The most recent Canine Good Citizen Outreach classes hosted by the ACE program had a fantastic showing of twenty-five total handlers. These classes are open to the public, and there have been numerous success stories from the recent round of classes. The CGC classes were six weeks long with three sessions.
There were two Animal Science students responsible for leading the classes, Elayna Wenning and Abbigail Wright. The two students are both certified Instructors and Evaluators under the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen program, along with associate professor Cheryl Morris. They did an amazing job applying their canine knowledge to help the dog handlers in attendance.
The American Kennel Club offers the Canine Good Citizen classes as a way to educate owners on the basics of dog training and handling. It also works to improve the dog’s behavior and strengthen the bond with their owner. The program is a great resource for a variety of dogs and is open to dogs of any age and breed. The Canine Good Citizen certificate is also a pre-requisite for therapy dog training as well as advanced dog sports and activities.
On March 11th, we held the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) tests. The Canine Good Citizen test consists of ten skills that reflect good dog manners and a marked level of responsibility recognized in their owners. The result was five successful puppies being awarded their American Kennel Club (AKC) S.T.A.R. Puppy. Eight dogs also earned the title of AKC Canine Good Citizen certificates. Another eight dogs accomplished AKC Novice Tricks titles.
Dr. Dalton Humphrey, an assistant research professor in the Department of Animal Science, and his dog Birdie had an extraordinary night. The duo earned all three titles during the test.
The American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen classes are an example of the impactful work being done in the Department of Animal Science. Students are given the opportunity to gain experience in companion animal science from the guidance of professors like Cheryl Morris, while dogs and their owners are bettering their skills together.
If you are interested in The American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen program or learn more, follow the link: https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/