Canine Good Citizen training: A dog’s life

What does it mean to be a good citizen? It means not jumping up on a visitor when they come through the door.

It may mean not sniffing a new friend until you’ve been given the all-clear. Or being a good citizen can be the courtesy of not barking at a visitor you’ve seen many times before.

Who are these rules for, exactly? Our four-legged, furry friends of course!

Being a good citizen is as important for dogs as it is for humans. In order for dogs to be accepted and valued members of society, they need to learn the basics of how to behave so that other owners and non-dog lovers alike can enjoy being around your pooch.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) established the guidelines for their Canine Good Citizens program in 1989, and Florida was the first state in the nation to recognize the value of the program with House Resolution 2521, adopted on April 10, 1991. Since then, 33 more states have followed suit, acknowledging the importance of CGC programs that instruct pet owners on their responsibilities of pet ownership.

For more on this story, see the August 4 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.