Am I Crazy?

The answer is probably. I made the decision yesterday to sign Tori up for a CGC test on June 3rd. I even got the day off for it. Now I just need to register and pay. I'll be doing that in the next day or so. It's sponsored by the Houston Area Rhodesian Ridgeback Club (HARRC). It's taking place at Strawberry Dog in Spring, Texas and will also include the chance to play with some agility equipment - which is something I've been wanting to do with Tori. This would give us a chance to try it out and see if we like it.

I have my work cut out for me...She loves dogs and loves people, which is and is not the problem. She won't try to attack anybody but, well, let's just say she's very enthusiastic in her greetings. Plus, I usually walk her with a prong collar, which is not allowed during the CGC test. So...Tori and I have begun working on walking nicely on a buckle collar, on her attention to me and on the all important command - leave it. Hopefully, the last two will get us through the meet (but not over-exuberantly) a stranger and a stranger and their dog. She just seems to think she should play with every dog that comes along...I know, I know - it's my fault as I have not effectively communicated with her that she is not supposed to do that. So, we're working on it. We've taken three walks today so far (which she thinks is great!!) armed with lots of treats and, by the last one, she was walking on a pretty loose lead. My next step is to walk her over to the nearby PetCo and train her to do it there too (as well as ignore other dogs and people and to sit nicely for scratches).

I have to admit to being a little intimidated and unsure at my ability to train this dog to pass a CGC test in just over 2 weeks. (It's the time part, not the training part).

I just keep telling myself that if I can train a jaguar to willingly accept an injection by one of our vets within 3 weeks (success yesterday!!! He did walk off after the injection but he came right back!!), I can train my dog to be polite (or at least polite enough to pass the CGC test) in just over 2 weeks. Right?!

Breathe.......and repeat after me:

I can do this, I can do this, I can do this....

Wish me luck...I have a feeling I'm going to need it!