Other

Other Class

This class covers the Kennel Club Silver and Gold awards; 9.00 - 9.45pm.

Silver Class
The Kennel Club Silver award is for dogs that have already been awarded a Bronze certificate, that have proper means of identification and whose handlers can show their means of cleaning up after their dog.

Gold Class
The Kennel Club Gold award is the highest level of Good Citizenship and builds upon the skills learned in the Silver Award. The Gold Award is a natural progression of practical dog training skills and introduces new concepts such as Relaxed Isolation, Stop the Dog and Send the Dog to Bed exercises, which are important in everyday life situations. The Gold Award aims to provide handlers with a greater knowledge of understanding their canine companion.

The exercises that are covered are:

Silver

Play with the dog.
The object is to demonstrate that the dog will play with its handler. Play adds an extra dimension to a dog’s life and can be used to make training fun.
Road walk.
The object is to test the ability of the dog to walk on lead under control.
Rejoin the handler.
The object is for the dog to remain steady while the handler leaves but the dog will rejoin when instructed to do so.
Stay in one place.
The object is that the dog will stay on the spot while the handler moves away for 2 minutes. The handler should remain in sight.
Vehicle control.
The object is for the handler to get the dog in and out of a vehicle in a controlled manner. The dog should remain quiet, relaxed and under control during the exercise.
Come away from distractions.
The object is for the handler to remain in control of their dog when there are distractions.
Controlled greeting.
The object is to demonstrate that the dog will not jump up. Should this happen, the handler must be able to successfully instruct the dog to cease.
Food manners.
The object is for the dog to have good manners when aware of peoples’ food.
Examination of the dog.
The object is to demonstrate that the dog will allow inspection of its body by a stranger as might be undertaken by a veterinary surgeon.
Responsibility and care.
The object is to test the knowledge of the handler on this subject.

Gold

Road-walk.
The object is to test the ability of the dog to walk on lead under control beside the handler and for the handler to determine the speed of the walk.
Return to handler’s side.
The object is to be able to bring the dog back under close control during a lead free walk.
Walk free beside handler.
The object is for the dog to be kept close to the handler’s side as may be necessary on a walk in the park. This is not heel-work but a test of control while walking with a dog off lead beside its handler for approximately 40 paces. Changes of direction are right and left turns without formality.
Stay down in one place.
The object is that the dog will stay down on the spot while the handler moves away for two minutes both in and out of sight.
Send the dog to bed.
The object is to demonstrate control such as might be required in the home. Note: The dog is not being sent to bed in disgrace. Where possible this exercise should be tested indoors. The bed used should be suitable to the dog under test and no inducement (e.g. toys, food) should be used during this exercise.
Stop the dog.
The object is for the handler to stop the dog at a distance in an emergency situation. The dog is expected to respond straight away to the stop command but if moving at speed, will be allowed a reasonable distance to come to a stop.
Relaxed isolation.
The object is for the dog to be content when left in isolation. Dogs should be tested for their relaxed demeanour in isolation without any prior controls being imposed by the handler.
Food manners.
The object is for the dog to be fed in an orderly manner. The handler will offer food to the dog either by hand or in a bowl. The dog must wait (3-5 sec.) for permission to eat. The dog should not eat until given permission, however if attempting to do so, it is acceptable for the handler to restrain the dog by voice alone.
Examination of the dog.
The object is to demonstrate that the dog will 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 mouth, teeth, throat, eyes, ears and feet when standing, sitting or lying down as required. Other than mild avoidance, the dog should allow inspection without concern.
Responsibility and care.
The object is to test the knowledge of the handler on this subject. Topics covered include;- Other Responsibilities, Children, Barking, Dogs and Stationary Vehicles, Vehicle Travel, Health, Worming, The Country Code, Miscellaneous, Frightening, Out of Control, Biting and Psychology of learning. (At the start of each training course handlers will be given a copy of the Responsibility and Care sheet.)