The life and times of an English Airedale Terrier puppy

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Golden Boy

Hey, hey, hey, here's my certificate! Pretty nice isn't it? Do you like my expression? I'm trying to act like getting my gold was no big deal. Whatever! I am REALLY pleased with myself! It's already up on the wall with my other certificates and rosettes.

Here is is in close up.

To get my gold award I had to:

1 Sit - Dog to sit on command whilst a distance away from handler

2 Down - Dog to go into down position whilst a distance away from handler

3 Walk without a lead - Dog to walk by the side of handler and be able to halt, sit and move on without being on a lead

4 Come to heel - Dog to return to handler's side when called and continue walking to heel

5 Leave it - Dog to walk past and ignore food, tit bits and toys on the floor

6 Sit-stay - Dog to stay in the sit position for 5 minutes whilst a distance away from handler

7 Down-stay - Dog to stay in a down position for 5 minutes whilst a distance away from handler

8 Seek - Dog to seek out and bring back an article (one of the dog's toys or article supplied by trainer)


Along with my silver award which I passed in March. Here's what I had to do.

1 Sit - Dog to sit in front & at each side of the handler & stay until told to move

2 Down - Do to go into a down position in front & at each side of handler & stay in that position until told to move

3 Walk on a loose lead - Dog to walk in a controlled manner in a circle & a figure of eight pattern

4 Come when called - Dog to come back to handler on command ignoring any distractions & have a lead attached

5 Leave it - Dog to walk past & around other dogs in a controlled manner

6 Calmness - Dog to wait patiently whilst owner has a conversation with another person

7 Fetch - Handler to throw an article. The dog must pick up the article, bring it back & allow the handler to take it from them

8 Car - Dog to enter & leave a car in a controlled manner

And my bronze which I passed just before Christmas. In order to pass this I had to:

1 Sit - Dog to sit in front of the handler

2 Down - Dog to go into down position in front of handler

3 Walk on a loose lead -No pulling

4 Come when called

5 Leave it - Leave/ignore a titbit of food

6 Play - Dog and handler to play with a toy and dog to allow handler to take the toy

7 Controlled greeting - Dog to meet people without jumping up

8 Vet check - Dog to allow handler to inspect teeth, ears, eyes and body

9 Grooming - Dog to allow handler to groom it

10 Doorway situation - Dog to allow handler to go through a gate or doorway first while waiting calmly until called through

When I first started classes at the end of October I had only been with mum and dad a month or so and I was pretty crazy still. It was hard to imagine I'd ever pass this level, never mind progress any further. I guess that goes to show you what you can do if you put your mind to it. I love a good challenge!

And I'll need to. Tracey gave mum and I the criteria for the platinum award last night and all I can say is....GULP!

1 Drop on recall - Dog to be left in the sit position, to be called but must stop and go into down position where indicated

2 Stand stay - Dog to stay in the stand position for two minutes

3 Sit stay - Dog to stay in the sit position for five minutes whilst the handler is out of sight

4 Down stay - Dog to stay in the down position for five minutes whilst the handler is out of sight

5 Heelwork - Dog to heel at normal, slow and fast pace whilst off the lead

6 Leave it - Dog to walk past/over food and toys whilst off lead. Only voice commands are allowed

7 Distance control - Dog must go into the sit, down and stand position whilst the handler is at least 2 yards away (just under 2 metres)

8 Scent - Dog to retrieve the piece of cloth with the handler's scent on it (from 3 pieces of cloth)

9 Send away - Dog to go to an indicated point. No aids are allowed

10 Retrieve - Dog to retrieve and article of the judges choice

Yikes! I reckon I can do numbers 2, 5, 6, 7 and 10 without too much difficulty, but 5 minute sits and downs while mum isn't there, hmm! Ah well, I guess learning that little lot will keep me out of mischief for a while!

Licks

Oscar x

38 comments:

Amber-Mae said...

Congrats to you Oscar! Oooo... the Platinum level sounds hard. I'm actually in that level right now but we call it Intermediate level here. I can pretty much do all of them but NOT pawfect! Can do but need to brush up a bit... I haven't learn Send Away tho.

Love licks,
Solid Gold Dancer

Suki & Joey said...

Oh my doG, Oscar, that stuff sounds so hard! I can't do most of that stuff, but I bet Airedales are more willing to be trained than pugs. We're kinda stubborn sometimes ;)

Congrats!
Puggy kisses
Suki

Molly the Airedale said...

Congratulations Oscar! You make us Airedales really proud! How come the Great Britain flag isn't going up behind you in your picture??!!

Love ya lots,
Maggie

Katherine and Pippa said...

You are very clever Oscar.

Where is the one that says dog to remain totally disinterested when cat runs past?

Pippa

Johann The Dog said...

Congrats Oscar that's great - The Platinum does look tough, but you'll do it. Look at all you've done already. Also wanted to congrat you on the Awesome Blog Award - you have a great blog!

--Johann

Ruby Bleu said...

Wow Oscar...you are so talented. I want to be just like you. I know I'd get LOTS of special snackies if I could do all that stuff!

I can't wait to hear about your progress for your platnium certificate!


Lots of Licks, Ruby

Tadpole said...

Whoa. I just don't know what to say. I'm so impressed, Oscar! And you'll get your platinum in no time at all, I'm sure of it! :-)

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

weeeeeelllll! Oscar, I think you are probably the most cleverest dog I have ever met......I am just exhausted reading all the stuff you have done, and you still have to do more.

My Dog, think I will go for a snooze now after that!

love and tired licks, Marvin xxxxx
But well done you! Clever Oscar! My hero!

love and amazed licks, from your Scottish Pal, Marvin xxxxx

Anonymous said...

