[94Magna_Tom]

Yes, Yes, Yes! Squirrels like to bite off the top of Tulips! Just for fun I think🤔! Pesky little critters!
The do it on many of my Tulips, but not to the ones in my "Tulip bed". It's a raised bed bordered with rocks; for some reason it's (raised rock border) a deterrent.
If I took an updated picture of this fresh row of Tulips, there'd be 3 or 4 "topless" Tulips. There's already one cut of behind Elroy's tail in this photo, but it not obvious since he's hiding the plant behind him. You can see by the spacing there's one missing. Oops! That's a good reason to have so many!

 

[94Magna_Tom]

Elroy's CGC test is next Monday. I think he'll pass, but no guarantee. The "no treats" part will make a couple of the tasks challenging. The "Reaction to Another Dog" has been challenging. Our practice class sessions have all been done simultaneously so 8 humans and dogs moving at once. The test will be done alone with the teachers non-reactive dog, so it should go easier that it does in class. Same concern with the "Out for a Walk" task. In class, everyone is walking at once. We'll be practicing. Do you guys think I should refrain from practicing on the day of the test? The "Accepting a Friendly Stranger" has improved quite a lot and I'm pretty sure this won't be an issue. Any last minute tips?

 

[Liz]

Be prepared for test day jitters! The first time we took it, we were well prepared for the tests, but I hadn't realized how much Mia would respond to my energy. At the beginning, I was a little keyed up, and when the end was in sight, I got a little excited. She responded by being a little stressed at the beginning, then tiring out, then becoming more reactive (she wasn't calm around the other dog). Lesson learned!

 

[BennieJets]

Best of luck!!!

 

[Spottytoes]

I wish you and Elroy the very best! It is nerve racking for sure but I worked hard to be confident and relaxed despite the jitters. Bobby needed calm. Bobby did pass. I walked Bobby before the test so he wouldn’t be too excited but I personally thought, at least for us, practicing stuff the day of, would create more stress so I just kept it to a couple of good walks. I think some exercise is good but not so much the dog is too tired. I tried to keep the day mellow but burn off a bit of the normal young dog energy. 😉 As with so many things, each dog is different.
Did you practice in class using no treats?
The last class before the test we did it all with no treats for practice.
I’m guessing people more experienced will have more to offer than I. 😊

 

[Miki]

I wish you and Elroy the very best! It is nerve racking for sure but I worked hard to be confident and relaxed despite the jitters. Bobby needed calm. Bobby did pass. I walked Bobby before the test so he wouldn’t be too excited but I personally thought, at least for us, practicing stuff the day of, would create more stress so I just kept it to a couple of good walks. I think some exercise is good but not so much the dog is too tired. I tried to keep the day mellow but burn off a bit of the normal young dog energy. 😉 As with so many things, each dog is different.
I’m guessing people more experienced will have more to offer than I. 😊

Every thing you've posted about Bobby makes me adore him. You are both blessed. Hugs to all of you. 🤗

 

[Skylar]

Be prepared for test day jitters! The first time we took it, we were well prepared for the tests, but I hadn't realized how much Mia would respond to my energy. At the beginning, I was a little keyed up, and when the end was in sight, I got a little excited. She responded by being a little stressed at the beginning, then tiring out, then becoming more reactive (she wasn't calm around the other dog). Lesson learned!

I actually expected Theo to fail the first time through. We missed the first class, it was in a building he had never been before, all large barking dogs and at 9 months he was very immature. I saw the test as a run through to see where our weaknesses were. Normally I have jitters in competition. Between my low expectation and focus on keeping Theo’s attention on me through the whole exam we passed.

Shift your goals from passing the CGC to 2-3 small things that you have worked on including Elroy should have a positive experience.

Keep things low key on the day. Don’t tire Elroy with excess exercise. You can do some fun training. I wouldn’t work on the exercises in the test. Instead do something that enhances “teamwork “ like rally.

While you can’t treat (or have treats on you) or lure during the exam, there will be breaks where you can go back to your seat and give him a treat.

Have fun with Elroy.

 

[94Magna_Tom]

I wish you and Elroy the very best! It is nerve racking for sure but I worked hard to be confident and relaxed despite the jitters. Bobby needed calm. Bobby did pass. I walked Bobby before the test so he wouldn’t be too excited but I personally thought, at least for us, practicing stuff the day of, would create more stress so I just kept it to a couple of good walks. I think some exercise is good but not so much the dog is too tired. I tried to keep the day mellow but burn off a bit of the normal young dog energy. 😉 As with so many things, each dog is different.
Did you practice in class using no treats?
The last class before the test we did it all with no treats for practice.
I’m guessing people more experienced will have more to offer than I. 😊

Yes. We did the last class with no treats. That is until he didn't follow commands. The tasks I mentioned we had trouble with are the ones he didn't do without treats. I'm hoping when there are less distractions (other classmates and dogs), he'll do all of them.

 

[Rose n Poos]

Wishing you both success! We know he's got it in him, if he'll just let it out

 

[94Magna_Tom]

Wishing you both success! We know he's got it in him, if he'll just let it out

That's the truth!

 

[lily cd re]

I am sure you and Elroy will do fine, even if you hit a bumpy moment. If you keep your head together then Elroy will too.

 

[Kukla the Tpoo]

Good luck!

 

[94Magna_Tom]

I've always noticed Elroy's hocks are pretty close to each other when walking, but being new to dogs, I didn't know anything about cow hocked. I've come to realize he has this structural defect. Elroy is definitely cow hocked. It doesn't seem to affect him thus far. Hope it never does. He's from champion lineage so hopefully that'll help ward away any future luxating patella issues. I also now realize that I don't take many pictures of Elroy from behind. I'll get some soon.

 

[Rose n Poos]

Maybe in different pictures, but I don't really see it. How do they appear when he's standing?

Neo's normal relaxed stance looks very different from when he's moving.
(I also have few rear shot photos, I think because I'm always trying to capture his face )

 

[94Magna_Tom]

It's difficult to get him to stand and stay while I walk behind to take a picture. Here's some rear view shots. It is what it is and doesn't matter, he's my love bug no matter. Just thought I'd throw it out here to see what feedback I might get. I think the video above shows it best.

 

[Liz]

Well, Tom, in a few days there's going to be a little less of him from this angle.

 

[Skylar]

Poodle structure and official AKC standards

Muzzle / Head bone structure

super-novas-standard-poodles.weebly.com

This website has PCA Illustrated Standard diagrams that show the structure.

I'm not good at judging these things so I leave it up to those with a keener, more educated eye.

 

[TeamHellhound]

In my experience, it's the very rare dog, of any breed, that actually meets the "straight" requirement as mentioned in the standard(s). Pretty much all dogs are either cow hocked or bowlegged to some extent.

 

[Rose n Poos]

My impression is that this is judged when standing, not necessarily when moving. Is it both?

The structure would have to affect the movement, I'd expect, but how is it judged in the ring?

 

[94Magna_Tom]

Elroy woddles when walking casually. When looking from above, his butt moves significantly side to side. Is this how your standards gait is? I think the "woddle" is related to the cow hocks.

As far as "a little less of him...", Yes. But only by the smallest amount!😜 Vasectomy, not neuter.