Hoo Boy, I'm nervous today!

[Sizzledog]

Ronin and Ada have to stay home... Ilsa is going to take the Doberman Pinscher Club of America's temperament test... the WAE. The passing rate is notoriously poor, it's a demanding test. I feel Ilsa is ready and mature enough to take it, but I'm still getting butterflies in my stomach!

The easy parts of the test include a neutral stranger, a friendly stranger, a hidden clattering, etc.

The quasi-difficult parts include an umbrella opening in their face and walking over variable surfaces (plastic bags and an ex-pen laid out), etc.

The hardest parts... the gunfire at close range (the shooter is 9 feet away and fires three shots)... and the aggressive stranger. Basically, afte thte entire rest of the test, the dog is confronted by a big guy wearing an overcoat and a big hat, waving a stick. The dog has to show strong protective instinct - preferaby with barking, straining on the leash, etc.

The ONLY thing I'm worried about is the gunshot exercise. It's very loud, and Ilsa hasn't liked loud noises in the past... one day were were at a parade, and one of the floats had an actual cannon. It went off mere feet from her, and she tried to bolt. Then again, cannon fire is a lot louder than gunshots... so who knows what she'll do!

Thanks for letting me rant! I think I feel fewer butterflies in my tummy now! I'll report back and tell everyone how she does!

Send good thoughts and brave wishes to my big red girl...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/lhartlep/dogmacollars089.jpg

[Merlincorgi]

Oh! Lots and lots of vibes and bravery wishes for Ilsa today! Go and get 'em beautiful!!!

[ZdogZ]

Sending lots of good thoughts and brave wishes for Ilsa! I will be thinking of you both today.

[disraeli ears]

Good luck, Ilsa!

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Let us know the results as soon as you can, fingers crossed here, and some paws!

[Penutsma]

Here's lots of best wishes that she passes the tests with flying colors!

[jcj528]

Vibes for Isla to do you proud! Please let us know as soon as you can.

[Sizzledog]

Well, she failed - but it was not HER failure, nor was it mine. Our threatening stranger was *terrible*. He was not scary at all, he made fake-sounding "rarr...rarr" noises - a real caricature of a scary person, it was almost laughable. After Ilsa, the evaluator (Eve Auch) was so disgusted that she found another person to be the threatening stranger. Eve said she was very disappointed that she couldn't pass Ilsa, because she did exactly what she should have done when she was faced by that particular "threatening stranger" and that was nothing.

Ilsa handled everything else wonderfully, even the gunshots! So, the WAE was definitely a learning experience - it showed me that Ilsa is practically bombproof when it comes to surfaces, sights, and sounds. It also showed me that she is an excellent judge of character, and was smarter than to fall for a clearly "fake" bad guy.

Even though she technically failed, I am very happy with her behavior during the test. She did exactly what she should have done, IMO.

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Give her an extra special treat tonight, she deserves it!

[Jane Austen]

Me too.... Ilsa is definitely a winner. Besides being drop dead gorgeous, she has the intelligence to know a fake when she sees it. Will she be taking the test again?

[Sizzledog]

Honestly I'm not sure. I want to, but she's so darn smart - she might recognize the test if I re-take it with her, and remember that the bad guy, no matter how scary he is, is a fake.

But we'll see. Ronin still needs to go through it.

[bunnybutts]

Yeah Ilsa for being such a smart good girl! She is a beauty and brains to boot.

I know I've told you b4 but my Son also has a dobi. She is very sweet and a good temperament... not at all the stereotype Hollywood Reel-life Doberman but is what a Real-life well breed Dobi should be - just like Ilsa :CUTE:

[ZdogZ]

I hate that she didn't pass the test. You have every right to be proud of her. I guess I really don't understand...if she did what she was supposed to do, why couldn't they pass her?

[Sizzledog]

They couldn't pass her because *technically*, she was supposed to get out in front of me, act aggressive and protective. She didn't do that.

So, depsite the fact that she had the approrpiate response in general, her repsonse did not eet the requirements of the test itself.

Thems the breaks I guess.

[ZdogZ]

Well, that just stinks for you and her. Give her some extra lovin' from us.

[jcj528]

Isla is a beautiful girl and you have every right to be very proud of her. Were I or anyone else who has read the story the evaluator Isla would have gotten a great big PASS.

[Penutsma]

Since she essentially passed everything except the fake scary guy - as far as I'm concerned....SHE PASSED! I realize that doesn't help with the officialdom, but you must be very proud of how smart she is! I know I would be.

[Fluffypants]

Good for Ilsa!!! Smart and beautiful - what a combo!
Too bad she couldn't re-test.

[dcole]

Awww - Ilsa's just too SMART for that stinkin' test! What a beautiful, smart girl you have! +WUBCLUB+

[Merlincorgi]

What a shame that a bad "bad guy" ruined the test for her. Still... many many kudos to you both for coming so close to passing. I do hope you will give her another chance to get her certification. I can't believe they didn't test out the bad guys acting skills better before putting him in front of a dog.. that would just make me mad! Still... she is one of the prettiest girls... and WE all know she passed! +REDAWARD+ +GREENAWARD+ +BLUEAWARD+ +PURPLEAWARD+