Lucas has been going to training classes for some time now to help gain confidence around other dogs and he loves it, he knows when it's Thursday and as soon as we've had lunch he's running around the house and sitting by the front door waiting to get into the car.

Well today, well into middle years he has passed his bronze good citizen award, didn't put a paw wrong other that not lifting his nose more than two inches off the floor as we did our turn around the hall!  I'm sure most of you have the almost amazing well trained dogs, but I was really proud of him - brought a tear to my eye! He's now going for silver & he'll really have to work for that!

So pleased for you and your boy.

Congratulations!

That's just lovely.... and definitely puts down those claims you can't teach an old[er] dog new tricks :)

Thats so good. maybe one day I will have ago with my 4 year old

Big congratulations, so lovely to hear about your boy. Very well done and good luck with the silver. The fact that you are both enjoying your classes is the most important thing !!!
I think sometimes there is far too much emphasis but on the age the dog passes its KCGC tests. IMHO it is not a race, and some dogs need longer to develop both in mind as well as body. A good mix of ages in a class is a good thing as the older dogs have a more settling influence on the younger ones, and they can learn more from a more mature dog, than we could ever teach them.

Ahh brilliant, sounds like you've had a great time and well done Lucas.

You are right no dog is too old....a while back a lady came to our Bronze class with her 10 year old Flat Coat and passed the Bronze Award, she just wanted to get out and do something with her.

Well done Lucas, a proud day for all your family!

I must have had some kind of loony moment when I decided a few months ago that I was going to take two of mine to do their bronze award training--the older boy (aka mother's pet, who panics if he's told to stay in case I run away and leave him forever with murderous strangers) passed his bronze (phew! although we had to avoid the word stay at all costs) and we ran out of time on the night to put the younger boy through his, but I know he can do it.

My oldest boy hasn't gone to obedience training for two years but I was persuaded to enter him for his test and a fund day for dogs--he gave me this look as if to say "you know I can do this" and then went ahead and put in a faultless performance.

Well done to you both!!!

Put that rosette on the christmas right at the top instead of a fairy!!

Fridge door is the place for laminated certificates!! Followed by moving the ever growing collection to the wall!! As you'll be flying through the silver, most of my lot find the silver easier as they and the dogs are prepared for it and know what to expect. Good for you onwards and upwards!!

LOL only the oldest boy is going forward for his silver at this stage, I can't take the stress with Jack yet...and I don't suppose he can either. The idea of getting him to stay down for any longer period is asking a bit much of him, and as for a down out of sight...

LOVE the idea of rosettes on the Christmas tree :) :) :)!

Well done to both of you...really well done.   The main things is, that both of you seem to be enjoying yourselves as well.
As soon as you start putting time restraints on things, you start putting unnecessary  pressures on.    At the end of the day, no dog, however good or bad he/she may be at training, is ever too old to have a bash.
When you look around, you will see so many dogs around that are really badly behaved and often, through no fault of their own.....it's often down to the owners - not putting the effort in.   So give yourself a pat on the back as well.
The KC tests are wonderful at instilling good, sensible, basic training at all age levels and in some cases provide the incentive to go on to further things.
Well done to you.....look forward to hearing when you pass your Gold.......

> look forward to hearing when you pass your Gold.......

He's enjoying the silver class, but Gold LOL, think you're in for a long wait!

Ahem.....didn't you think that about bronze??? Look what happened there!! Faith my dear faith!! Have faith in your training abilities!!

Rather than thinking " Oh my goodness he'll never do that!!" Take him into the test thinking "Let me show just HOW good my dog IS"

And remember whatever happens you'll be taking the best dog home always!!

On one of the warmest afternoons of the year so far, Lucas has proudly achieved his silver award. He enjoys classes so much we will continue & try for Gold, but also to prove to our trainer who thinks the breed are untrainable that it can be done!

That's just lovely - congratulations to you and Lucas.  Celebrate!

Very well done!!!

Well done in gaining his silver, go on and prove them wrong, you can get gold!!! Took me a couple of attempts with both my Bernese but we got there :-)
I know many a stubborn untrainable breed, includes hounds who have achieved their gold, some on their first attempt and others on their 2nd!!

> I know many a stubborn untrainable breed, includes hounds who have achieved their gold

yes there was a deerhound in a class when I took mine and she passed her gold.

Wolfhounds in mine

well done Lucas! I started on silver with my soon to be 6 year old boy but had to give it up because of pressure of work, but we will get back to it soon I hope :-)

Just an update & a very small brag, three years on & Lucas nearer 11 than 10 deservedly passed Gold yesterday afternoon. His recall has' slowed' down slightly, he sits looking at me to say 'you've got to be joking I've just sat down' but he's done it & have to admit quietly wept he's done so well. Bless him I'm so chuffed.

Oh that is wonderful news, huge well done to you both! We are attempting our Gold next weekend (with a much younger dog!) but I don't think she'll do the relaxed isolation....

l"> but I don't think she'll do the relaxed isolation...

Good Luck, Think Lucas went to sleep LOL!

Congrats! Mine are all working towards silver so hope to be announcing a gold win in the futre!

Well done!! It's never too late, and a slow recall is still a recall. :) Also there is nothing but nothing as special as an oldie -pups are cute but oldies are so special.

I love the GC tests and recently counted up how many I have done, when I last took a few some weeks ago. I need to do just one more to hit 50. 25 Bronze, 14 Silver and 10 Gold.

Congratulations    :-)

Congrats to all shouldn't you be an examiner by now Goldmali?

I am doing my bronze now but my biggest achievement is the change of opinion in my trainers of shih tzus. Last week one said to me that when she gets another dog she is thinking of a shih tzu. She currently has a collie and working cocker. This week she said she talks about my little one all the time - how she just wants to do, do, do,

I can't think that would of happened if I hadn't listened to C D (remember puppyfarmgate) who told me to research my breeder.. My breeder was so indignant when I said their first comments were that as a breed they were a bit thick and has been howling with laughter as she has progressively proved them all wrong!

Cheers again all on CD she makes me look so good in class !

Another cheer here for the oldies.  My rescue GSD girl, 91/2 (had her a little over a year now) passed her bronze award back in July. Bless her, training is not her forte, as she seems to shut down if the instructions/commands are too forceful, so I have to train her very sensitively.  I was so proud of her too, as she hates not being glued to me, so the down stay was hard for her, but she did it brilliantly.  They are never to old to do new things!

Vive le oldies!!

Well done!

Good for her! There used to be a lady who worked her shih tzu in rally - he was fabulous on lead, but oh so stubborn off lead. My impression of them as a breed is that they are perfectly intelligent - but very strong willed!