The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Gold Award is the highest level of achievement of the Scheme. It builds upon the skills learned in the Silver Award and develops more advanced training skills of the dog and handler. The Gold Award is a natural progression of practical dog training skills and introduces new concepts such as relaxed isolation, stop the dog and send the dog to bed exercises, which are important in every day life situations. The Gold Award aims to provide handlers with a greater knowledge and understanding of their canine companion. Dogs that are awarded a Gold Certificate should reach the required standards in all exercises and be a worthy representative of the Scheme’s highest standard. Where possible it is preferable that certain exercises are tested at indoor and outdoor locations. The course includes the following exercises:
- Road Walk
- Return to Handler’s Side
- Walk Free Beside Handler
- Stay Down in one Place
- Send the Dog to Bed
- Stop the Dog
- Relaxed Isolation
- Food Manners
- Examination of the Dog
- Responsibility and Care