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 Bronze
Award
This
award aims to produce a dog that will walk and sit in a controlled
manner on the lead, will lie down on command, will allow
its owner to clean and groom it and inspect it. The dog must
also be able to be positioned by its owner for examination
ie: stand,
sit, lie down on either side or on its back, all on a lead. Finally
the dog must come to hand when called.
Aim
The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bronze Award aims to produce
a dog that will walk and behave in a controlled manner on the
lead, will stay in one position on command, will allow its owner
to clean, groom and inspect it. The
dog must also be able to be positioned by its handler for inspection
i.e. stand, sit or lie down on either side or on its back, all
on lead. The dog must come to hand when called. The Bronze award
aims to provide the handlers with a basic knowledge of understanding
and training their canine companion.
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Eligibility
The Scheme is aimed at all dogs whether Kennel Club registered
or not, there is no age limit. For the Bronze Test, dogs are not
required to have completed the Puppy Foundation Assessment programme.
Handlers must show that they have means of cleaning up after their
dog and that it has proper identification.
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Standard
Required
The test is non competitive but examiners should be satisfied
that dogs are worthy of passing. Examiners should also observe
the spirit of the Scheme, which is to produce happy, contented
dogs, which are 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.
Any
uncontrolled, mouthing, barking, growling or other threatening
behaviour is not acceptable and further training will be required
before the dog can be passed. In order that it be meaningful the
testing must be carried out rigorously. Emphasis must be placed
upon the ability of the handler to handle, care for and generally
be responsible for their dog.
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The
Test
Dogs may be tested singly or in groups. Those ‘passing’
all parts of the test will receive a Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bronze
Test Certificate. The examiner will enter the comment “Passed”
or “Not Ready” alongside each exercise. In order to
receive a Certificate, dogs must receive the comment “Passed” for
each exercise at one session.
The
organising society will be responsible for appointing an examiner
for the test, (see criteria below), however the examiner appointed
should not have been involved in the training of any of the students.
The organising Society must be confident the examiner is able
to fulfil the task proficiently.
The final test is to be arranged by a Kennel Club approved organisation
and the examiner will meet the following criteria:
- Dog
Warden (someone that has a good understanding of dog training
and the Scheme criteria)
- Recognised
Kennel Club Judge i.e. someone who judges at KC Licensed
events
on a regular basis - open or championship show level in Obedience,
Agility, Working Trials and Breed Shows. Field Trials (Panel
Judges) and Gundog Working Test judges who have handled
and
trained dogs to gain Field Trial or Gundog Working Test awards.’
- Member
of the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers (Associate
or Full member, Graduate or Advanced grade. Also First Grade
instructors with three years training experience, obtained prior
to the 1/1/2003)
- Police
or Service Dog Handler (one that has a good understanding of
dog training and the Scheme criteria)
- Kennel
Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Approved Examiner – Someone
who fulfils the KCGCDS criteria and who has passed a GCDS
Examiner
Assessment course.
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 Description
of Exercises
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. The owner
should be reminded that they must always remove any fouling caused
by their dog and carry with them some form of "poop scoop".
Note: These essentials are part of the law.
2.
COLLAR AND LEAD
Put on collar and lead. It is important that the collar and lead
are suitable for type of dog and that the owner is able to fit
them correctly. Note: A dog that becomes frightened can back out
of a loose collar.
3.
WALK ON LEAD
Walk on lead without distractions. The owner will be holding
the lead with the dog by their side throughout this section.
The dog
should walk at the handler’s side without undue pulling
forward or back. Note: Competition heelwork is not the aim.
4.
CONTROL AT DOOR/GATE
Walk on lead through Door/Gate. The owner will hold the lead and
with the dog under control walk the dog through gate/doorway.
Note: The objectives of exercise three also apply. The dog should
not pull or be pulled through the doorway.
5.
CONTROLLED WALK AMONGST PEOPLE AND DOGS
Walk on lead passing people and dogs. Behave in controlled manner
whilst owner holds a conversation for one minute. The dog must
be able to stand, sit or lie down in a quiet relaxed manner whilst
the owner is holding a conversation for one minute. Note: The
objectives of exercise three also apply. This is not a stay exercise.
6.
STAY ON LEAD FOR ONE MINUTE
Stay in one position on command, on lead. The handler should place
the dog with the lead attached in a position of their choice i.e.
stand, sit or down. Upon instruction, having quietly dropped the
lead on the ground next to the dog, the handler will move a distance
of five paces away for a period of one minute. Note: The dog must
stay in the position it has been left in, however minor movements
within that position are acceptable. Extra commands are permitted
but should not be excessive.
7.
GROOM
Grooming should be performed relevant to the individual dog. Note:
This exercise is a test of ability to keep the dog clean and healthy
without a struggle. Handlers are required to provide their own
grooming equipment. Any signs of aggression or nervousness while
grooming the dog will be deemed not ready.
8.
PRESENT FOR EXAMINATION
The examiner will be shown how a handler can examine their own
dog. This exercise will be carried out on lead. The dog will be
required to have its mouth, teeth, throat, eyes, ears and feet
inspected when standing, sitting or lying down on either side
or on its back. Note: This is a most important exercise and will
require considerable care, expertise and patience on the part
of the trainer. The average new owner may find this exercise difficult
and frustrating. However, by ensuring that dogs are properly socialised
before attempting this exercise and that this exercise is only
carried out under careful supervision will success be achieved.
9.
RETURN TO HANDLER
The handler will release the dog from lead, play with or without
toy, or in some other way distance themselves from their dog,
recall and attach lead. The aim is to enable the handler to call
the dog to them when released within a restricted area, i.e. home
or garden. There will be no requirement for the dog to sit, the
handler will simply attach the lead to the collar. Note: The handler
is to be advised not to let the dog run uncontrolled in open spaces
such as woods, parks and farmland.
10.
RESPONSIBILITY AND CARE
The object of this exercise is to test the knowledge of the handler
on specific subjects relating to owning a dog. When asked questions
by the examiner from the Responsibility and Care numbered list
section one only. Topics include – A dog’s needs,
Illness and Responsibilities of Ownership. The questions should
not be phrased in an ambiguous manner and where necessary, examiners
should rephrase the same question in an attempt to bring out the
correct answer from the handler. At the start of each training
course, in addition to the description, handlers should be given
a copy of the canine code and Responsibility & Care sheet.
There should be a discussion period during which the importance
of correct socialisation can be explained, problems discussed
and advice given on choosing a suitable collar, identity disc
and lead. Note: Only one numbered item may constitute a question.
The handler should be able to give three out of six correct answers
from Section One of the Responsibility and Care Information Sheet.
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