Dog Scout Testing day!

We held our monthly Dog Scout meeting on Saturday Feb 13, 2010. After the business portion of our meeting concluded, we started testing several dogs for different badges. The first badge we worked on was for Basic Manners.

To earn their Basic Manners badge the Scouts need to pass certain tests. Heeling with us as they follow (and TOUCH) our hand is one. In this they need to walk several steps at our side and make a full turn, following the direction of our hand and touching when told to. They also need to be able to *go to bed* when told. Which means they have their own blanket, rug etc and when the owner gives them the command to go to bed (from at least 10 feet away) they must go right to their blanket and lay down on it. We are only allowed to give them one cue to do this! It's NOT as easy as it sounds either! Here Bailey is doing his best to impress Gayle!

The dogs also have to walk up to a *stranger* when given permission to go *say hi* and then they are to sit and wait quietly while being petted.  Sophie is doing her best to pass this one!

The dogs aren't the only ones who have top pass a test. Each owner must demonstrate that we know and understand the use of *Operant Conditioning* with our dogs (using a *reward marker* in their training). An oral test is then given to each of the owenrs, and we too must pass our portion of the exam for the dog to quallify for their badge! Dog Scouts is a team effort!

One of the more difficult tests for the dogs to pass is waiting inside a door when the owner walks out. By command they are to sit and wait in place until the owner calls them through the open door with them and they the dog is to get back into a controlled position. Sara and Saba are showing their expertise in this step.

They also need to stand and wait while someone else runs a hand down over their back etc. The dog needs to hold their stand position. A down command using one command is also a must, as well as from the down position the dog needs to be able to move when given the command so that they get up out of our way as we walk in a direct line to where they are laying down. We also have to show our dogs will get down off of a person or an object when told too.

We are proud to announce the Scouts who passed their Basic Manners Saturday!

Please congratulate Sophie Dudley, Bailey Burger, Lugnut Day, and  Saba Barefoot.

We also tested for our First Aid Badges Saturday. A big Thank You WOOF to Gayle Sprinkle who taught the First Aid class to the rest of us and tested owners/dogs for their badges. All owners had to demonstrate on their own dogs, how to take a pusle and count respirations and take the temperature of each of our dogs (giving Gayle their correct numbers). We also had to apply an emergency muzzle and a regular *hard* muzzle on our own dogs. The dogs then had to show they could walk several steps and sit with the muzzle on. We had to show capillary refill and the mucus condition of our own pets. Along with all of this we also had to decide on an *injury* to our pet and bandage accordingly, and then show two methods of emergency transport on our pets. Lugnut being the biggest of the bunch was the most difficult to move but Gayle and I persevered and moved him, albeit not very far! Here Sophie is practicing being the *injured* pet.

Following are the hard working Scouts who each passed their First Aid badge as well.

We have Sophie, Halle, Bailey, Lugnut, Noche, Saba and Jacque as our newest First Aid badge Scouts

Below are all of our Scouts who are now First Aid Scouts.

Charlie, Halle, Bailey, Sophie, Lugnut, Noche, Saba, Oslo, Ted and Jacques

Congratulations to all of our hard working Scouts!