Good point! Must remember not to split phrases  No, it was the dog that pooped. He's very good about pooping nearby so we can pick it up easily.

They offer CGC testing at allot of shows, so check out the premiums.  Also, there are allot of training centers that offer CGC from time to time.  There are no formal classes required.  it is pretty easy if your dog is well socialized and has the basic obedience skills. Here is a link to the AKC website: www.akc.org/events/cgc/

Dang that is high for a CGC. The class I could see for the CGC because I imagine they teach basic obedience with a few extras to get you ready for the CGC.  I don't think I have ever paid more than $20 for the evaluations.  I have always done them at the center where I train. That said, the CGC is getting popular among folks that have dobes, GSDs, etc.  Allot of insurance companies will allow for insurance coverage if the dog has a CGC, so maybe that is why the price is higher these days.

To be fair, the person I spoke with was not sure and just guessing at the price for the test.

For us, it would just be something fun to do, so if it were $100, that would be too much, in my opinion.

You may be sorry you offered!  LOL 

I have the test/skills list from the AKC website.

My question:  On the "reaction to distraction."  What kind of reaction is acceptable?  If the dog jumps or is slightly startled by an unfamilar noise, is that okay, as long as the dog remains/appears calm and confident?

I would imagine cowering, shivering, hiding, barking would not be acceptable reactions?

In my experience the distractions are not meant to scare the dog, and the evaluators are very careful in having the distraction far enough away.  The dog can look or even startle, but they do not want the dog cowering or pulling away.  This shows security and confidence.  The distractions I have seen are a bowl dropped from about 1 foot up to the floor on the other side of the room, folks clapping on the other side of the room, someone riding a bicycle around at a distance, someone in a wheelchair at a distance, opening an unbrella, etc.  I have never seen an evaluation where the distraction was right on top of the dog.

Thanks for the input.
Bo seems pretty relaxed in the situations he's been in so far.

My last boxer, who we had from a puppy, was out and about a lot -- dog park, Petsmart, etc. She was VERY social! She was always curious and confident.
Once we were at Petsmart, and there was a man in a wheelchair. She was very apprehensive about it -- backed away, was a bit timid. I was surprised by her reaction, but I realized she had never seen a wheelchair before!

Bxr -  Things with wheels sometimes bother dogs.  Whether it is a wheelchair, a bicycle, a wagon, etc.  Belle who is now a therapy dog and isn't bothered by much, disliked anything with wheels when she was a puppy.  We used to go sit on the corner curb of our street and watch the kids on bikes, skateboards, etc.  Eventually she got used to them and would walk right up to them.  Later I spent quite a bit of time sitting in a wheel chair feeding her treats until she would come right up and even lay across my lap.  They just need to be exposed to stuff like that.  The umbrella is another one that bothers some dogs, and it is not something you think about either.  Mine were used to that as I often take them out walking and I have an umbrella I use when it is rainy. The other thing that helps them when they are exposed to distractions is the bond they have with you.  I know my girl, Halo, when introduced to a new distraction will look at me for a que about whether she should be worried.  If I react, so does she.  So, when you go down the path of the CGC or any training, do it with confidence and leave the nerves at home.  Your dog will perform much better for you.