How AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is Part of Being a Responsible Puppy Owner
New puppies are exciting and adorable. But they are also a lot of work. For example, you need to socialize your puppy, tackle puppy potty training, and teach good manners. All steps toward being a responsible puppy owner. It can all seem a bit overwhelming. However, the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is here to help.
What is AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy?
Open to both purebred and mixed breed dogs, the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program is all about starting your relationship with your new puppy on the right foot. The S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and a Responsible owner – the pillars of good puppy ownership. The program covers all the steps you should be taking to meet your puppy’s needs and to prepare your new pet for a happy and well-mannered adulthood.
First, you enroll in a six-week or longer AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class taught by an AKC approved Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. This will help your puppy develop basic manners. It will also provide you with human-canine communication tips and the chance to get all your puppy-related questions answered. At the end of the course, your instructor will carry out the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test. When you and your puppy pass, you will receive an application to send to the AKC for enrollment in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program.
Plus, to acknowledge all the hard work you have done with your puppy, your puppy will get the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal (great for display or photo ops) and be listed in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records. You will also get the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package including a frameable certificate, the digital edition of the AKC’s New Puppy Guide, and an ongoing monthly newsletter with training tips. Best of all, your puppy will be on the path to completing the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program, the gold standard for polite dog behavior and a fantastic head start for the fun and exciting world of dog sports.
What Is Involved in AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy?
The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program includes puppy behaviors and owner behaviors. The owner behaviors involve aspects of responsible dog ownership. For example, obtaining some sort of ID for the puppy, such as a collar tag, and maintaining the puppy’s health.
You will also take a Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge. Responsible dog ownership is a key component of the program, and the pledge used is the same as the one in the CGC program. It includes formally promising to maintain your dog’s safety, health, and quality of life. For example, being responsible for your puppy’s veterinary care, ensuring your puppy doesn’t infringe on the rights of others, and providing basic training and playtime.
Your puppy’s role in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program involves exhibiting specific behaviors and learning certain skills. The behaviors require your puppy be free of aggression toward people and other puppies for at least the six weeks of class. Your puppy should also tolerate being hugged or held. Finally, your puppy should allow you to take away a treat or toy.
The skills you need to teach your puppy involve basic manners. In order to pass the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test, the puppy must:
1. Allow petting by a person who is not the owner.
2. Allow the owner to handle and give a brief examination.
3. Walk on a leash in a straight line.
4. Walk past other people who are five feet away.
5. Sit on command.
6. Lie down on command.
7. Come to the owner from five feet when the name is called.
8. Handle a distraction calmly, such as a dropped chair.
9. Stay on leash with another person while the owner walks away.
What Are the Benefits of AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy?
There is an obvious benefit to having a well-behaved and well-adjusted puppy. You will spend more time enjoying your new pet’s company and less worrying about bad behaviors and mischief. Your puppy will also understand your expectations, easing stress and confusion. And your puppy will be on the road to becoming a polite adult dog who is welcome anywhere.
There are less obvious reasons to participate in the program too. To start, you and your puppy will be closer to completing the CGC Program, which reinforces good behavior, builds confidence, and helps your dog feel calm in stressful situations. In addition, the work you do in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program takes love, praise, and patience – all positive ways of interacting with your puppy. That will strengthen your bond with your dog and build your communication skills. Finally, you will be meeting some of your puppy’s most fundamental needs as you participate. For example, attending classes will provide essential socialization. And training new skills will give your puppy important mental stimulation.
What Comes Next?
After completing AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, your dog is ready to jump into CGC training. CGC is open to dogs at any age, and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy isn’t a mandatory prerequisite. But completing AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy first will certainly help put your pup’s best paw forward.
With a CGC award under your belts, you and your dog are ready to pursue other fun and challenging activities. For example, you might continue obedience training by pursuing Obedience or Rally. If trick training is more up your alley, consider AKC Trick Dog. With your CGC title, you and your dog will only have to perform five tricks from the Novice checklist to obtain your AKC Novice Trick Dog Title. Finally, if you loved your CGC experience, keep going with AKC Community Canine or AKC Urban CGC.
