Week 6 - Maya is awarded Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme

Guide Dogs run a puppy class fortnightly, which is very good for the puppies, as all the dogs attending are Guide Dog stock, so the training is equal to them all. Unlike when out walking a puppy, there is always somebody, who is walking a dog on lead,and wants to let their dog say 'hello' to puppy, more so if they are the same breed, I then have to tell them politely, that puppy is not allowed, as they are 'working' when they are on lead, but can happily play on a free run off lead. That is the advantage of taking puppy along to the Guide Dog classes, as all the dogs there are in training, and are discouraged from 'making friends' on lead.

One of the things we try to do, is prepare puppy to take the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme, there is Bronze, Silver then Gold. An examiner monitors, different set excercises. These include grooming the dog while it stands still, without wriggling, or biting at the grooming equipment, walk among other dogs while on lead, without lunging at the dogs they are passing, walking through doors in a controlled manner, leaving the dog off lead, walk away at least ten paces, then call the dog to you, and attach the lead, also place the dog in a position of your choice, (sit or down) and the dog has to remain in the same position for a full minute. The handler is then asked basic questions about the care and welfare of the dog. This routine is for the Bronze Award.  Maya did the Bronze at eight months, and passed. It is not competitive, but is nice to try. The handler then receives a certificate, and can apply to The Kennel Club for a rosette, or badge.

I may have Maya long enough now to try for the Silver award, this one they have to stay in the one position for two full minutes. The dog and handler have to have received the Bronze Award before they can try for the Silver.