Family pet wins training award...and beats cancer
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Charlie, a crossbreed dog from Biddulph, Staffordshire overcame a difficult start in life to achieve the UK’s highest award in dog training, before going on to face an even bigger challenge.
Charlie was rescued from a rehoming centre early in life by owner Val Dickens. With lots of training along the way, Charlie went on to attain the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme (GCDS) Gold Award before going on to his greatest triumph: beating cancer.
When Val first brought Charlie home she was struggling to control his behaviour problems and was advised to take Charlie to training classes. So, in 2003 she took Charlie to Danesford Obedience Club, where with support, determination and lots of training, Charlie completed the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Gold Award, the highest award of the UK’s largest dog training programme.
Val says: “We had originally planned to get a German Shepherd Dog but when we went to the rescue centre I instantly fell in love with Charlie. It was difficult at first as Charlie had been moved around a lot. He had been in four different homes in less than two years and he was acting up a little. I decided to go to training and we haven’t looked back since.”
After being given love and care by his new family, Charlie passed his Bronze, Silver and Gold GCDS awards in just over two years. Discussing the benefits of his training, Val says: “During the training we really bonded and he became so much more obedient and a lot calmer too. It was such a lovely course as it gave Charlie and I confidence and we even went on to compete together in obedience, flyball, agility as well as being in the Danesford dog display team - we even walked in the local carnival.”
Some years after completing the training, Charlie was diagnosed with cancer and had to have his right eye removed. A year later the cancer returned and he had to have laser surgery on his remaining eye.
Val continued: “It was a difficult time but we are so happy Charlie is well again. He looks great for 13 and deserves to have a nice retirement.”
Yvonne Kelsall, a Kennel Club Accredited Instructor from Danesford Dog Training said; “Charlie has come on in leaps and bounds since he started. He was not good with boisterous dogs and also a bit wary of some people. He is such a happy dog now and really is a good citizen despite everything he’s been through.”
Now in its 21st year, the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme’s aim is to promote responsible dog ownership. Since it was founded in 1992, over 446,000 pass certificates have been issued to dogs and their owners.
To find a Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme class near you, please visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/findadogclub. For more information about the GCDS, visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dogtraining.
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