Links
(Click on any logo for more information about that organization or club.)
All-Breed And Ridgeback Clubs & Organizations We Are Proud Members Of
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Ridgeback Rescue Groups & Charity Organizations
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Health Links
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WhelpWise & Veterinary Perinatal Specialists |
Other Ridgeback Links of Interest
Lure Coursing Organizations
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Beginning Dog Training & the AKC
Where do I begin?
The best way to start is to join a local dog-training club. A list of AKC-affiliated clubs is available by clicking HERE. Local clubs frequently offer various levels of puppy or beginning training classes for different aged puppies or young adult dogs. Having a well-behaved puppy should be your ultimate goal, but the relationship that training builds between you and your dog is equally rewarding. Many AKC-affiliated clubs and private training facilities offer puppy and beginning training classes built around the various aspects of the AKC Family Dog Program. The Family Dog Program is a comprehensive good manners series developed by the American Kennel Club to help owners improve their dog's behavior and help form the foundation dogs need to participate in other AKC Dog Sports and Companion Events. This program begins with puppies under one year of age in the S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, then progresses through the Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, Urban Canine testing levels. The Family Dog Program also includes recognition for families who are avid walkers through their Fit Dog Program and awards titles to dogs who learn new tricks and those who provide therapy dog services within their community. Scroll down to find out more about the various aspects of the AKC Family Dog Program.
The best way to start is to join a local dog-training club. A list of AKC-affiliated clubs is available by clicking HERE. Local clubs frequently offer various levels of puppy or beginning training classes for different aged puppies or young adult dogs. Having a well-behaved puppy should be your ultimate goal, but the relationship that training builds between you and your dog is equally rewarding. Many AKC-affiliated clubs and private training facilities offer puppy and beginning training classes built around the various aspects of the AKC Family Dog Program. The Family Dog Program is a comprehensive good manners series developed by the American Kennel Club to help owners improve their dog's behavior and help form the foundation dogs need to participate in other AKC Dog Sports and Companion Events. This program begins with puppies under one year of age in the S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, then progresses through the Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, Urban Canine testing levels. The Family Dog Program also includes recognition for families who are avid walkers through their Fit Dog Program and awards titles to dogs who learn new tricks and those who provide therapy dog services within their community. Scroll down to find out more about the various aspects of the AKC Family Dog Program.
Click any logo to find out more!
S.T.A.R. Puppy Program
The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an exciting program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is an incentive program for loving dog owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through a basic training class. All puppies who complete the S.T.A.R. Puppy Program receive a frameable certificate and medallion from the American Kennel Club.
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Canine Good Citizen Progam (CGC)
Started in 1989, CGC is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test receive a frameable certificate from the American Kennel Club. The CGC is a title that appears on the dog’s title record at AKC.
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Community Canine Program (CGCA)
While Canine Good Citizen tests are simulations of real world skills, the goal of AKC Community Canine is to test the dog’s skills in a natural setting. For example, rather than the dog being tested in a ring, in AKC Community Canine, the “walks through a crowd” test item will involve the dog walking through a real crowd at a dog show, on a busy sidewalk, in a therapy dog setting, or at a training club. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGCA test receive a frameable certificate from the American Kennel Club. The CGCA is a title that appears on the dog’s title record at AKC.
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Urban Canine Good Citizen Progam (CGCU)
AKC Urban CGC requires that the dog demonstrate CGC skills and beyond in a setting that includes traffic, crowds, noises, smells and other distractions that are present in a city or town. AKC Urban CGC is a public access test that demonstrates dogs are well-behaved and well-trained when in public settings. The Urban CGC test can be used by dog-friendly business (e.g., lodging, retail, transportation, public facilities) to recognize and accept dogs with good manners. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGCU test receive a frameable certificate from the American Kennel Club. The CGCU is a title that appears on the dog’s title record at AKC.
Passing the Urban CGC test or Canine Good Citizen test does NOT make a dog a service dog or emotional support dog. A key distinction of service or emotional support dogs is that the owner/handler has a disability. It is unethical to misrepresent a pet dog as a service or emotional support animal.
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AKC Trick Dog Progam
Do you and your dog love to be the life of the party by showing off his arsenal of tricks? Then he might be perfectly primed to earn AKC Trick Dog titles! From the 1920’s and 1940’s when trick dogs such as Rin Tin Tin and Lassie won peoples’ hearts, trick dog training has become one of the most exciting new areas in dog training today. AKC Trick Dog title earners receive a frameable certificate and their titles are listed on the dog’s title record at AKC.
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AKC Therapy Dog Progam
Therapy work involves volunteers who schedule visits to various facilities and locations such a nursing homes, classrooms, libraries, assisted living centers, hospices, funeral homes, schools, shelters even courtrooms. Whether they’re working with a child who is learning to read, visiting a patient in a hospital or a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of other people. A dog can provide a valuable sense of reassurance, joy, or calmness to people experiencing stressful, lonely or depressing situations or general times in their life. Therapy Dog is an AKC program which recognizes the necessary therapy work performed by dogs through accepted organizations based on the number of visits. AKC Therapy Dog title earners receive a frameable certificate and their titles are listed on the dog’s title record at AKC.
Therapy dogs are NOT service dogs. Service dogs are dogs who are specifically trained to perform a task or tasks to assist a person with a disability or impairment. A service dog must be with their person at all times and has special access privileges in public places. It is unethical to misrepresent a pet dog as a service or emotional support animal.