Wow you are super cool! Those awards are awesome looking. You are so smart to know all of those! Humm.. I wonder when you are groomed, are you kicked out for snarling but not biting, ha rooo!!!
Hugs,
Sitka

Asta said...

Oscar, Oscar,
I'm back! I've missed you, and look what you've done while I was away WOW!!!!!!CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
You should be extwemely pwoud of yourself! I 'm suwe you're up to getting the platinum awawd in no time..I'm tewwible at all those things, gulp, I've a lot to learn
smoochie kisses
Asta

coco said...

you are the perfect gentledog, oscar. congratulations on your beautiful award. you look so handsome sitting there next to it, so well mannered and sophisticated.
i haven't had any formal training yet, but one day it would be so nice to be as highly educated as you.

are they gonna start calling you
"sir oscar" now???!!

awe-struck, coco

Jessica said...

Wow Oscar....You have more degrees than any other dog we know. And now you are going for your doctorate. You go!!!

Congratulations!!!!

Love, Seadra and Zoe

Pippin, the Gentle Pup said...

Good for you Oscar--you are really a prodigy to have mastered all of that in such a short time-are you even a year old yet?

Do your people want to have you compete against other dogs too?

Now, what have you been able to teach your people?

See ya
Pippin

Joe Stains said...

wow, congrats! I can sit and um, beg for french fries!

The Airechicks said...

Smart & handsome - Oscar you're the whole package....

Your Mum & Dad must be very PROUD of you.....

Your certificates are very impressive....

Huskee and Hershey said...

Congrats Oscar! I am TOTALLY impressed.. I don't think I can do 50% of those things listed..

Chelsea said...

I think you look quite proud by your gold award and so you should be. I took a similar course, I went to puppy class when I was really small and then to an advanced training class. I passed the advanced class only because the trainer fell in love with me. I really did not want to listen to Mama and her commands while there was food, toys, treats and other people around.
By the way, I chewed a piece off of my certificate when I got home cuz I am mischevious like that.

xoxoxo
Chelsea

Urban Smoothie Read said...

bronze, silver n gold!! u hd them all....so wat's next?!

Girl Girl Hamster said...

Oscar, your certificates are so impressive. :) And you look very handsome posing with them

~ girl girl

Gwyn Valentine said...

Wow look at that...
I am so proud to have a smart friend like you. Can we hang out more often so maybe my IQ will be better too!!!

Love,
Reina

Faya said...

Tu peux ĂȘtre fier de toi Oscar ! Et surtout je crois en toi ... tu vas y arriver je n'en doute pas un instant....
Gros bisous, Ta Faya-aux-pattes-de-canard !

PreciOus said...

You are so smart, Oscar. I'm so ashamed to say I can't do any of it.

Snuggle,
Precious

Balboa said...

All those awards! WOW, you are one educated and sophisticated Doggie!

Frenchie Snorts
Balboa

Luckie Girl said...

Hey Oscar,
I am soooo ashamed. I doubt I can do like even 10% of what is listed. But you know what? I'm proud to have you as my friend!! Well done!!

Lorenza said...

Hi, Oscar.
Congratulations!! I don't have the right words, but you are GREAT!!
I can't do any of those commands! You know I am a wild girl!!
Your parents most be very proud of you!!
Have a nice day
Lorenza

Bentley and Niko said...

Congratulations! You can do a lot of Stuff! Bentley went to School but I haven't yet!

-Niko

Frasier said...

I have always heard that Airedales were smart but now I believe it.Thats a lot to learn,you are super smart...
Will your parents make you a show dog ?
Frasier

JAZZ AND DIXIE said...

Yay for you Oscar!! Wow what a smart pup taking gold, silver and bronze! We are proud to know you Oscar.
Licks
Jazz and Dixie

Anonymous said...

Congrats that is so neat! And you sure are a cutie. I just LOVE Airedales! If I was ever brave enough to get a terror... errr terrier, I'd get an Airedale. :)

fee said...

you are so clever, oscar! i would've failed the leave-food-and-tidbit segment over and over again. are u going out for a celebration later?

Loui (and his mum!) said...

Woweeeeeeee Oscar, what a star you are! I am very impressed with you and the certificates. The only certificates I have are the ones to say I have got my vaccinations each year....

Loui xx

Mississauga Kids said...

Miss Ellie in Canada would like to congratulate you on this great accomplishment...

You lost her at "Enter and Leave a Car in a controlled Manner".

But she is proud of you!

Anne

the many Bs said...

Wow Oscar, you are one talented and well behaved dog. Congratulations on your GOLD Award. You can do the platinum, but it's going to take a lot of concentration.

Putter said...

Hi Oscar! Hi!

Congratulations! These training awards are really cool! I am also so excited about your awesome blog award! Congratulations! I will talk to you soon!

Your Friend,

Putter ...:)

Rachael said...

That platinum level sounds challenging but I bet you can do it Oscar! You are one smart puppy! Congratulations on your big achievement and good look going platinum!

Stanley said...

Oscar boy!!

Congratulations, man! My head is spinning with all the things you can do. I'm lucky if I can wait a few seconds after my dinner is set down before going nose first into the dish.

Is platinum really the next level? I thought it would be the bacon award.

Goober love,
Stanley

Myeo said...

We think you are so smart cos most of the stuff sounds so tough.

Love
Boy n Baby

Persephone and Buster said...

congratulations on winning the gold!! i like obedience and also rally.. but i think they do things different here in the great u.s.of a..... i did the cgc (canine good citizens test) and every now and then we will do a novice a obed....i think my momm said we have a couple of legs in that and in rally.. i hate to clue her in ... i have 4 legs and she has 2 and there's not much else to say.. i think she's pulling my leg -- i really do.