The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme

• Puppy Foundation – For puppies, whereby basic training skills and socialisation will start to introduce them to life’s daily routine.
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• The Bronze Level – For dogs that are relatively new to dog training.
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• The Silver Level – for dogs that have their bronze level and have graduated to a higher learning curve.
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• The Gold Level – this is the highest level of Good Citizenship and will show you a well behaved and trained domestic pet.

 

Just to give an example of what's required, in the bronze level your dog must come to call, walk properly on the lead, stay in one position on command, and allow you to clean and groom and inspect him or her. This means that your dog must let you put him or her in position to be groomed etc. and this could be a sit, stand or down either one side or on the back. You must also show that you have some means of cleaning up after your dog and that he or she has proper identification.

 

The test isn't competitive as it's designed to show that you understand the basics of how to care for your dog and that you have good control. The aim is to produce happy, contented dogs like the one pictured here. They should be well behaved, and under the control of handlers who fully understand the responsibilities to their dogs, to their neighbours and to the community.
A Certificate will be awarded when the required standard has been achieved.

 

 

The Kennel Club
This is the place to read about the scheme and to find out more about what's required.

 

Photo above: This dog is well behaved and relaxed and is happy to be taking part in a parade with the family. Thanks to jeltovski of morguefile.