Canine friends mind their manners
Club members show off their pets at show
Members of the Horowhenua Dog Obedience Dog Training Club were proudly showing off their well-behaved canine friends at the Levin AP&I show at the weekend, some of which even have awards for their good manners.
Owner Janet Ritchie brought along her dogs Dido, Sonnet and Harvey. Janet’s dog Harvey has his bronze Canine Good Citizen award and her other dog, Sonnet, has just started the foundation programme.
Janet explained: “It is a scheme which recognises well behaved dogs out and about — accepting friendly strangers, walking well on a leash, food manners and behaviour around other dogs.”
The Purina Pro Plan Canine Good Citizen™ is a certification programme that tests dogs in simulated everyday situations. It identifies and rewards dogs that have the training and demeanour to be reliable family members as well as goodstanding community members. It is open to all purebred and crossbred dogs.
There are four levels, foundation, bronze, silver and gold. Janet explained that at every
level, there is a theory test — “for the owners of course”. Questions cover legal obligations as a dog owner,
and responsible dog handling.
Proving very popular with show visitors, great dane Heathcliff is working on his
foundation award.
Owner Carol Webster said he was a “gentle giant”, and at home, his young female great dane companion, Cathy, ruled the roost.
They were named after Heathcliff and Cathy from the novel by Emily Bronte¨, (and song by Kate Bush) Wuthering Heights.
Janet’s other dog Dido works as a therapy dog through the organisation Canine Friends Pet Therapy.
This is a nationwide network of volunteers who share their well-behaved dogs with patients in rest homes, hospitals and hospices.
The dogs enjoy the attention, and the patients get comfort from patting and stroking visiting pets.
After a strict assessment test, successful dogs are given their red Canine Friends bandanna, and a place to visit is matched with the time and commitment the owner is able to give.
Canine members of the Horowhenua Obedience Dog Training Club were at the show displaying their skills on an agility course throughout both days. The Horowhenua Obedience Dog Training Club has its own clubrooms and grounds at Muau¯poko Park. The club has about 100 members who take part in obedience, agility, Rally-O, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), working trials, training and competitions.
For more information contact the club secretary: https://www. dogsnz.org.nz/clubs/ horowhenuaobedience-dogtraining-club
To find out more about canine therapy visit: https://www. caninefriends.org.nz