Page 16 - Sloughi Review - Issue 1

THE SLOUGHI REVIEW 16

Food manners exercise was a doddle for She had been missing for a few weeks due
us, despite his mother having a reputation to being in season and on her return
and George being very fond of his food, as George was very interested in her and her
we had practised, from him being very owner Gary. During the rejoin handler
young. We don’t normally have the dogs in exercise when George was to be left off
close proximity when we are eating but on lead, I had to recall him from a distance of
the rare occasions when they are with us, 10 paces. George decided that Gary was
they know they are not allowed to beg or much more interesting and decided to go
steal. This exercise is also covered in the in the opposite direction and take a flying
gold award test, where the dog is offered leap at him, almost knocking him to the
food but not allowed to eat until given floor. The rest of that night was a complete
permission to do so. shambles as George could not concentrate
on anything. Despite everything we
Road walking was usually quite uneventful continued with the training and felt sure
as George had been used to going out into that we would get him through the next
different locations from an early age. He test. The date was set for 18th March and
was used to waiting at kerbsides until we were quietly confident, having been
instructed to cross. Some of the other through the bronze we now knew the
handlers used to remark about how calm procedure.
George was and that he seemed to take it
all in his stride and I used to reply with The night of the silver award test arrived
something like, "I hope we never meet a and again everyone was feeling rather
cat on our journey as you will see a nervous. We went through the same
different side to George" as by this time he procedures as before and there were no
had developed an intense dislike of cats. unfortunate incidents to recall. On this
Fortunately we never did encounter one on occasion we had to wait for the bronze test
our walks. to be completed before we were tested
and I’m not sure which was worse, going
Something else he had discovered by this first or having to wait. Everyone was again
time was girls, in particular a German successful and a great night was had by all.
Shorthaired Pointer called Freya.

Some of the dogs and handlers who were successful for the silver awards © Michael Atkinson