Gitdog’s Guide to (almost) being a Gold Good Citizen.

elsien

1. Road walk at different paces – prat around until mum sneaks a treat into her hand when the assessor isn’t looking. Perform the exercise impeccably. Wait until the assessors back is turned then go into a full scale bullie run on the end of the lead, complete with spins and twirls. As this would be an instant fail, stop just before the assessor turns round again.
2. Return to handler’s side – sit looking alert while mum walks away. Continue to sit looking alert and with a mildly curious !!!!!! expression while mum leaps around like a loon calling you towards her. Do a detour towards your favourite person then swerve back again just in time – just kidding. Take up the heel position with a “what are you worried about” look of disdain.
3. Walk free beside handler – a calculated decision has been made that letting you do this when your doggy best mate is in the room would not be beneficial as wrestling is generally not conducive to a pass. Which is a shame as you’d far rather be jumping on his head. This leaves you no option but to have a little play with each of the cone markers and a nice hello to everyone on the settee as you walk past.
4. Stay down in one place – no you can’t stay in the bow position, get that !!!! down on the ground, oh look, another encouraging sneaky treat.
5. Relaxed isolation – bored now, so stand with your back to the room and your nose in the corner drooping and looking very sad. The sympathy vote is always worth a try.
6. Stop the dog – just because everyone else does this at top speed doesn’t mean you have to. A perfectly carried out slowly sauntering triumph.
7. Food manners – but it’s cheese, mum. Cheese. I won’t eat it, I promise, but please can my nose touch it while I wait? Please?
8. Examination of the dog – Someone new to sit on their feet, grin at, and produce my most adorable dog routine. I really love you, I do, would you like to rub my belly?
9. Send to bed – sorry mum, I really did try. Ooh, you’re giving me another go. And there’s someone new on the settee I haven’t said hello to yet. !!!!!! the bed, I’ve got kisses to give, ears to nibble and look how far and fast I can jump when they’re least expecting it.
10. I can come back to the other assessments just to provide the entertainment value because I’m an absolute star ? But of course!

meritaten

jeez Elsien - I have to laugh, but sooooo admire your spirit of adventure!

give gitdog a treat from me (or at least a good belly rub!) I LOVE that dog!

Cant believe how you have 'tamed' the wild beast though - remember when you first posted about him? would you ever have thought he would get this far? and what would you do with a 'perfect' dog anyway?

elsien

If you remember, I wasn't keeping him because he was such hard work. Not sure what happened there.

Caroline_a

When my Shep did his GS Silver exam there were some new dogs there. On his long down stay a Boxer he'd never seen jumped on him, so I just hissed 'doooowwwwwwnnnn' when he lifted his head. To his credit he stayed there (and eventually passed). Did look very silly though with said disgraced boxer being dragged off his new cushion

tealady

Hi
Give Gitdog a belly rub from me as well, love to hear your adventures with him. Bet there is never a dull moment in your house!

Fosterdog

I really do enjoy your Gitdog adventures, you should do them as a weekly comic strip. He really does sound like one hell of a personality

sheramber

My retriever wouldn't touch the treat laid in front of her.............she just stretched across and ate the treat in front of the dog next to her.

lisa110rry

I also love gitdog's antics and the way you write about them elsien! How I wish you were near enough to go for a walk with.