Every dog has its day, and on May 29, six adorable and adoptable dogs from the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League enjoyed their graduation day. The first Canine Good Citizenship class participants celebrated their completion of the six-week pilot program and received their “dogplomas.”
In an effort to increase adoptability of the league’s square-headed dogs, also known as pit bulls, the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League chose six adoptable shelter dogs to participate in its first program. The dogs chosen include Jada, who was the oldest dog in the program at 7 years old, and the league’s longest-term attendees: Goldie (362 days) and Mona Lisa (330 days). A staff member or volunteer committed to working with a particular dog for the entire six-week course. They not only have to attend the hour-long class once a week, they also come to the shelter and spend time training the dog at least three times per week.
Canine Good Citizen is part of the AKC Family Dog Program, and many dog owners choose CGC as their first step in training their dogs. It also provides a great foundation for getting started in dog sports. Those that participate in the CGC program realize many benefits and joys of training, such as enhancing the bond with their dog. Dogs with basic obedience training are a pleasure to live with, interacting well with other people and pets, and responding well to household routines. The CGC program offers many practical advantages as well, such as being a prerequisite for many therapy dog groups and some homeowners’ insurance companies encourage CGC testing. There is also an increasing number of apartments and condos that require that resident dogs pass the CGC test.
“In order to be officially CGC certified, a dog must have a pet parent, so when folks adopt a dog that has gone through this program, we will offer the new parent a free six-week training session and test right here on our campus,” said Rich Anderson, executive director/CEO of the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League.
For more information about the AKC CGC class, visit www.akc.org. Peggy Adams offers free drop-in obedience classes. To learn more about these classes and/or how to adopt one of these dogs, visit www.peggyadams.org. Adoption fees are waived for dogs 40 pounds and over.
The mission of the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League of the Palm Beaches is to provide shelter to lost, homeless and unwanted animals; to provide spay and neuter and other medical services for companion animals; and to care for, protect and find quality homes for homeless and neglected companion animals, as well as to advocate animal welfare, community involvement and education to further the bond between people and animals. For more information, visit www.peggyadams.org.
All programs at the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League support the Countdown 2 Zero (C2Z) initiative and its goal of saving all adoptable animals in Palm Beach County. For more information visit www.countdown2zero.org.
