The APDT Good Companion Awards
These new awards are a national scheme designed to give all well trained pet dogs, recognition for being Good Companions through positive reward based training methods.
Windrush Dogs for Life is proud to have been closely involved with the development of this new Award Scheme.
The first two Awards to be launched are Puppy Good Companion and Foundation Good Companion.
Any customer of an APDT trainer may apply to take the assessment and all customers who have completed the Windrush Dogs for Life Foundation Clicker Course will be offered the assessment as part of the course. All previous customers are invited to come along and take th assessment free of charge (a donation to Dog AID would be appreciated however).
Successful applicants to the scheme will be awarded a Certificate and a Rosette to be proud of, which will be recognised by APDT Trainers throughout the UK and in time throughout the dog training world.
The Puppy Good Companion Award will assess crucial areas of a puppy's training, while taking full account of the puppy's age, stage of development and any particular difficulties or disabilities. This assessment is for puppies up to 26 weeks of age.
The Foundation Good Companion Award has some similar features to the Puppy Award, but has been designed to account for the needs of dogs of all ages including those who have disabilities or emotional and behavioural difficulties.
The main emphasis for these Assessments is the training methods and the way in which people generally handle and manage their dogs.
"All exercises must comply with the APDT Code of Practice and positive motivational methods must be employed at all times. Clickers, food and toys may be used wherever needed and appropriate for reward purposes but not as a lure. Instructors may guide and assist throughout.
Assessment to be made of handlers ability to deal with any problems that may occur in a kind, fair and effective manner while encouraging the puppy to go through the assessment criteria."
The Puppy Good Companion Award covers elements such as lead walking, coming when called, greeting behaviour, behaviour when handled, sit and down.
The Foundation Good Companion Award has 8 'Core Elements' and 4 'Choice Elements' of which 2 should be chosen to demonstrate for the assessment.
A full copy of the assessment criteria for the scheme will soon be available on the APDT website but in the meantime it is available by e-mail or post, simply use the Contact Form on the website or e-mail mail@windrushdogsforlife.co.uk or telephone 01437 767648 or 07962220625.
Kerri Bee FdSc CBT
Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers 00999