| Good Citizen Dog Scheme |
| The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme was established to promote socially acceptable dogs and to teach owners how to train their dogs. After all, dogs are not born with the fountain of all knowledge. 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. The aim of the scheme is to promote responsible dog ownership and in turn, enhance our relations with our canines, and to make the community aware of the befits associated with owning dogs. |
| There are four levels of achievement as follows:- |
| • Puppy Foundation - for puppies, basic training skills and socialisation will start to introduce them to life's daily routine. |
| • The Bronze Level - for dogs that are relatively new to dog training. |
| • The Silver Level - for dogs that have their bronze level and have graduated to a higher learning curve. |
| • The Gold Level - this is the highest level of Good Citizenship and will show you a well behaved and trained domestic pet. |
| The trainers at the GSD Club of Wales are here to help guide you and your dog towards all levels of the Good Citizen scheme. For more details please contact the Club Secretary, Mrs Sue Evans. |
| At every level the handler must show that they have means of cleaning up after their dog and that it has proper identification. It is a legal requirement to inscribe the name and the address of the owner on the collar or on a plate or disc attached to it. |
| Below is a description of the exercises required to pass each level. |
| Full detailed information sheets can be downloaded from our site click on SCHEDULES & FORMS (pdf) |
| BRONZE AWARD |
| Excercise 1 - Cleanliness and Identification |
| Each handler must carry with them some form of 'poop-scoop' and all dogs must wear a collar and identification tag complying with the law. |
| Exercise 2 - Collar and Lead |
| The object of this exercise is that the handler learns how to put on and take off the collar and lead safely. |
| Excercise 3 - Walk on Lead |
| The object of this excercise is for the dog to walk on a lead withouth distraction. The handler and dog should walk for approximately 30 paces and include some turns and hsuold demonstrate that this can be done without undue inconvenience and the dog pulling forward or back. |
| Excercise 4 - Control at Door/Gate |
| Handler and dog walk through a gate/doorway under control and on a lead. The dog should not pull or be pulled through the gate/doorway. When this excercise commences the dog can be in any position and should wait while the handler opens the gate/door and then proceeds to go through. While the handler secures the gate/door the dog should remain settled. |
| Excercise 5 - Controlled Walk Amongst People and Dogs |
| For approximately 30 paces including some turns the handler should demonstrate that they are in control of their dog walking amongst people, dogs and other distractions. The dog should behave in a quiet, relaxed and controlled manner whilst the handler holds a conversation for one minute. |
| Excercise 6 - Stay on Lead for One Minute |
| The dog should stay on the spot for one minute while the handler moves away. The handler can place the dog in any position i.e. stand, sit or down. Upon instruction the handler drops the lead and moves away a distance of five paces for a period of one minute. |
| Excercise 7 - Grooming |
| The object is to demonstrate that the dog can be groomed by the handler without a struggle. Conducted on lead and include all parts of the dogs body. |
| Excercise 8 - Examination of the Dog |
| The dog should allow inspection of its body by the handler. The examiner will be shown how the handler can examine mouth, teeth, throat, eyes, ears, stomach, tail and feet when standing, sitting or lying. The dog should allow inspection without concern. |
| Excercise 9 - Return to Handler |
| The object is for a dog to return to its handler when instructed to do so. The handler will release the dog from its lead, play with or without a toy, or in some other way distance themselves ten paces away from the dog. When directed to do so the handler should call the dog. Having rejoined, the dog should stop close to the handler in any position and the lead shall be replaced. |
| Excercise 10 - Responsibility and Care |
| The object of this excercise is to test the knowledge of the handler on specific subjects relating to owning a dog. Questions will be based on section one of the Responsibility and Care Leaflet |
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| SILVER AWARD |
| Excercise 1 - Play with the Dog |
| Demonstrate that the dog will play with its handler. Play should be under the handler's control and if it involves articles they should be readily given up by the dog. |
| Excercise 2 - Road Walk |
| Test the ability of the dog to walk on a lead under control on a public highway. Handler and dog walk along a pavement, execute a turn, then stop at the kerb where the dog should remain steady and controlled. Having observedthe Highway Code, they should proceed to the other side, turn and continue walking. |
| Excercise 3 - Rejoin Handler |
| The dog is to remain steady, off lead, while the handler moves away, the dog will then rejoin when instructed to do so. The handler should move approximately ten paces away and when directed to do so the handler should call the dog. Having rejoined, the dog should stop close to the handler in any position and the lead shall be replaced. |
| Exercise 4 - Stay in One Place for Two Minutes |
