The Good Citizen Dog Scheme - How to help your dog be a model citizen!
Are you the owner of a new dog and looking to get some training together? Are you worried about the best way to help your new dog or puppy be socially acceptable and well behaved? The Kennel Club promotes the Good Citizen Dog Scheme and is the largest dog training scheme in the UK.
The scheme aims to make your dog a 'model citizen' and help them to become a full and active part of your family. Over 2000 dog training clubs take part in the scheme and, with such a large number, there is sure to be a club near you.
The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme was created ten years ago. It promotes the benefits of owning a dog and the ways that dogs can enhance our lives. It is aimed at local dog training clubs and, in addition to the scheme levels and competitions, there are annual awards given in recognition of the hard work, efforts and contribution made by dedicated canine enthusiasts who work towards promoting responsible dog ownership and socially acceptable dogs. Check out their video here.
Owning a dog comes with responsibility. After all, dogs are not born with the knowledge of good, acceptable behaviour. Just like humans, dogs need to be educated so that they can live in harmony with society.
The Scheme is open to all dogs regardless of age or breed. There are four levels of achievement as follows:
• Puppy Foundation -Includes basic training skills and socialisation to introduce them to life's daily routine.
• Bronze Level - for dogs that are relatively new to dog training.
• Silver Level - for dogs that have their bronze level and have moved to a higher learning curve.
• Gold Level - this is the highest level of Good Citizenship and will be awarded to a well behaved and trained dog.
According to the Kennel Club, since 1992, over 80,000 dogs and their owners have successfully passed the Bronze Test and there are now over 2000 organisations running ' Good Citizen' dog training classes, throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Further to the scheme above, there are also further tests that owners and their dogs can take part in called the GCDS Special Pre-Beginner Obedience Stakes Test. These take owners and dogs to the next stage, which is competition in obedience classes etc. These tests include walking on a lead, to heel and staying in one place. Owners get as much enjoyment out of working in this way with their dog as their dogs do of having the challenge. For more information, please contact the Kennel Club on 020 7518 1011 or email gcds@thekennelclub.org.uk.
In addition, it is easy and cheap for an organisation to join the scheme and promote responsible dog ownership. Not only does joining the scheme enhance the reputation of the dog trainer but also brings benefits of being associated with the Kennel Club. It is not just training clubs that can join but animal welfare centres and veterinary practices. The Blue Cross animal rescue charity actively promotes the scheme as it believes that dogs are easier to rehome if they have had a good level of training beforehand.
The Scheme continues to expand its network of dog lovers and supports dog training clubs who run courses throughout the country. For your nearest club visit the Kennel Club here.
There are so many benefits of training your dog to be a good citizen and the most important is having fun with your dog while you are doing it! A well behaved dog is a joy to own!
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