Citizen Strummer
This morning, as the first snowfall of the season was dispersing, Strummer earned her Canine Good Citizen Certificate at Canine University in Malden.1
To earn her CGC Certification, Strummer had to successfully perform ten tasks, testing her behavior when being greeted by friendly strangers, around other dogs, and when being handled by a canine care professional (i.e. a groomer or a veterinarian); her reliability with the basic obedience commands, "sit," "down," "stay" and "come;" and her ability to maintain her poise (i.e. not bark continually) for three minutes while her owner was not in the room. She also had to show up for the test with a responsible owner, who was required to sign a pledge to take care of her health needs, safety, exercise, training and quality of life and to show responsibility by cleaning up after her in public places and never letting her infringe on the rights of others.
Strummer is looking forward to enjoying the rights of citizenship! In an article on "Dogs and apartments," the Dog Owners Guide suggests that Canine Good Citizen Certification can assuage a potential landlord's concerns about renting an apartment to the dog's owner (see also "Locating Pet-Friendly Apartments") and "Tips for Renters with Pets". It would be great if, as a Canine Good Citizen, Strummer were allowed to accompany her responsible owner in Somerville's parks. And it would be great if there were safe and legal areas in Somerville where Canine Good Citizens could enjoy off-leash recreation under the supervision of their responsible owners.
1You'd think Malden, the home of Canine University, would be a great place to be a dog, but Malden is considering breed-specific legislation, that would require owners of "pit bulls, rottweilers, chows, Doberman pinchers, shar peis and [wolf] mixed breeds, or any other dog whose behavior endangers a person's welfare . . . to apply for a special permit costing $100 and keep the animal leashed and muzzled whenever it leaves their property" (via Canine University News, November 2004). Of course it makes sense to hold owners of dogs "whose behavior endangers a person's welfare" accountable; it is the part of the legislation that targets dogs on the the basis of breed rather than behavior that is flawed. Did you know that the American Kennel Club does not recognize the pit bull as a breed? The AKC does recognize the American Staffordshire Terrier, as well as the Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The United Kennel Club, on the other hand, recognizes the American Pit Bull Terrier, as well as the Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but the UKC does not recognize the American Staffordshire Terrier.