Chopper passed the ATTS “Temperament Test” this morning at the Falconhurst Police K9 Corps in Saginaw, MI under Sergeant AJ Slaughter III. Sgt. Slaughter said this was the first time he has done this test and had only working breeds show up (yikes! pressure). Chopper was the only dog not a “working” dog (all the others do SchH and/or police work) and not part of Sgt. Slaughter’s club. I may be biased, but I think she blew most of the others out of the water! Especially the “footing” test where the dog has to loose leash walk (with NO command given) over a long strip of plastic and some weird metal grating on the ground. Several of the other dogs either leaped off the material or simply refused to walk on it. She followed me across with no commands or coaxing, never flinched, and even sniffed the material, which Sgt. Slaughter scores highly because the dogs are supposed to show interest in the objects being tested. She also took the gun fire like a champ even though we had to stand with our backs to the gun in the blind only a few feet away. When we finished and she did her “platz” to wait for our score, I looked back at the gate and this guy with big tough Rottweilers gave us a big thumbs up. Several club members commented on her temperament and obedience. One member in particular mentioned knowing Mos and told everyone how taken he was with Funny (said he saw her at MSU?). He affirmed that Julie is a very reputable breeder with top quality dogs. We already know that though!!

I am very, very pleased with Chopper. This is a big accomplishment for her because unlike our obedience titles, this test was ALL on her. There was no obedience involved and no real training that could have been done. I was not allowed to look at her, touch her, talk to her, or command her in any way during the test. Sgt. Slaughter said she is calm and reserved, but not at all nervy or aggressive. She investigated on her own the objects she was supposed to show interest in, she approached the friendly strangers in a friendly and attentive manner, she stood her ground during the noise tests and did not spook, and she remained alert and controlled when I was approached by an aggressive stranger.

So now she is U-CH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop RA RN HIT TDI (3x)CGC TT

She likes Sgt. Slaughter

I’ve had Chopper for almost a year now and she has earned six new titles/certificates. Our new goals are the RE in Rally, CD in AKC obedience, FO in UKC Dog Sport, and the big bad BH in Schutzhund. After Julie’s agility trial next weekend, we will be taking a break from training and shows but I hope to pick up again in the fall and work on those titles in that order.