Proud To Be A Canine Good Citizen

We adopted Astrid on December 28, 2006 and that following May we moved to Charlotte, NC. At that point, I was totally unfamiliar with BSL - Breed Specific Legislation. When it comes to BSL and a dog's temperament, there are all kinds of opinions out there but the facts are that a dog's temperment is determined by the nurturing and training methods used. 

I quickly became aware of Breed Specific Legislation when we were denied insurance for the house we rented while looking for the home we wanted to buy. Astrid had been labeled a Rottweiler at the shelter and Rottweilers were discriminated against by our first choice of insurance companies. Being unaware of the magnitude of the BSL issue, I didn't take it seriously at that point but started to do a little research. Turned out, BSL is everywhere usually starting out with a dog bite incident that is sensationalized by the media spreading fear throughout a community. 

Immediately, Astrid and I took action. Yes, we absolutely understood that Astrid will be judged by her color. Even though she is a mix of 'who knows what' and about 20 to 60 pounds lighter that a Rottweiler...she will be labeled such because of her black with brown markings. Our very first course of action was to show that Astrid and most Rottweilers are good companions and community members. We discovered the AKC Canine Good Citizen  program and learned the requirements. Having fun with the training required, that following year Astrid became an AKC Canine Good Citizen proving that she meets the program's standards for being a good member of her family and community.

An excellent, common sense approach to the dangers of Breed Specific Legislation can be found at 'NO BUTS ABOUT BSL...Stand Up & Help Stop Breed Discrmination.

Many dogs sport the same colors. Here's just a few that show a striking resemblence to Astrid's own colors...and no, that last picture is not Astrid. It appears to be that wonderful breed called 'All Mixed Up'.

It's official. Astrid is now a Canine Good Citizen!

The American Kennel Club offers a program called the Canine Good Citizen. It is a certificate program where the dog takes a 10 point test and if they pass, are rewarded with a certificate signifying that they have shown they have good manners both in the community and at home. Passing this test was very important to Astrid and me. First, Astrid is a shelter dog with a motto of 'Adopt, Don't Shop'. That makes it very important to us in proving what good pets shelter dogs can make. Secondly, there is a wave of discrimination sweeping the country against certain breeds of dogs and Astrid just happens to look like one of them. Astrid is a self appointed spokes dog for big, black and brown, shelter dogs everywhere.

Passing the test did not come without it's exciting moments. Most was a piece of cake for well mannered Astrid, but she is a bit of a social butterfly and the testing took place smack in the middle of a AKC Responsible Pet Ownership Festival. Cars, people, dogs...and yes, a few kitties looking for good homes everywhere. We had practiced so much both in and out of the classromm that most of it was routine and practically mechanical for Astrid. That is until we came to 'come when called'. I left Astrid in a sitting position with the evaluator and walked a short distance away. Turning, the route was lined with onlookers with their dogs. Calling Astrid, she immediately began running towards me when suddenly she spotted an Australian Shepherd on the sidelines that she must have thought was mighty cute, because she made a brief side trip to deliver a few kisses to the Aussie. I must have gotten out 'the voice' and called her a little louder, giving a clap of the hands (which I never do). That brought her concentration back to me, and brought her running over, completing the testing.

I'm not sure where we will go from here. It's often remarked that Astrid would make a good therapy dog. Rally Obedience is fun, and also would keep me moving. Whatever direction we take, Astrid is pure joy. Big, black and brown shelter dogs rock!