Dear Members,

As mentioned in the KCH Newsletter sent out yesterday, we will be holding a Canine Good Citizen Bronze Level Test for the first time to be held after the KCH Championship Dog Jumping and Obedience Show on Sunday 9 June 2013 and will be conducted by Jack Taentzer (Judge from South Africa). The Canine Good Citizen Test is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community and it encourages and stresses the importance of responsible dog ownership by the owners. Any dog (pure bred /crossbred) may take part provided it has had its required vaccinations.

The Scheme is a programme comprising of the Puppy Certificate, the Bronze, Silver and Gold Levels. We urge owners to make the effort to train their dogs as they will experience the benefits of their dogs having good manners, responding well to household routines and they will be a joy to live with.

The Bronze Level consists of the following tests and Evaluators sometimes combine elements during the actual test:

1. Accepting a stranger – this test consists of a stranger approaching the dog and handler in a casual, every day situation without the dog showing signs of resentment or shyness.
2. Putting on a collar and lead.
3. Present the dog for examination on a lead.
4. Allowing basic grooming procedures.
5. Demonstrating that the dog can be calmed easily after praise or play.
6. Releasing dog from lead, play with or without toy, recall and attach lead.
7. Walking on loose lead without distraction.
8. Walking on lead passing through door/gate.
9. Walking on lead passing people and dogs.
10. Reacting appropriately to another dog.
11. Sitting and lying down on command and staying in place.
12. Reacting appropriately to distractions.
13. Calmly enduring supervised separation from the owner.

Please note that no fee will be charged for participating in the Canine Good Citizen Bronze Certificate Test. Please, however, e-mail Linda Lamb (meadowf@mweb.co.zw) should you wish to enter so that preparation can be made for the entries. There will be copies of the Canine Good Citizen Programme available for sale to non-ZKC members for $5 a copy on Sunday, and free to ZKC members. Should any members have any further queries with regard to the Canine Good Citizen Programme, please contact Sam Fernandes – email: mcfernzw@gmail.com or cell: 0773 215 212.

Best regards
Linda Lamb
Secretary – Kennel Club of Harare