Blog

I was doing some research for training and activities for Panda. One of the places I look at for this type of information is the American Kennel Club (AKC). I have also had some people asking about recommendations for mental stimulation. It was in response to a post about the importance of physically and mentally exercising your dog.

You do not have to purchase things or go somewhere to exercise your dog. It can be done in your home or yard. I must admit I buy many toys for Panda off Amazon.

But AKC has some good ideas for training and entertaining your four-legged friends. AKC has several different programs for you and your dog. Under the section for AKC Family Dog Program.

• AKC STAR Puppy – This is an excellent program for your puppy. One reason I like it so much is that one of the first things you learn is that you are the one being trained. Your puppy already knows how to be a dog. As a dog owner, you pledge to be responsible for your dog’s health needs. The pledge includes
  • Routine Veterinary Care
    • Checkups
    • Vaccines
  • Responsible for your dog’s safety

• I will properly control my dog by providing fencing where appropriate, not letting my dog run loose, and using a leash in public.
• I will ensure that my dog has some form of identification when appropriate (which may include collar tags, tattoos, or microchip ID).
• I will provide adequate supervision when my dog and children are together.
• Not to allow your dog to infringe on the rights of others
  • I will not allow my dog to run loose in the neighborhood.
  • I will not allow my dog to be a nuisance to others by barking while in the yard, in a hotel room, etc.
  • I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog’s waste in all public areas such as on the grounds of hotels, on sidewalks, parks, etc.
  • I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog’s waste in wilderness areas, on hiking trails, campgrounds and in off-leash parks.
• Responsible for your dog’s quality of life
  • I understand that basic training is beneficial to all dogs.
  • I will give my dog attention and playtime.
  • I understand that owning a dog is a commitment to time and caring.

That is the pledge then there is The AKC STAR Puppy test. Star is an Acronym and stands for: Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsibility (STAR).

There are three areas of focus on the test, Owners Behaviors with ten things the owner must do to pass.

Next is Puppy Behaviors. There are five behaviors that your puppy will have to learn. Then in preparation for the Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC), there is a section on Pre-Canine Good Citizen Test Behaviors. There are eight behaviors in this area. All eight require the owner and the dog to put forth the effort to meet the requirements equally.

I don’t mean to make this sound overwhelming. It is fun for the owner and the dog and is an excellent way to start your dog off on the right foot. The AKC STAR puppy class is available at many dog training locations.

When you complete the puppy training, you can move on to Canine Good Citizen (CGC). AKC has a broad selection of programs. Some require attending classes and being tested by a certified trainer, while others can be done at our home. AKC trick dog can be done at your home. To find out more, follow the link #pandaspage