With so many reasons to participate in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, new puppy owners should get started right away. Find an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class in your area and start reaping the rewards.
5 Essential Commands You Can Teach Your Dog
Having a trained dog isn’t the same as having a balanced dog, but if your dog knows a few basic commands, it can be helpful when tackling problem behaviors — existing ones or those that may develop in the future.
Sit
This is one of the easiest dog obedience commands to teach, so it’s a good one to start with.
Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.
Move your hand up, allowing his head to follow the treat and causing his bottom to lower.
Once he’s in sitting position, say “Sit,” give him the treat, and share affection.
Repeat this sequence a few times every day until your dog has it mastered. Then ask your dog to sit before mealtime, when leaving for walks, and during other situations where you’d like him calm and seated.
Come
This command can help keep a dog out of trouble, bringing him back to you if you lose grip on the leash or accidentally leave the front door open.
Put a leash and collar on your dog.
Go down to his level and say, “Come,” while gently pulling on the leash.
When he gets to you, reward him with affection and a treat.
Once he’s mastered it with the leash, remove it — and practice the command in a safe, enclosed area.
Down
This can be one of the more difficult commands in dog obedience training. Why? Because the position is a submissive posture. You can help by keeping training positive and relaxed, particularly with fearful or anxious dogs.
Find a particularly good smelling treat, and hold it in your closed fist.
Hold your hand up to your dog’s snout. When he sniffs it, move your hand to the floor, so he follows.
Then slide your hand along the ground in front of him to encourage his body to follow his head.
Once he’s in the down position, say “Down,” give him the treat, and share affection.
Repeat it every day. If your dog tries to sit up or lunges toward your hand, say “No” and take your hand away. Don’t push him into a down position, and encourage every step your dog takes toward the right position. After all, he’s working hard to figure it out!
Stay
Before attempting this one, make sure your dog is an expert at the “Sit” command.
First, ask your dog to “Sit.”
Then open the palm of your hand in front of you, and say “Stay.”
Take a few steps back. Reward him with a treat and affection if he stays.
Gradually increase the number of steps you take before giving the treat.
Always reward your pup for staying put — even if it’s just for a few seconds.
This is an exercise in self-control for your dog, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a while to master, particularly for puppies and high-energy dogs. After all, they want to be on the move and not just sitting there waiting.
Leave it
This can help keep your dog safe when his curiosity gets the better of him, like if he smells something intriguing but possibly dangerous on the ground! The goal is to teach your pup that he gets something even better for ignoring the other item.
Place a treat in both hands.
Show him one enclosed fist with the treat inside, and say, “Leave it.”
Let him lick, sniff, mouth, paw, and bark to try to get it — and ignore the behaviors.
Once he stops trying, give him the treat from the other hand.
Repeat until your dog moves away from that first fist when you say, “Leave it.”
Next, only give your dog the treat when he moves away from that first fist and also looks up at you.
Once your dog consistently moves away from the first treat and gives you eye contact when you say the command, you’re ready to take it up a notch. For this, use two different treats — one that’s just all right and one that’s a particularly good smelling and tasty favorite for your pup.
Say “Leave it,” place the less attractive treat on the floor, and cover it with your hand.
Wait until your dog ignores that treat and looks at you. Then remove that treat from the floor, give him the better treat and share affection immediately.
Once he’s got it, place the less tasty treat on the floor… but don’t completely cover it with your hand. Instead hold it a little bit above the treat. Over time, gradually move your hand farther and farther away until your hand is about 6 inches above.
Now he’s ready to practice with you standing up! Follow the same steps, but if he tries to snatch the less tasty treat, cover it with your foot.
Don’t rush the process. Remember, you’re asking a lot of your dog. If you take it up a notch and he’s really struggling, go back to the previous stage.
Just these five simple commands can help keep your dog safer and improve your communication with him. It’s well worth the investment of your time and effort. Remember, the process takes time, so only start a dog obedience training session if you’re in the right mindset to practice calm-assertive energy and patience.