spicy socially/out and about/around the house but when she's at a club/at 'work' she ignores other dogs. Having something to do/focus on has been brilliant for any of my dogs who haven't been social butterflies.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I am incredibly grateful that I have sociable dogs after years of having a nervous/dog aggressive one. It's a lot more relaxing!

It certainly makes life easier! The only place I still have to really watch monster is in the village / walks from home. At home he's brilliant, take him out in the car somewhere and he's fine, but he's decided the village is his! Not too big an issue we rarely meet anyone and some sausage is enough to get him to behave.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

In the new WB Character Assessment, as long as the dog isn't gunshy and doesn't try to kill anyone, it'll get through

Not to negate your achievement of course! My young dog can be spicy socially/out and about/around the house but when she's at a club/at 'work' she ignores other dogs. Having something to do/focus on has been brilliant for any of my dogs who haven't been social butterflies.

That's pretty much what they said about the assessment! It was nice to have a low pass threshold for our first official doggy outing. It makes it a lot less stressful. Yep, they definitely seem to thrive on work and it really helps my confidence if I want to introduce him to a new dog.