GCDS SILVER
The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Silver Award - For dogs who have passed the Bronze Award
Aims to build on the skills learned in the Bronze Award whilst increasing the level of difficulty. Introducing new concepts including controlled greetings, road walks and vehicle control.
Read what we expect from the handlers in our training guidelines.
Our Silver class is a pay-as-u-go Silver class, allowing dogs to develop further skills in a small class, and learning with more mature dogs.
There are several tests held over the year to allow dogs and handlers to sit the Silver test when they are ready.
Play with the Dog
Controlled Greeting
Road Walk
Vehicle Control
For many people the worse thing a dog can do is jump up especially if it is a lively or large dog.
In this exercise the examiner will greet the dog as they would if they were to visit its home. If the dog jumps up the handler must show they can control the behaviour.
Play is a very important part of a dogs life as it makes training easy and improves the bond between dog and handler.
Play should be under handler control and play articles should be readily given up when instructed.
As walks form a necessary part of a dog life being able to do this in a calm, controlled manner is essential to the well being of the dog as well as handler.
Practise for the handler to get the dog in and out of a vehicle safely.
The dog should not attempt to enter or leave the vehicle until instructed to do so by the handler. Dogs should be safely secured in the vehicle.
The dog should remain calm and relaxed while in the car and the engine is turned on.
Come Away from Distractions
This exercise is to show that the handler can gain the dogs attention and recall the dog whilst there are distractions e.g. whilst at the park.
While other dogs are on lead, the dog is placed off lead while handler moves away, calling the dog.
Stay in One Place for Two Minutes
This is a development of the Bronze stay.
In this exercise the dog will stay in one position (chosen by handler) while the handler moves away for two minutes.
Food Manners
Dogs need to be calm around food, and not steal food.
In this exercise food is to be eaten by the examiner in close proximity to the dog without the dog responding unduely.
Advancing on the bronze award this is to make sure your dog can be examined safely by a vet, when necessary.
In this exercise you need to be able to show the dog will allow the examiner to inspect all areas including, mouth, teeth, eyes, ears, stomach, tail and feet.
Rejoin Handler
Building on the Bronze return to handler, the handler will leave the dog and move approx 10 paces away.
The dog should call the dog, which will return to the handler for the lead to be replaced. This should not be a formal recall.
Responsibility and Care
Testing the knowledge of the handler on subjects relating to dog ownership.
The questions will be based on section one and two from the Responsibility and care leaflet.
The Silver class runs on a Wednesday night from 8:30pm Contact Us for more details
Examination of the Dog
The Award will cover the following areas: