Canine Good Citizen - recognising good dogs

Media Release 7 May 2007

Canine Good Citizen - training, recognising good dogs

Nineteen Dog Obedience Clubs throughout New Zealand are offering the dog owning public a new programme called Canine Good Citizen, developed by New Zealand Kennel Club for responsible dog owners wanting positive recognition for themselves and their dogs, in a climate where a very few owners taint the image of all dogs.

The six participating clubs in Auckland are: All Breeds Dog Training Club, East Auckland Dog Obedience Club, Hibiscus Coast Dog Training Club, Manukau Dog Training Club, North Shore Dog Training Club, and Norwest Dog Training Club.

Since the 1950s, Dog Obedience Clubs have been at the forefront of dog training throughout the country. Our Clubs provide basic Domestic dog training classes for responsible dog owners. They teach the owner how to train the dog while showing people how to ensure their dog becomes a great lifetime companion.

Canine Good Citizen goes a step further. Dogs are trained and then tested in simulated everyday situations in a relaxed atmosphere. Dogs and their owners are identified and rewarded for the training and demeanour to be reliable family members. Canine Good Citizen ensures that man’s best friend can be a respected member of the community because the dog is trained to be well mannered at home, in public, and around other dogs.

Canine Good Citizen is for any dog, large or small, who has a responsible owner. Participants do not have to be New Zealand Kennel Club members.

Testing requires an assessment by a recognised New Zealand Kennel Club Assessor. Dogs passing assessment gain a nationally recognised Canine Good Citizen Certificate. Some examples of basic aspects tested includes:

1. Appearance and grooming
2. Food manners
3. Accepting friendly strangers
4. Walking in a controlled manner with distractions and through people.
5. Remaining calm while tied up
6. Control around other dogs.

We hope that in the near future the enormous benefits of Canine Good Citizen will be reflected in local Council’s dog control policies and registration fees.

ENDS

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