Aim The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Puppy Foundation Assessment aims to provide a means of socialising puppies and to lay down a foundation for education and training.
On successful completion of the course puppies will respond to their handlers and the handlers will have an awareness of the responsibilities of dog ownership.
The inclusion of play exercises adds an extra dimension to a dog’s life and can be used to make training fun. Constructive play and suitable incentives are encouraged within this puppy training programme.
Eligibility Age definition – up to a maximum of 12 months old. At their discretion the course organiser can set a minimum age for enrolment. A puppy must attend for a minimum of four weekly sessions. The course should be focused around the progress of the puppy and its owner over a period of time and not on the first or one particular meeting.
The enrolment of puppies onto the Puppy Foundation Assessment should be carefully monitored, especially to ensure that puppies complete the course before they reach the maximum age for this Scheme.
Assessments No part of the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme is competitive and assessments should be carried out in a relaxed and informal manner. Remember that the course should be focused around the progress of a puppy and its owner over a period of time and not on the first or one particular meeting.
A Good Citizen Dog Scheme Puppy Foundation Certificate will be awarded when the required standard in all parts of the assessment have been achieved.
The Assessor will enter the comment “Passed” or “Not Ready” alongside each exercise. The puppy must receive the comment “Passed” for each exercise in one course in order to receive a Certificate. In any exercise aggressive behaviour from the puppy or undue fear will classify the puppy as “Not Ready”.