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AKC Fit Dog Progam
Now more than ever, fitness is important for both dogs and people. The most commonly recommended exercise to improve fitness is walking. Walking is considered a safe activity that improves muscular strength, circulation, memory, weight loss, increases energy, helps with sleep, and reduces stress. The American Heart Association recommends walking a minimum of 150 minutes per week. Participation in the AKC FIT DOG program will bring health benefits to both you and your dog. The AKC FIT DOG magnet proudly declares to the world that you are committed to your dog’s health and fitness through regular exercise. You can order your magnet when you and your dog have met one of these fitness goals:
- Walked at least 30 minutes 5 times per week for a total of at least 150 minutes per week for at least 3 months.
For dogs and people in good shape. - Walked at least 15 minutes per session at least 10 times per week (e.g., two 15-min walks per day) for at least 3 months.
For dogs or people who would benefit from a walk that is a shorter duration, e.g., senior dogs.
AKC Dog Sports & Companion Events
How Do I Get Started?
The best way to start is to join a local dog-training club. A list of AKC-affiliated clubs is available by clicking HERE. Local clubs frequently offer training classes for various dog sports and companion events. Even if competition is not your ultimate goal, the relationship that training builds between you and your dog is very rewarding. Local clubs also have "fun matches," where you and your dog can test your skills in the "ring". Training and handling your dog in any dog sport or companion event is an exceptional and enjoyable experience. From your first attempted trial to the finished product of an AKC Championship title, you and your dog will develop an amazing and enduring bond. While training classes offer the best hands-on way to practice for the ring, watching exhibitors at various AKC trials and tests will also help you gain expertise. You’re on your way! AKC events bring many hours of enjoyment and bonding between you and your dog. You will make many friends in the sport, and enjoy your dog and your new hobby for many years to come.
The best way to start is to join a local dog-training club. A list of AKC-affiliated clubs is available by clicking HERE. Local clubs frequently offer training classes for various dog sports and companion events. Even if competition is not your ultimate goal, the relationship that training builds between you and your dog is very rewarding. Local clubs also have "fun matches," where you and your dog can test your skills in the "ring". Training and handling your dog in any dog sport or companion event is an exceptional and enjoyable experience. From your first attempted trial to the finished product of an AKC Championship title, you and your dog will develop an amazing and enduring bond. While training classes offer the best hands-on way to practice for the ring, watching exhibitors at various AKC trials and tests will also help you gain expertise. You’re on your way! AKC events bring many hours of enjoyment and bonding between you and your dog. You will make many friends in the sport, and enjoy your dog and your new hobby for many years to come.
Click any logo to find out more!
AKC Conformation
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Showing dogs is a great sport where the thrill of competition is combined with the joy of seeing beautiful dogs. Dog shows are one of many types of AKC dog events in which AKC-registered dogs can compete. Dog shows (conformation events) are intended to evaluate breeding stock. The size of these events ranges from large all-breed shows, with over 3,000 dogs entered, to small local specialty club shows, featuring a specific breed. The dog's conformation (overall appearance and structure), an indication of the dog's ability to produce quality puppies, is judged.
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AKC Rally
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AKC Rally is a companion sport to AKC Obedience. Both require teamwork between dog and handler along with similar performance skills. Rally provides an excellent introduction to AKC Companion Events for new dogs and handlers and can provide a challenging opportunity for competitors in other events to strengthen their skills. The canine team moves at their own pace, very similar to rally-style auto racing. Rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind, but it can still be very challenging for those who enjoy higher levels of competition. A Rally course includes 10 to 20 stations, depending on the level. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. Communication between handler and dog is encouraged and perfect heel position is not required, but there should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler.
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AKC Obedience
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Enter the world of AKC obedience and help your dog realize its full potential by competing in obedience trials and earning obedience competition titles. AKC obedience trials demonstrate the usefulness of the dog as a companion to man. Obedience trials showcase dogs that have been trained and conditioned to behave well in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. AKC trials and tests allow exhibitors and their dogs to enjoy companionship and competition as they proudly earn AKC titles.
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AKC Agility
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Running a dog in an agility trial is the ultimate game for you and your dog and is one of the most exciting canine sports for spectators. In an agility trial, a dog demonstrates its agile nature and versatility by following cues from the handler through a timed obstacle course of jumps, tunnels, weave poles and other objects. It’s an activity that strengthens the bond between dog and handler and provides fun and exercise for both, which might explain why it’s so enjoyable to watch and has become the fastest-growing dog sport in the United States!
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AKC Lure Coursing
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The purpose of the competitive lure coursing is to preserve and develop the coursing skills inherent in the sighthounds and to demonstrate that they can perform the functions for which they were originally bred. Although lure coursing events are artificial simulations of coursing, they are designed to measure and develop the characteristics of the sighthound breeds. Sighthounds are a special group of hounds that are bred to hunt by sight. The sighthound breeds are: Whippets, Basenjis, Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Afghan Hounds, Borzois, Ibizan Hounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Scottish Deerhounds, Salukis and Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Click HERE to find out more about AKC's Coursing Ability Test and events. Click HERE to find out more about AKC's FastCAT events. |
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AKC Tracking
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AKC Tracking is a canine sport that demonstrates a dog’s natural ability to recognize and follow a scent and is the foundation of canine search and rescue work. Unlike obedience and agility trials, where dogs respond to the owner’s commands, in tracking a dog is completely in charge, for only he knows how to use his nose to find and follow the track. For many, the greatest pleasure of tracking is the hours spent outside training and interacting with their dogs. The tracking community is known for its camaraderie and they all share in the excitement of a "pass" or the disappointment of a "fail."
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