More Information

Good citizen obedience classes

Thank you for your interest in our Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme classes. The following is information you will need to know prior to joining our classes.

The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme is the largest dog training scheme in the UK. Its aim is to promote responsible dog ownership and in turn, enhance our relationship with our pets and to make the community aware of the benefits associated with dog ownership.

Getting a dog is one of the rare occasions you actually choose a member of your family! So if things are going to work out, your choice must be a good one. So what happens when you find the right dog and bring it home? Will it behave itself in your home?
Will it get on with your family and what will it be like when you take it out? These are just a few questions that a new dog owner
will ask himself or herself when bringing a dog into the home. How do you learn to live with your new addition?

Method

The type of training that will be used in the classes is positive reinforcement. If a dog finds something rewarding, it is more likely
to repeat it. At one time, there were only conventional/compulsive types of training methods which generally worked by dominating the dog into doing what the owner wanted. As times have moved on, we have found that with positive reinforcement, we can actually give our dog a choice. Our job is to convince him that if he makes the right choice, he will be rewarded! It’s as simple as that!
This clearly gives a better relationship than before with our dogs.

Worming and vaccination

Please make sure that your vaccination certificate is up to date and that your dog has been wormed. Please get worming medication from your vet. Although more expensive than in the shops it is more effective. It is also a advisable to have an up to
date kennel cough vaccination to ensure you dog will remain in the peak of health.

Equipment

Choke chains, (check chains) are not allowed during the classes. Recent studies have shown that not only can they damage
the dogs neck, but they also cause physiological problems and aggression in some dogs.

Please use a broad flat collar, together with a reasonably long lead. (3-4ft long)

Treats

From now until the next class please find out what really motivates your dog. The best option is a treat, or could be a favourite
toy. Fresh chicken, cheese, sausages or liver usually work very well and although sound extravagant, usually cost less than commercial treats. (Only a very tiny piece of food is used and the tit-bits need be no larger than 1/2 cm square) Only use these ‘special rewards’ for training.

Toys

We use a variety of methods to motivate your dog in the classes. If your dog is not particularly treat orientated then being along his/her favourite toy to play with and use than as a reward instead. Fleece tuggy toys are great and if you forget we have a wide range of toys available from the Club shop.

Feeding your dog

Bear in mind that we want your dog to work well for the treats you use in class, so if he has just had lunch/super, he’s not going
to be terribly interested in your treats. Therefore don’t feed him within 3-4 hours prior to the class. On a full stomach the dog will
not be very comfortable running round and there is also the chance that a full stomach can twist – which we definitely don’t want!

Useful hints

  • When you arrive please park sensibly on the car park as other cars may need to leave before you.
  • You must enter the OBEDIENCE HALL at the middle door which opens outwards.
  • Your dog should have time to relieve himself before entering the classes but any mess must be removed and put
    in the ‘poo bin’.
  • Allow you dog a short walk or some exercise before arriving at the class to let off some steam and release some
    excess energy!
  • Please arrive on time for your classes.
  • A calm and confident attitude will help your dog to settle into the class easier, by allowing your dog to get used to the
    new surroundings will help promote calm behaviour. Focusing exercises are good to make sure your dog understands
    they come to classes to work for you!
  • Please listen to your instructor, not just to learn lots but for your own and your dogs safety.

A comprehensive outline of each award from Bronze, Silver and Gold is available on our website or by post if you request it from your instructor.

DON’T FORGET to complete the registration form and bring with you to the first Kennel Club Good Citizen Class.
The annual membership fee of £10.00 needs to be paid on attendance to your first class.

And finally…… Please note this is a working farm and consideration should be given to the other people on the farm not attending the training classes. Therefore, dogs must be kept on a lead at ALL times and ALL dog mess must be removed immediately and put in the ‘pooh bin.’ Toilet facilities for humans are located next to the car park.

The Scheme incorporates four awards Puppy Foundation, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level involves a gradual development
of basic exercises included in daily life situations. Skills covered include:

Puppy Foundation Award

  1. Responsibility and care
  2. Cleanliness and identification
  3. Attentive response to name
  4. Puppy play
  5. Socialization
  6. Handling and inspection
  7. Puppy recall
  8. Basic puppy positions
  9. Walking in a controlled manner
  10. Stay for approximately 10 seconds
  11. Take article away from the puppy
  12. Food manners

Bronze Award

  1. Cleanliness and identification
  2. Collar and lead
  3. Walk on lead
  4. Control at door/gate
  5. Controlled walk amongst people and dogs
  6. Stay on lead for one minute
  7. Groom
  8. Present for examination
  9. Return to handler
  10. Responsibility and care

Silver Award

  1. Play with the dog
  2. Road walk
  3. Rejoin the handler
  4. Stay in one place
  5. Vehicle control
  6. Come away from distractions
  7. Controlled greeting
  8. Food manners
  9. Examination of the dog
  10. Responsibility and care

Gold Award

  1. Road walk
  2. Return to handler’s side
  3. Walk free beside handler
  4. Stay down in one place
  5. Send the dog to bed
  6. Stop the dog
  7. Relaxed isolation
  8. Food manners
  9. Examination of the dog
  10. Responsibility and care
The Kennel Club