Zack, a three-year-old crossbreed from Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire has turned his life around, from being a bossy alpha male to a happy, energetic, enthusiastic dog, thanks to his loving owner, Jo Scargill, and the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme (GCDS).

Jo got Zack in April 2012 from Yorkshire Rose Dog Rescue and they have been together for 18 months, but it has not all been plain sailing for Jo as she struggled to come to terms with Zack’s difficult behaviour.

Jo commented: “Zack was a very bossy alpha male, and he had been allowed to do exactly what he wanted, when he wanted, and it was difficult but I could see the potential in the dog that I thought he could become.”

Jo decided to attend training classes and the pair started GCDS classes, part of the UK’s largest dog training programme, at Courteous Canines.

Both dog and owner found the classes beneficial and it wasn’t long until they started to see significant improvements in his behaviour – before long Zack passed his GCDS Bronze and Silver awards.

Jo continues: “Going to weekly classes has been a lifeline for me and Zack - it has given us both structure and focus and the trainers have been brilliant. I am now at the point where people I don’t know are stopping me and complimenting me on how well Zack is doing.

“I can’t explain how much my confidence has increased over the last few months. I am now able to take Zack to different places and this is as a direct result of the Good Citizen training. The GCDS has been great, it’s open for anyone and everyone who wants to train their dogs and I couldn’t recommend it enough. We’ve set our sights on the Gold award next.

“If I am completely honest, I am not certain I would still have Zack without the level of training and support I have received through the scheme and the trainers at Courteous Canines. If that had happened, it would have meant Zack would have had three homes in as many years – which is just unbearable to think about.”

The pair have both come on in leaps and bounds and have even started agility training together.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “Congratulations to Jo and Zack for all their hard work. It’s a fantastic example of the importance of training and responsible dog ownership.

“Now in its 21st year, the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme’s aim is to promote responsible dog ownership. Since the GCDS was founded in 1992, over 450,000 pass certificates have been issued to dogs and their owners. With thanks to Courteous Canines, Zack is one of thousands of dogs to have achieved their Silver award.”

For more information about the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme, visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dogtraining