> What are they thinking of taking dogs out with the risk of fireworks going off, why cause the dogs stress.Doing this can make a dog fearful of going out in the dark ever again. The test is just not worth it. The accessor and the Instuctor such know better.
>

To be fair not all dogs are frightened of fireworks and my dog was the only one of those taking the test who had a fear of fireworks. Before the incident that I mentioned previously my dog was not bothered by fireworks at all - he would sit out in the garden and watch them with us. He is still bombproof with gun shots and bird scarers and takes no notice of thunder during the daylight hours but after dark both fireworks and thunder bother him.

Both my trainer and the assessor were excellent and put my dog's needs before anything else and I cannot fault them for the way they handled our test.

matingale full chain type of coller and a short black leather lead, cant show my boys on a slip lead they are too stong.

Thanks, only asked as my sister used to use a full slip and I thought that may be the breed norm but it seems not.

It could be if you take it at a show the acceptance of show tack is thought to be advisable.

Hi Harley, glad you were happy with your test and I hope you did well.
I do stand by what I said. I have seen the effect fireworks can have on previously bombprove dogs if one goes off very load or very near the dog. Watching them in the safety of thier own garden is one thing, and out side somewhere else is another.
You are right that not all dogs are frightened of fireworks mine is'nt, but I want to keep it that way.
This is becoming a different subject.
'HAS ANYONE FOUND WHERE THE ONE COLLAR RULE IS WRITTEN YET?' Please let us know.

It could be if you take it at a show the acceptance of show tack is thought to be advisable.

nope - it was a show where I was told 1 collar only, separate collar and lead and no reinforcing the stay in any way (voice or hand signal) after it had begun.  I think it's 100% down to the examiners (even though these examiners told me that this was all new across the board so everyone was playing by the same rules)

What worries me is that these "NEW" rules do not seem to be the ones the KC are publishing so where are they coming from?

What worries me is that these "NEW" rules do not seem to be the ones the KC are publishing so where are they coming from?

That's my point.

When I went on a training seminar the meaning of 'a collar and lead' was expanded on to mean  a 'separate collar and lead' and 'not an all in one collar' such as a gencon, figure of eight or a 'slip lead'. 

But obviously, some people are now interpreting 'a collar and lead' to mean 'one collar and lead'.

To add further confusion I received my Listed Status Renewal letter yesterday.  There is a Declaration on the back that all instructors/co-ordinators are required to  quote " acknowledge and agree to abide by the KC rule and regularions and follow the good citizen dog scheme guideline that may be updated from time to time". unquote.

It also states in this Declaration quote " I (meaning the signing instructor/co-ordinator) will ensure that any Examiner invited to test at the above named Organisation (meaning training club etc ) will have read the scheme Guidelines and conduct the test to the required standards" unquote.

So in signing to this Declaration, instructors are agreeing to abide by rules that may change but seemingly they do not get notified of the changes.  We certainly haven't been advised of this 'one collar only' rule.  Also, we explained to the examiner who was coming to test me that I had spoken to a senior KC  representative who said it was nothing to do with the number of collars worn and that my dog could wear his second collar anyway.  What did this examiner do?  over-rule us, the Kc Representative  and insist on doing it her way when there is no rule to be found!!

Where does this leave instructors and co-ordinators who are being asked to implement and police the Guidelines and examiners?

I would love for a KC representative of this scheme to come and explain to me how this is viable but so far I've not had even an acknowledgement of my complaint.

It seems to be a shambles. 

I have just had an emailed reply back from the KC about the wearing of 2 collars.

This email states that quote "a dog can wear an additional collar as well as its normal collar (the one the lead and ID tag attaches to) for its GCDS test." unquote

It goes on to say that these such  matters should be discussed with the examiner before the test.

So, in view of the Declaration that instructors/co-ordinators now have to sign to renew their Listed Status perhaps we have know what the Guidebook says and stand up to these examiners who obviously don't know what they are doing.

In my case, we did do the above and  the examiner refused to accept what we were telling her even though we had got permission from the KC so it still leaves people in a sticky situation.  I guess if we're not happy with the examiner we have to find another.

I think there are two issues here.

First of all, unfortunately (IMHO) anyone can examine the KCGCDS tests including people who have not got a clue. One of the reasons the KC brought in the assessor scheme was to provide a degree of consistency across the piece.

Secondly, as a KC approved examiner (gold) I can verify that you are allowed to use half checks AND full checks on dogs for the exam. The guidelines are very clear, the collar must be suitable for the dog. I would not for example consider a flat collar very suitable for a heavily coated breed.

There is some discretion for examiners re the head collar etc, however my personal view is that if you cannot control your dog without using a head collar then you have not reached the same standard as others who can.  Harnesses are ONLY permitted if accompanied by a note from the vet etc.

T shirts etc are not allowed.

There is NO reason you could not wear two collars, however I would NOT permit a dog to be under test on a gundog slip lead, as this is NOT a collar and lead and IMHO not suitable for use on the street (perfectly suitable for its purpose though in the field etc).

If you have an issue with a particular instructor/club/assessor I would write to the kennel club.

It is unfortunate that as an examiner I often examine dogs which have been ill prepared by instructors and the most common reason I have to mark "not ready"?

Failure of the dog to wear legallly compliant ID!

> Harnesses are ONLY permitted if accompanied by a note from the vet etc.

What is wrong with Harnesses? I walk all my dogs on harnesses as I feel it is much better for them than a collar as it stops the pressure on the neck. It seems strange that I could use a choke collar but not a harness?

Would think because they should not be necessary, but I could be wrong, collars should not cause any pressure on the neck if the dog is working at heel.

> Failure of the dog to wear legallly compliant ID!

Now that surprises me. The clubs I have been with were very vigilant about that, to the extent that one club offered a tag service at Puppy level (perhaps they made some money that way, but who cares? they were following the letter of the law & scheme). They impressed upon us what was required for the test... and everyone was given weeks of opportunity to conform to it.

At the end of the day, everyone participating in KCGCS gets the same print-out of what is expected.

Whether you agree with the current law on ID or not, a GOOD and conscientious trainer will make sure you have a dog that complies. Bit of a fundamental failing if not, hey?