Hi All,

Having worked through Nando's nervous behaviour around other dogs I now feel comfortable enough to introduce him to a group scenario.

I'm going to take him back to agility but a friend is getting a GSD puppy over the next week and her current GSD has her gold silver and bronze and so we have discussed taking Nando for his bronze to start with.

He is three and is great but vocal and strong minded.

Is bronze an achievable goal or is it only for puppies?

Bronze is VERY easy and I bet Nando could pass it tomorrow as he isn't a dog that has had no training at all. You can do it at any age. I once did it with a 9 year old rescue. :)

Definitely achievable, and you can always go to training and see how he gets on, try the test, and if he doesn't pass then no biggie :) you can just keep training and try again. It is quite a basic test though so I'm sure he would be fine. I have known a dog not pass because of poor temperament, but if it's just a bit of typical GSD whineyness I wouldn't worry. Most examiners set the test up in a way to give you the best opportunity to pass, they aren't looking to 'fail' anyone :) I've certainly tested some strong minded dogs in my time but I like character! Go for it :)

Go for it! My noisy monster Cavalier just passed her Silver at 2 years old, I'm sure Nando would have no trouble passing his Bronze.

Go for it, out of 3 GSD (inc Zuma) 2 xbreeds and a Rott   ALL passed the bronze but only the 1st GSD and the Rott ever went to GC class, the others we just entered the test and they passed as did the 3 who got Silver with no classes.

He doesn't generally react to humans but when he does it looks quite scary. In actual fact his tail is going ten to the dozen and it's more of a frustrated greeting and excitement than aggression. He sounds bloody awful though!

Think you're worrying too much, sign him up and get onto the class!!

Do it! Do it! Do it!

I have just completed the bronze with my 2 year old girls and am now doing it with the 1 year old. When (if, as she is a right madam) she passes I will do it with my 5 year old boy.

I have already decided I will go forward for silver for all of them. Its a win-win situation. The dogs learn to socialise as well as training and you get to make friends with like minded people.

I hope you and your boy enjoy it as much as we have.

Definitely do it! As everyone says, it's a good start for you and Nando and you can decide from there where you want to carry on to your silver award--which will require work :-)