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

1. 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.

2. Return to handler’s side
The object is to be able to bring the dog back under close control during a lead free walk.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Responsibility and care
The object is to test the knowledge of the handler on this subject. When asked questions by the examiner from the Responsibility and Care numbered list Sections two and three only. 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. 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 Responsibility and Care sheet.) Note: Only one numbered item may constitute a question. The handler should be able to give eight out of ten correct answers from Section Two and Three only of the Responsibility and Care Information Sheet. GCDS/06/03