[Dailydrool] Gumbo's tests

[Sabrina]

Dale asked about the tests to become a BARK dog. Gumbo had to pass 
the CGC to qualify for the BARK evaluation. The BARK evaluation 
included everything on the CGC and also a few more tests. While the 
person in charge spoke to the group (10 dogs/handlers), evaluators 
were looking to see that all the dogs settled down within a few 
minutes. Another test was having four people closely surround (swarm) 
Gumbo; we were told that kids do this all the time. For another test, 
we all sat on opposing park benches. An adult and two rowdy 8 year 
old boys ran, skipped, jumped between us making as much noise as they 
could; the dogs had to remain calm. Another test was a man with a 
metal bucket who approached each dog and made a loud clanging noise; 
the dogs had to remain calm. We had to walk with our dog on a loose 
leash, an informal heel. During the time we were there (in a park), 
three evaluators watched us all to see how we interacted with our dogs.

Gumbo is afraid of some dogs. I walked around when I could and always 
positioned him as far as possible from the scary Newfoundland and the 
Bernese Mountain Dog. They both flunked. The Bernese Mountain Dog 
actually pulled the evaluator out of the chair and tipped the chair 
over when she was supposed to be waiting quietly for her owner; I 
guess Gumbo knew she wasn't safe. After we passed the evaluation, we 
had to visit one of a number of public libraries three times for 
reading with dogs session; that was probation. It was difficult for 
Gumbo because some of the other dogs scared him. I learned to 
position him on his blanket facing the wall, making it easier for him 
to ignore the other dogs. We're glad to be going to a school, where 
he'll be the only dog.

Sabrina, Gumbo the BARK dog, and Ellie