Puppy S.T.A.R. Program

Is a new puppy in your future? Perhaps your child asked Santa to fulfill a holiday wish. If so, please take a look at the new AKC S.T.A.R.sm Puppy Program. (www.akc.org/starpuppy) Designed to offer new pets a paws-up on their road to becoming a Canine Good Citizen, “S.T.A.R.” stands for Socialization, Training, Activity and a Responsible owner, all of the things a puppy needs to have a good life. Any puppy is eligible. Owners enroll the youngster in any puppy or basic training class that is at least six weeks long and instructed by an AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. To find a CGC evaluator in your area visit http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/cgc_bystate.cfm Could this puppy be a S.T.A.R.? Puppies can begin training once they’ve received necessary vaccines and they can enroll in AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy at any point up until their first birthday. The program encourages early training and socialization to help make well-adjusted dogs that won’t end up in shelters because of behavior problems, says Dr. Mary Burch, AKC CGC Director. After finishing the training course and passing the STAR Puppy Test, you’ll receive: • A frameable certificate • AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy medal • AKC Puppy Handbook • Discount enrollment in AKC Companion Animal Recovery (microchip identification) • Subscription to monthly e-mail newsletter that includes training tips