Hi hope you can help.
At puppy class last night our trainer said to me 'that's great - he'll meet the required standand if he does that in March for his 'I may be wrong here'...good citizen certificate.' Now I am fairly new to training as this is my first dog he is only four months old.
I hope I don't seem stupid. What is it? What sort of stuff will he have to do?
I would really like to here from anyone who has done this with a young puppy before.
Thanks,
Lisa

I believe but am not totally sure that this is a certificate awarded by the kennel club and the dog under goes various obedience test (think they are set in stages) to say that it is classed as a good citizen - this will show that your dog has had obedience training and that you have taken responsibility in socialising and training your dog.  I am sure someone on here will give more info and correct me if I am wrong :) Not done it myself but will be shortly!

If you go here: http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/ and click on the tab across the top that says training you will go to the pages explaining the Good citizen awards.  there are four.  A puppy/foundation one, Bronze, silver and Gold.

The link to the kennel club is a good one. For those who do not follow the link, the good citizen awards are based on general good behaviour as opposed to formal obedience such as that seen in competitions. The training is based at getting owners to be responsible and some of the test consists of the owner having to answer straightforward questions about the responsibilities of dog ownership, dog health etc. the doggie tests are to establish that the owner has a modicum of control over the dog. the awards are graded from simple to more complex. the bronze includes simple recall, allowing physical examination, going through doors politely, behaving calmly when meeting strangers and talking to others, and a short "stay". The silver is slightly more advanced, and the gold includes a longer "stay" with the owner out of sight, a walk in public without pulling, a "send away" to bed, more advanced heelwork.