I used to think it was silly, but now.......... - Page 1

OK, I admit it, I used to think everyone was silly when they said "I NEVER LET ANYONE PET MY DOG IN PUBLIC".... My mind has changed.

Our club did 2 fundraisers. We did some obedience, some tug work and let everyone that wanted pet our dogs...........
At a trial this weekend, my dog decided he was at a fundraiser when checking in for BH... OOPS.

Yes, if you're going to trial a dog, its better not to confuse it by letting people walk up to you and pet it.

So now the question is how do I fix it?

I don't understand.
When you check in, you will have to do the temperament test and the dog should be friendly.
How does that conflict with allowing your dog to be petted?

So now the question is how do I fix it?

Simple! More obedience training and clearer rules for the dog.

The problem is not: people being allowed or not allowed to pet your dog.  It goes beyond that, it is a matter of training.

This is a training problem, not a petting problem. You need to train your dog to have better focus when working. He should be very clear on the difference between working and down time.

I can't imagine telling people not to pet my dogs and strongly encourage it, especially with my youngest that doesn't like other people to touch him. I am way more fun than other people and my dogs will leave petting the second it looks like it's time to do something.

You guys are mean. Stop yelling at the op.

Your dog should be stoked when it sees a trial field. It should know that it is there for protection or obedience. Through training, it should know what phase you are entering the field. Clubs practice the check in etc, weeks prior, but I agree with these mean people. When you go out to practice your obedience during training, have a club member, or better yet, a stranger to play judge. Work on it.

Utilize those festivals and other outtings to do obedience too. My dog is happy to be friendly with strangers, but the second I tell her to "fuss" or something, she ignores them.

Clarify work mode vs. social mode.  Maybe build in a ritual if that will help the dog.

Trial was same weekend as our regional show, I was so busy with paperwork for 3-4 weeks before the show, that I wasn't able to train much, and then only in my own back yard..

The positive is that this BH was much, much better than the last one. Except for greeting the judge, Bravo did what he was supposed to do.

We've been working on a better front on long down, so he stopped too far away paused and self corrected... points off, but proud of my boy. The other issue was that he was used to going 5 paces after the second about turn and being nervous i want 8 steps, again he self corrected - note to self, don't be as predictable... I totally messed up the group, so we did it 3 times - 2 on leash and 1 off, but Bravo was fine thru all of it.

Plannig on IPO 1 in March or April......he will be ready.

oh...ok, now I know what you mean...yes, as the other posters said...your obedience training has to be proofed before you go into the next trial :). Don't stop letting your dog get petted.
Good luck!