Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Star puppies!

Chippewa
January 30, 2014

Future Leader Dog puppies being raised in the Chippewa Correctional Facility were tested by puppy counselor Tammy Bartz for the American Kennel Club's "S.T.A.R. Puppy Program." Tammy  is a "Canine Good Citizen" (CGC) evaluator for the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The AKC offers these programs for puppy/dog owners to recognize responsible ownership. The S.T.A.R. program is for puppies under one year of age. The CGC takes these skills to a higher level for older dogs.

From the AKC website, here are "20 steps to success: The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Test."
S ocialization
T raining
A ctivity
R esponsibility

OWNER BEHAVIORS:
1. Maintains puppy’s health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy)
2. Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge
3. Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan
4. Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator
5. Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy
6. Owner has obtained some form of ID for puppy-collar tag, etc.

PUPPY BEHAVIORS:
7. Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class
8. Free of aggression toward other puppies in class
9. Tolerates collar or body harness of owner’s choice
10. Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)
11. Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy

PRE-CANINE GOOD CITIZEN® TEST BEHAVIORS:
12. Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner
13. Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)
14. Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)
15. Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away
16. Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure
17. Down on command-Owner may use a food lure
18. Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called
19. Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away
20. Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)

Having met all the criteria for the S.T.A.R. program, the inmate raisers (and their puppies) at Chippewa were awarded medals and certificates on January 30, 2014.

Here are the team photos:

Two men are standing with a golden retriever that is sitting between them. The dog is wearing a baby blue jacket and a black graduation cap and a metal around its neck. The man on the left is wearing a blue longsleeve shirt and green pants. The man on the righ is wearing a white t-shirt, green pants and a blue baseball cap.
FLD Drummond and his current raisers.
Two men are sqatting with the same golden retriever between them. The dog is sitting down and is wearing a black graduation cap and medal around its neck. The man on the left is wearing a maroon sweatshirt and blue pants. The man on the right is wearing a blue shirt and green pants. On the wall behind them is a white poster with blue letters that say Leader Dogs for the Blind, with the Leader Dogs logo above it of a person with a guide dog.
FLD Drummond and his raisers that took him through the S.T.A.R. puppy test.
Two men wearing white t-shirts and blue pants are kneeling on one knee with a golden retriver betweent hem. They are trying to put a black graduation had on the dog. The dog is wearing a blue bandana with a white triangle patch with red letters that say Future Leader Dog and a black paw print. There is a yellow and blue ribbon around the dog's neck with a medal on it. Behind them on the wall is a poster that says Leader Dogs for the Blind.
FLD Bravo and his raisers, trying to put the graduation hat on him.
The same two men are kneeling on either side of the golden retriever, who is now wearing the black graduation hat.
Success! FLD Bravo and his raisers.
Two men are kneeling on one knee with a golden retriever between them. The man on the left is wearing a white t-shirt and blue pants. The man on the right is wearing a green sweatshirt and blue pants. Behind them on the wall is a white poster with Leader Dogs for the Blind written on it. The dog is wearing a black graduation cap and a yellow and lbue ribbon with medal around its neck.
FLD August and his raisers.
Two african american men are squatting with a black lab who is sitting between them. The men are wearing white t-shirts and blue pants and orange stripes. The man on the left has glasses. The lab has a black graduation cap on his head and is wearting a blue bandana. The man on the right has his hands around the dog. Behind them on the wall is a white poster with Leader Dogs for the Blind on it.
FLD Sammy and his raisers.
Two men are kneeling on one knee with a yellow lab sitting down between them. The men are wearing blue shirts and blue pants with orange sripes on the shoulders and legs. The dog is wearing a black graduation cap and has a yellow and blue ribbon around its neck wth a medal. A white poster is on the wall behind them that says Leader Dogs for the Blind.
FLD Zella and her raisers.
Two men are kneeling on one leg with a black lab sitting in front of the man on the left. That man is holding the dog with his hands. The men are wearing white t-shirts and blue pants with orange strips. Both men have shaved heads. The lab is wearing a black graduation cap with a yellow and lube ribbon around its neck with a medal and a blue bandana. A white poster is on the wall behind them that says Leader Dogs for the Blind.
FLD Nell and her raisers.
Two men are squatting down with a golden retriever sitting betweent hem. The men are wearing white t-shirts and blue pants. The golden retriever is wearing a black graduation cap and a yellow and blue ribbon with a medal around its neck. Behind them on the wall is a white poster with Leader Dogs for the Blind on it.
FLD Harper and the raisers that took him through the S.T.A.R. puppy test.

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4 comments:

  1. Just Jess for nowMarch 6, 2014 at 7:23 AM

    I didn't know about the STAR program. I'll have to look into it. Congratulations to the raisers and their puppis. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kim CMarch 7, 2014 at 7:10 AM

    Those are some very proud puppy raisers! The hard work is paying off!

    ReplyDelete
  3. DexterMarch 9, 2014 at 3:54 PM

    Just heard about your blog from my internet pal who visited with Nala. Really glad to find you. It's a fantastic program.

    Mango Momma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. pattibMarch 9, 2014 at 3:58 PM

      So glad you found us too! Thanks for reading and commenting. :)

      Delete

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