Heartland Dog Club of Florida

Sebring, Florida

The Heartland Dog Club of Florida (HDC) announces it is celebrating AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day (RDOD) in conjunction with the American Kennel Club® (AKC) on September 15, 2012. The goal of this initiative is to educate dog owners about the responsibilities of dog ownership and to help all dog owners enhance their relationships with their pets.

On September 15, 2012, between 10AM and 1PM, the HDC is conducting Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Tests for dogs at Lakeshore Mall Sebring, FL. There will be free dog-related information and materials available for adults and children. HDC members will be available with their dogs for “Meet the Breeds”.

HDC members, their dog companions, owners and their registered Therapy Dogs will also be available for Q & A sessions regarding AKC dog shows, obedience and Rally trials, training, and responsible dog ownership. There will be Obedience demonstrations. Additionally, presentations using “AKC Safety Around Dogs” with AKC materials for children and adults will be available.

The CGC Program is a two-part program designed to (1) teach responsible dog ownership to owners and (2) certify dogs that have the training and demeanor to be reliable, well-behaved members of their families and communities. The purpose of the program is to ensure that our favorite companion, the dog, can be a respected member of the community. Owners train and condition their dog(s) to act mannerly in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. AKC has instituted the S.T.A.R. Puppy Program for puppies up to one year of age.

The CGC Test is not a competition and does not require the owner/handler and dog to perform with precision. Handlers may talk to their dogs throughout the test, but cannot offer food or a toy.

The test is open to all dogs—registered and unregistered—over the age of six (6) months. All 10 tests are performed on-leash. Dogs should wear a well-fitted buckle or slip collar made of leather, fabric, or chain. The test does not permit owners/handlers to use Special Training Collars or devices [e.g. pinch collars or ‘head halters’]. The 6’ leash should be leather or fabric.

Dogs must be healthy, in good condition, and clean to pass the test. Each dog must pass each of the following 10 test categories:

  1. Accepting a friendly stranger6. Sit and down on command and stay in place
  2. Sitting politely for petting7. Come when called
  3. Appearance and grooming8, Reaction to other dogs
  4. Walking on a loose leash9. Reactions to visual and auditory distractions
  5. Walking through a crowd10. Supervised separation

To learn more about AKC RDOD and the CGC test, visit

See you Saturday, September 15, 2012, at Lakeshore Mall,US 27, Sebring,at 10AM

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Media Contact:Dr. Laura Van Horn, President & Public Education Coordinator; Heartland Dog Club of Florida