Assessing canines

The stage is set for a different kind of dog show at Ngatitoa Domain next week.

While trainers will be expected to keep their pooches well-groomed, the skills being judged at the Canine Good Citizen assessment on March 14 go well beyond appearance.

Dogs will be judged on: good temperament; polite and controlled walking through public areas with various distractions; good manners around food or when meeting strangers and dogs; polite vehicle travel and basic calm stay skills if tied up and left for a short period unattended.

The New Zealand Kennel Club administers the certifications which recognise dogs that are well behaved, in control and a positive part of the community.

Titahi Bay Canine Obedience Club, which is hosting the event, regularly conducts domestic and competition dog obedience training at its club grounds on the edge of the domain.

Club spokesman Geoff Collins said he saw the certificate programme as a natural progression from their regular pet dog obedience training classes.

‘‘ Training for the Canine Good Citizen exercises encourages the sort of behaviour that dog owners would ideally like to have from their dogs and that non dog owners can also appreciate,’’ Mr Collins said.’’

Several dog control authorities in the region discount registration for a Cgc-titled dog.

Entry for the event closes in advance and dogs do not have to be members of the NZKC or the TBCOC to be eligible. But they must be registered with their council, have undertaken some form of recognised training in preparation for the assessment and be more than 12 months old. People (preferably without dogs) are welcome to come along and observe. The event begins at 6pm.

For more information contact Geoff Collins on 477 6369.