THE KENNEL CLUB's GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME AWARD: We run regular courses to educate owners about the importance of having a well trained dog which is well socialised and whose obedience is at an acceptable level to other members of society. The scheme is not about competing or creating obedience champions, or training for the show ring. The scheme is to help you learn about responsible pet dog ownership, and to help you create a level of obedience where your dog can be controlled well in a public place, and not cause a nuisance to anyone or anything. For full details about the Good Citizen Dog Scheme and what it covers please click on the Kennel Club logo below:

We offer the Good Citizen Dog Scheme training as a continuation course for owners whose dogs have previously attended one of our courses, as well as for owners whose dogs have had no prior experience. If you have previously attended one of our courses, the cost of a 6 week course is £65, if you have previously trained with us or £70 to those who have received no prior training what so ever.

All the exercises have practical applications both at home, and for dogs in society. For example, getting a dog to pass through a doorway, or a gate, in a controlled manner, can prevent accidents from occuring. People have been pulled over leaving their house, or lost control as the dog has broken free, resulting in the dog running out into the road and being killed!

Stay in one place (Bronze level exercise one minute, Silver level 2 minutes). There are endless practical reasons why stay in one place can be useful.... last winter, a lady skidded on the ice and came down quite hard. I was able to put my dogs into a stay, whilst I went an assisted (it would not have been helpful had my dogs rushed up and leapt all over her, which many dogs would have done if their owners had not been able to secure them). There are also many many other everyday examples as to why stay is a useful exercise.

Come away from distractions (Silver level). Do you really want a dog who runs up to everyone it sees, other dogs? children? cyclists? etc. This exercise teaches you how to get your dog away from distracting situations.

Stop and wait? (Gold level) why do we teach this? this is a very useful tool for your dogs personal safety. For example, it could save your dogs life if it was running towards a road, and you are able to tell it to stop and wait.

Stay for 30 seconds whilst you go out of sight?(Gold level) why do we teach this? Many, many dogs end up in rescue centres with separation issues. In fact, it has been said that this is one of the biggest reasons people give up on their dogs. Teaching the dog to settle down in one place, and not follow you from one room to another can prevent these major behavioural problems from developing, and create a much more relaxed and happy dog. 30 seconds out of sight on the Gold level training is but a fraction of the time the dog should be able to cope with having their owner disappear out of sight.

All exercises, at all levels have practical applications, which can save you, and your dog from a great deal of stress, help with overall safety concerns, as well as prevention of accidents.

ACORN DOG TRAINING HOLDS THE KENNEL CLUB'S LISTED STATUS - The test at the end of each course is not compulsory,however, the option to take the test is there if you would like to receive the award. Fran Griffin and Glynis Gammie are Kennel Club approved examiners for the bronze/silver level.

We now offer a 10% discount to all members of MK Dog Watch upon proof of membership.

For description of exercises taught please click on the links below:

The Bronze Award The Silver Award

The Gold Award

Available courses:

Bronze levels training: Monday 20th February at 7.45pm with Glynis. Venue: New Bradwell Community Centre to book please call 01908 397236 or email

Saturdays at 1.00pm, Location: Brickhill Woods with Tracy. Practical outdoor training, as well as good citizens, this course can iron out some of the problems you are encountering in the REAL world. To book, please call 01908 397236 or email Tracy

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As with all our training classes, the methods we use are reward based, as well as kind, firm and very fair to the dog. We do not train with choke chains, or use any form of bullying.

George practising his "Go to bed" exercise for the Gold Award

WE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE EVERYONE WHO HAS TAKEN AND PASSED THE GOOD CITIZENS TEST 2012

Bronze Level

Hazel Acford and Jasmine, Miniature Poodle
Jo Cooke and Hobbs, Cockapoo

Gold Level
Kathy Killick and Rowan, Border Collie
Margaret Herod and Maisy, Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Hazel Acford and Zac, Standard Poodle
Angela Ruddock and Jake, Border Collie