Kings at Work
THERAPY DOGS
What is TDI (from the TDI, Inc):
The AKSC and Therapy Dogs
The AKSC has several members that are active Therapy dogs. The AKSC is proud to annouce another our newest AKSC therapy dog: Chateau De Chief's Chelsea. Chelsea makes frequent visits to nursing homes making all around her enamoured, with a gentle wag of her tail.
If you are interested in doing Therapy with your King, please contact your AKSC Director or Therapy dog International at tdi@gti.net for more information.
OBEDIENCE
THE AKSC and Obedience:
For over a decade, the AKSC has been active in promoting our Kings in various levels of Obedience. Our Kings have been High in Trial (Highest Scoring in Trial) in over ten all breed obedience trials, including ARBA Cherry Blossom (held in front of the Washington Monument), in Washington DC and the Rarities NAKC held in Sounthern NJ.
The AKSC offers various obedience titles for successfully completing on lead obedience work, deemed "Sub-Novice", or a "CDa" degree; successfully completing off lead obedience work, deemed "Novice", or a "CD" degree; and successfully competing advanced off lead work and jumps, deemed "Open Excellence", or a "CDEX" degree.
Ther AKSC encourages all owners of Kings to not only complete a beginner's obedience class, but an advanced obedience calss as well. for more information or assistance in your training techniques, please contact the AKSC!
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
The AKSC and Canine Good Citizen:
The AKSC strongly recommends all King Shepherds to obtain a CGC certificate. Started in 1989, CGC is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.
Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training as the first step in training their dogs. The Canine Good Citizen Program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events. As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you'll discover the many benefits and joys of training your dog. Training will enhance the bond between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the presence of people and other dogs, and they fully enjoy the company of the owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high quality life. We sincerely hope that CGC will be only a beginning for you and your dog and that after passing the CGC test, you'll continue training in obedience, agility, tracking, or performance events.
AKC's Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program Sponsored by K9 Advantix® is one of the most rapidly growing programs in the American Kennel Club. There are many exciting applications of this wonderful, entry level that go beyond the testing and certifying of dogs.
SCHUTZHUND
THE AKSC and Schutzhund:
We are proud to annouce that the AKSC had formed a Schutzhund club that is in the process of being registered in Germany. Thank you Bob Fenske for spearheading this new chapter in the AKSC book.
Definition of Schutzhund :
Schutzhund (Schh) tests dogs of all breeds for the traits necessary for police-type work. Dogs that pass Schutzhund tests should be suitable for a wide variety of tasks: police work, specific odor detection, search and rescue, and many others. The purpose of Schutzhund is to identify dogs that have or do not have the character traits required for these demanding jobs. Some of those traits are:
- Strong desire to work
- Courage
- Intelligence
- Trainability
- Strong bond to the handler
- Perseverance
- Protective Instinct
Schutzhund training tests these traits. It also tests physical traits such as strength, endurance, agility, and scenting ability. The goal of Schutzhund is to illuminate the character of a dog through training. Breeders can use this insight to determine how and whether to use the dog in producing the next generation of working dogs(German for "protection dog") tests dogs of all breeds for the traits necessary for police-type work. Dogs that pass Schutzhund tests should be suitable for a wide variety of tasks: police work, specific odor detection, search and rescue, and many others. The purpose of Schutzhund is to identify dogs that have or do not have the character traits required for these demanding jobs. Some of those traits are:
- Strong desire to work
- Courage
- Intelligence
- Trainability
- Strong bond to the handler
- Perseverance
- Protective Instinct
Schutzhund training tests these traits. It also tests physical traits such as strength, endurance, agility, and scenting ability. The goal of Schutzhund is to illuminate the character of a dog through training. Breeders can use this insight to determine how and whether to use the dog in producing the next generation of working dogs
Our Kings are very versatile and have the ability to accomplish a variety of different tasks. The ideal candidate for Schh has a well rounded, sound temperament and is very willing to please.
The AKSC SCHH club is in the process of securing various training sites in the North (Norther NJ) and South (Southern NJ, Del, MD). Please stay posted for more information.
AMERICAN TEMPERAMENT TEST SOCIETY, INC. (ATTS)
The AKSC and Temperament Testing:
The AKSC has been active and supportive of Kings participating in Temperament Tests. There are numerous AKSC Kings who have attined their Temperament Test title throughout the years.
The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS) is a national not-for-profit organization (registered in the state of Missouri) for the promotion of uniform temperament evaluation of purebred and spayed/neutered mixed-breed dogs.
ATTS was established to:
- Provide for a uniform national program of temperament testing of purebred and spayed/neutered mixed-breed dogs.
- Conduct seminars to disseminate information to dog owners, dog breeders and evaluators (testers) concerning dog psychology, motivation, reaction and other aspects of temperament testing.
- Recognize and award certificates to dogs that pass the requirements of the temperament evaluation.
- Work for the betterment of all breeds of dogs.
- Select, train, prepare and register temperament evaluators.
Our motto says all:
"A SOUND MIND IN A SOUND BODY"
ATTS is the only non-profit organization that gives the TT (Temperament Tested) title for a dog. The TT, our logo and test procedures are copyrighted. The test is for all breeds and it is uniform throughout the country.
ATTS was founded by Alfons Ertel in 1977. The first test was held in September 1977; ATTS has held more than 960 tests as of December 31, 2003. The number of dogs tested as of December 2006 is 27,162 with 22,138 dogs earning a TT title. The average overall pass rate is 81.5 percent; the pass rate may vary for different breeds. The breed's temperament, training, health and age of the dog is taken into account. Minimum age for dogs to take the test is 18 months.
The test takes about 12 minutes to complete. The dog is on a loose six-foot (6') lead and three ATTS trained evaluators score the dog. Majority rules. Failure on any part of the test is recognized when a dog shows panic, strong avoidance without recovery or unprovoked aggression.
National breed clubs can request the list of their breed which earned the TT for the previous year by sending a request accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope. A request for a complete list of all dogs of any one breed which have earned a TT is available, but breeds which have more than five pages of dogs will need to cover the cost of copying and postage.