Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme (GCDTS)

The Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme is a dog training programme that promotes socially acceptable dogs and creates responsible dog owners. The scheme is non-competitive and is open to dogs of all ages and breeds (excluding Banned Breeds), whether Kennel Club registered or not.

Emphasis is placed on the handler’s ability to handle and care for their dog in a domestic environment. It is a great way to socialise your dog and connect with other dog owners, while improving your dog’s life skills and making you more aware of your legal and social responsibilities when taking your dog out into the wider environment.

At Rugby DTC, we offer regular courses for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels of the scheme, allowing you to progress through the levels in a positive, encouraging environment. Our Good Citizen classes are run by Mandy, along with a team of dedicated trainers, all of whom have taken their own dogs through the scheme.

Our courses are approximately 8 weeks, including the test which is conducted by a qualified KC Good Citizen Examiner. The courses cost £45.00 for members and are limited to small groups so that the best possible training can be given to each dog.

What Is Involved?

Bronze:

This is the first level we offer. The Bronze level introduce key behaviours for everyday life with your dog, including:

Walking on a loose lead
Recall
Staying in one place
Manners around doorways
Examining and grooming your dog

Silver:

Bronze:

This level builds on the Bronze exercises to include distractions and look at travelling with your dog. Some of the Silver exercises are:

Loose lead walking around roads and distractions
Recall from distractions
Safe play with your dog
Getting in and out of a car safely
Examination by a stranger (as though at the vet)

Gold:

Bronze:

Gold:

This is the highest level of the scheme and looks for the dog to be able to carry out more complex behaviours. The Gold exercises include:

Walking to heel while off lead
Recall to heel
Sending the dog to a mat or bed
Emergency stop
Relaxing while the owner is out of sight

The KC Good Citizen Award Test

At the end of each series of courses the Owner and their dog will undergo a test by a qualified KC assessor, (not by one of the trainers as KC rules don't allow a trainer to examine or test a dog they train) who will assess both the owner and their dog to the standard laid down by the Kennel Club.

If both the dog and handler meet the KC required standard they will be awarded the appropriate award they have trained for.

A pass is not a formality. The KC list a stringent set of guidelines that all examiners must adhere to when conducting the Good Citizen tests and some owners and their dogs may 'not be ready' and fail to meet the correct standard, if this happens, they are encouraged to undertake further training and retake that test at a later date.