| The dog should stay on the spot while the handler moves away for two minutes. The handler should remain in sight. The dog can be in any position i.e. stand, sit or down. The handler drops the lead and moves a distance of five paces for two minutes. |
| Excercise 5 - Vehicle Control |
| The handler must demonstrate that they can get the dog in and out of a vehicle in a controlled manner. The dog should not attempt to get in until instructed but should then enter willingly and the door closed. The engine should be started and run for a short time to enable the Examiner to assess the effect upon the dog, which at all times, should remain quiet, relaxed and under control. |
| Excercise 6 - Come away from Distractions |
| The dog should remain under the handlers control when there are distrations. Taking the dog on the lead into a gathering of people with dogs, the handler will be instructed to remove the lead and walk or run away calling the dog, which should return without delay and be placed back on the lead |
| Excercise 7 - Controlled Greeting |
| The object of this excercise is for the handler to demonstrate that the dog will not jump up. Should this happen, the handler must be able to successfully instruct the dog to cease. The Examiner will greet the dog as they may do when entering a house. |
| Excercise 8 - Food Manners |
| The dog should have good manners when aware of food. Food should be handled or consumed while the dog, on loose lead, is in close proximity. The dog should not unduly respond to this temptation i.e. not to beg or steal. |
| Excercise 9 - Examination of the Dog |
| The dog should allow inspection of its body by the handler. The examiner will be shown how the handler can examine mouth, teeth, throat, eyes, ears, stomach, tail and feet when standing, sitting or lying. The dog should allow inspection without concern. |
| Excercise 10 - Responsibility and Care |
| The object of this excercise is to test the knowledge of the handler on specific subjects relating to owning a dog. Questions will be based on sections one and two of the Responsibility and Care Leaflet |
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| GOLD AWARD |
| Excercise 1 - Road Walk |
| The dog should have the ability to walk on a lead under control on the public highway beside the handler and for the handler to determine the speed of the walk. Walk along a pavement, excecute a turn, stop at the kerb when the dog should remain steady and controlled. Proceed on command observing the Highway Code. Upon reaching the other side they should turn and continue walking, making a few changes of pace from normal to slow or fast walking. Handler and dog return across the road to the starting point of the excercise. Distractions should be incorporated. |
| Excercise 2 - Return to Handler's Side |
| The object of this excercise is to be able to bring the dog back under close control during a lead free walk. With the dog off lead and not less than ten paces away, the dog will be called back to the walking handler's side and both should continue together for approximately ten paces. |
| Excercise 3 - Walk Free Beside Handler |
| The dog is to be kept close to the handler's side as may be necessary on a walk in the park. This is a test of control whilst walking with a dog off lead beside its handler for approximately 40 paces. Two changes of direction will take place and there will be the distraction of another handler passing with a dog on a lead. |
| Excercise 4 - Stay Down in one Place |
| The dog will stay down on the spot for two minutes while the handler moves away and is out of sight for approximately half a minute. While in sight the handlers will be approximately ten paces away from their dog. |
| Excercise 5 - Send the Dog to Bed |
| The handler may provide the dog's bed, blanket, mat or an article of clothing etc. The handler places the dog's bed in a position determined by the Examiner. The handler stands approximately ten paces from the bed and upon instruction sends the dog to bed where the dog will remain until the Examiner is satisfied the dog is settled. |
| Excercise 6 - Stop the Dog |
| The object is for the handler to stop the dog at a distance in an emergency situation. With the dog off lead and at a distance, not less than approximately ten paces away, the handler will be instructed to stop the dog on the spot in any position. |
| Excercise 7 - Relaxed Isolation |
| The dog should be content when left in isolation. During such times the dog should not become agitated, unduly stressed or defensive. The dog is fastened to an approximate two metre line and the handler moves out of sight for between two - five minutes as directed. Alternatively the dog may be left in a room on its own, provided undetected observation can take place. |
| Excercise 8 - Food Manners |
| This excercise demonstrates that the dog can be fed in an orderly manner. The handler offers food, the dog must wait for permission to eat. After a three to five second pause, the handler will be asked to give the dog a command to eat. |
| Excercise 9 - Examination of the Dog |
| The dog should allow inspection of its body by a stranger as might be undertaken by a veterinary surgeon. The dog on lead will be required to be placed for inspection of its mouth, teeth, throat, eyes, ears, stomach, tail and feet when standing, sitting or lying. The dog should allow inspection without concern. |
| Excercise 10 - Responsibility and Care |
| The object of this excercise is to test the knowledge of the handler on specific subjects relating to owning a dog. Questions will be based on sections two and three of the Responsibility and Care Leaflet |
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