Sunday 5th April: Thanks to everyone who wished us well for the trial today. We passed the schutzhund 'BH Test'!
Schutzhund (German for 'Protection dog') is a very exacting form of dog competition which originates in Germany and was devised as a test for working (police etc) dogs. It covers disciplines of tracking, obedience and protection training.
BH test (BH = Abbreviation for 'Traffic Dog' in German) involves an obedience round of precise heelwork and sits, downs etc and a traffic portion where the judge can throw almost anything at a dog/handler team to see that they remain calm and steady under all circumstances. Amongst these things:
- We had to push through the middle of a rowdy football crowd of about 25 loud spectators without Gordon being fearful or aggressive.
- I then had to put Gordon into a down and the same people crowded in on us until they were all stood within a few inches all around him. One complete stranger walked right up to within 2" of his paws and he remained steady. Good lad!
- He then had to be tied up and left alone. A passive dog was walked past him when I was out of sight without any adverse reaction. He utterly disregarded the dog in fact - Great!
- Next we had to walk within a couple of feet of an oncoming cyclist, jogger and car on a narrow driveway, again without any adverse reaction.
Gordon passed the traffic test with flying colours, I'm glad to say. Many of my clients have met Gordon as he helps me to help others dogs who are aggressive or over-excited with other dogs, sometimes just by being present and not reacting. He's well balanced and calm and I think he quite fancies himself as Cesar Millan's dog, 'Daddy'! At the tender age of two and a half, he's getting there and I'm very proud of him. (I wish he could read this, bless him!). Once again, thanks to everyone who wished us well..
Graeme