Congratulations to Gus, a very cute and active German Shepherd puppy and his owners Bruce and Amanda Herrick for passing the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) S.T.A.R. (socialization, training, activity and a responsible owner) Puppy Program. Gus was evaluated by Michael Burkey of Michigan Dog Trainer, a certified AKC STAR Puppy evaluator on February 8, 2012 in Plymouth, Michigan.
The goals of the AKC STAR Puppy Program include:
- Providing socialization and training to puppies enrolled in AKC STAR Puppy classes
- Teaching owners about the appropriate amount of exercise (or activity) for their puppies
- Teaching owners how to be responsible dog owners.
It’s a non-competitive program open to mixed breed and pure breed puppies under one year of age. Puppies and owners are evaluated during the course as well as a final evaluation as to the owners’ knowledge of raising a puppy, the puppy exhibiting non aggression, and the team demonstrating puppy canine good citizen behaviors (puppy obedience).
Having completed the STAR Puppy Program, Gus and his parents become eligible to receive:
- a gorgeous AKC STAR Puppy Medal
- an attractive frame-able certificate
- a new puppy handbook
- a monthly online newsletter that includes training tips
- a discount to enroll in the Companion Animal Recovery, a 24 hour service if your puppy gets lost and
- listing in the AKC STAR Puppy records
