The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme
Article Kindly Provided by Liz Hammett who holds a list of societies operating the scheme.

The list is also held by the webmaster (click on contact us above)

The Kennel Club started the GCDS in order to promote responsible Dog Ownership.

It is non competitive and any dog is eligible to take the Classes, whether it is pedigree or mongrel, young or old. It is also ideal for us to encourage our new puppy owners to participate and give their puppies a great start in life, maybe avoiding many of the problems that we know puppies can cause.

The Scheme helps owners to train their dogs for everyday life situations, such as lead walking without pulling and socializing with other dogs and people. Feeding, grooming, hygiene, basic healthcare are all covered during the classes, as well as the owners legal obligations for dog ownership.

Starting with the Puppy assessment and continuing up the classes to Bronze, Silver and Gold is very worthwhile for any owner and will build up understanding and knowledge for both the owner and the dog. After learning this basic obedience, many owners are encouraged to carry on and get into Agility, Heelwork to music and more Competitive Obedience.

The owner also receives a Certificate when they successfully pass each Test set out below:

Puppy Foundation

1
Responsibility and care
2
Cleanliness and identification
3
Attentive response to name
4
Play with puppy
5
Socialisation
6
Handling and inspection to maintain health
7
Basic puppy recall
8
Basic puppy positions
9
Walking in a controlled manner
10
Stay for approximately 10 seconds
11
Take article away from puppy
12
Food Manners

Bronze

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

Silver

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

Gold

1
Road walk
2
Return to handler
3
Walk free beside handler
4
Stay down for 2 minutes
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

Further information can be requested from
The Kennel Club
1-5 Clarges Street
London
W1J 8AB

Phone 020 7518 1011
Fax 020 7518 1050
Email gcds@the-kennel-club.org.uk
Web www.the-kennel-club.org.uk