Tomorrow is Kozmo’s first class at a new facility. The goal of this 5-week class is to prepare him to take, and pass the Canine Good Citizen exam. I’ve been telling everyone, especially myself, that he doesn’t have to pass in 5 weeks. We can take the class twice. I’m anxious.
I went back and read the 10 items Kozmo will be tested on in order to be a certified Canine Good Citizen. After our weekend I think this may be an achievable goal after all. Below is the list of test items to become a Canine Good Citizen:
Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
Test 3: Appearance and grooming (letting a stranger pick up his feet and look in his ears will require practice)
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
Test 5: Walking through a crowd
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
Test 7: Coming when called
Test 8: Reaction to another dog
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
Test 10: Supervised separation (this is the big one, if he can do this I think he might just pass)
I’m not saying that this will be easy or that we both don’t need work, but I think it’s possible. Kozmo had a busy weekend that was quite different than his usual long hikes. We took him on two very long walks through town, much different than the woods. We walked along busy streets and encountered other people walking, some with dogs and some with strollers, and lots of traffic. He did really well. A minivan full of teenaged girls stopped at a stop sign told us they loved Kozmo. One girl even asked if she could pet Kozmo. As the young girls frantically took photos with their cell phones a lot of high pitched squealing was involved and Kozmo took it all in stride.
Yesterday was a busy day for Kozmo. He started with a bath. Not the usual bathtub bath but a trip to the dogwash. This was a totally new experience and he went right into the building with me and watched the other dogs getting a bath through the window. I needed to get a token and didn’t have cash. We had to go to the office and the guy working greeted Kozmo. Kozmo sat down and offered a paw for shake. Obviously I was beaming with pride and it showed. We were given a gift bag of dog treats.
Kozmo went to my friend’s photography studio and was in a new place and met two new people. He was happy and didn’t bark. I put his crate in the waiting room while working in the next room and Kozmo just accepted it was his crate and chilled.
I took Kozmo on a short walk though a park he had never been to before. A guy with a small little girl approached us and asked if the little girl could meet the dog. This little girl was tiny, I’m guessing two or three years old. She was very shy with blonde hair and glasses. I told her dad I couldn’t guarantee that Kozmo wouldn’t try to jump. He assured me it was ok and said she really wanted to meet him. The dad kneeled down beside the little girl and I made Kozmo sit. The little girl reached out to pet Kozmo and Koz just started licking her face and glasses. The little girl got the biggest smile. I gave her a treat that she could offer to Kozmo, and Kozmo very gently took from her hand. I was very proud that Kozmo was so gentle and made this little girl smile.
The biggest test of all was our last visit of the day. A friend is visiting from out of town and a few people were gathered at his mom’s house. My friend’s mom is not at all a pet person and a meticulous housekeeper. Getting approval to even enter the house with Kozmo was an accomplishment. We went into the living room; Kozmo sat down and let everyone meet him. Kozmo was bored and wanted to run and play. Sitting properly in the formal living room wasn’t really his idea of fun. Kozmo humored me and showed off the few tricks he knows; sit, shake, high five, down, play dead, and spin. We didn’t stay long but he didn’t damage anything or make any messes and he never required the mom of the house to raise her voice or get out of her chair so we are calling it a very successful visit.
Kozmo and I were out of the house for about ten hours. When we came home I’m pretty sure I could see a look of disappointment on Sparky’s face. I think the poor cat got his hopes up that the dog wouldn’t be coming back. Another minor victory, Kozmo was too focused on being home and getting dinner that he didn’t try to chase the cat.
We need to work on some things but now I’m more excited than anxious to begin our Canine Good Citizen classes. Kozmo has sure come a long way from the dog we brought home from the shelter 3 months ago.
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