We had to wait quite a while after the bronze before we could start the test for the silver because we were waiting for other dogs to turn up. I started to get a bit bored; Tommy started to get very bored. He started rolling on his back, mock growling and biting his lead. Time for a short walk while we try to calm down just a bit…
Eventually the other dogs turned up and the test could start. The exercises are a bit harder than the bronze (obviously) but we had been practising a lot. The first exercise was ‘play with your dog in a controlled manner’ – if the examiner had been around 15 minutes before, she would have seen me play with the dog in a controlled manner / lose control / take dog for a walk to calm him, but still. Getting Tommy excited is no problem, and for some reason he was willing to work. When she said stop, I said down and Tommy dropped like a ton of bricks, tail wagging, waiting for the next instruction. I started to have some hope that this might go well.
The road walk went ok; some motorbikes went passed which freaked Tommy a bit. ‘It’s ok’ I said ‘nothing to worry about’. The examiner seemed to pick up on what I said and wrote something down – I hoped it was positive! Tommy was eager to jump in his cage in the car. Wagging his tail he circled and sat down. He almost seemed fed up when I let him out again!
The controlled greeting went well, as did the ignore food (I had to eat some bread pudding whilst Tommy wasn’t meant to be too interested). The sun came out for the two minute down stay (hurrah!) so I had to persuade Tommy that more work was coming and to move!
A basic recall was next – no problems at all (so why does he piss about so much over the park when I call him then!). The next exercise was come away from distractions off lead (the distractions was the other dogs). I was worried about this. Tommy had shown ‘interest’ in a couple of the other dogs – especially as he hadn’t had a class with them before. I took Tommy off the lead and walked towards the dogs. He trotted ahead a small amount and when instructed, I turned and called him for all I was worth! I broke into a jog and he followed! I was so pleased – especially as he went (waggy tailed) to say hello to a very bouncy bitch that he liked the look of!
Examination of the dog – the last exercise for Tommy - was soon upon us. I was nervous, too nervous really and I’m sure this ‘went down the lead’. Tommy isn’t great at being handled. I don’t know why. It must have been something from before we had him, and it can cause problems. B/f and I have no problems with him – I can do anything I like with Tommy with no fears but a stranger?? I was hoping that as the lady examiner had been around Tommy for a few hours he wouldn’t freak. I desperately watched how Archie behaved. He is the other ‘snappy’ dog in the class. He growled at her but all seemed under control – I felt encouraged. Another couple of dogs then it was our turn. I said straight away that I was dreading this part. Lots of good boys, clever boys and well dones later, the ‘business’ end was done. Then she done something I wasn’t expecting, she went round to the ‘other’ end to (I presume) check the balls (not that he’s got any) and rear legs. It caught me by surprise, I turned to look at Alan and in that split ½ second it happened. Tommy went for the examiner. She moves quickly when she wants to! She said that was just too close and I know it was. I felt sad, but always knew that would be his downside. And it’s my fault. I looked at what she had done with the other dogs – why did I not think she would try for Tommys rear? I felt silly and embarrassed.
She carried on along the line and then it was the questions again. Even though I knew I’d failed, I still went in to answer the questions. Just to rub it in, she asked me the same questions that she asked for the bronze – at least I got the puppy food one correct this time!
So that was that. I won’t be mentioning the Silver Award again. Although will try again next year.
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