Jump to content
BC Boards

Petco/AKC


brndlbc
 Share

Recommended Posts

Seems Petco and AKC have struck a deal.

 

 


Dear AKC Clubs,

In the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen® program, we recognize the importance of early training and socialization for puppies. Currently, AKC clubs, individual dog trainers and pet supply stores can hold AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy® and Canine Good Citizen training and testing. Annually, S.T.A.R./CGC training and testing is held at events nationwide with AKC Clubs making up 15% of the total.

We believe that increasing the availability of AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy classes will benefit puppies and their owners as well as educate these new owners about additional training opportunities at AKC clubs in their community. That’s why we are pleased to tell you that AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy classes will be available in additional Petco stores beginning in January 2014.

This initiative will not only expand AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy to a broader audience; it will also increase access to clubs and enhance AKC brand awareness. To promote our clubs and their programs, Petco S.T.A.R./CGC graduates receiving certificates will be sent information about AKC events including obedience, rally, agility, tracking, and the Therapy Dog title. We will reach out to Petco customers with information on AKC training club courses for additional education and fun with their dogs.

Petco trainers who conduct AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen testing will complete the same application process as other approved CGC Evaluators. Dog owners in Petco classes will follow the same process for obtaining certificates as all other dog owners.

We thank you for your help in reaching more than 650,000 S.T.A.R. / CGC dogs so far and we encourage clubs to continue to participate in the Canine Good Citizen program at all levels — S.T.A.R., CGC and AKC Community Canine. We believe these programs will continue to play an important role in defining the AKC for the general public and bringing new participants to Companion Events.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us at cgc@akc.org.

Sincerely,

Mary Burch
Director, AKC Canine Good Citizen program

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These are reasonable programs when administered by responsible and knowledgeable trainers but the crux of the matter is "...increase access to clubs and enhance AKC brand awareness..." They are selling AKC, plain and simple, via a company with a large customer base. Clever marketing.

 


This initiative will not only expand AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy to a broader audience; it will also increase access to clubs and enhance AKC brand awareness. To promote our clubs and their programs, Petco S.T.A.R./CGC graduates receiving certificates will be sent information about AKC events including obedience, rally, agility, tracking, and the Therapy Dog title. We will reach out to Petco customers with information on AKC training club courses for additional education and fun with their dogs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The AKC Therapy title is not certified through AKC. The test is done through Delta or TDI. After 50 therapy visits you can pay $20 and AKC can give you a Therapy Dog Title, oh IF you are registered with AKC.

 

What a gimmick this is! Delta and TDI do the testing, certification and provide insurance for the working teams and AKC gets to hand them a piece of paper (title) and let them put some worthless initials after the dogs name and pic up $20.

 

If it's AKC, it's about the money!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Okay - just did a google search to check it out. It's just a title. Dog has to be AKC registered, has to be certified through a AKC recognized therapy dog organization and the dog needs to have logged at least 50 visits as a therapy dog. AND you have to send $20 to the AKC.

 

Well, then, what's the point? Sounds like another way for the AKC to rake in some dough, and mebbe for breeders to add another "accomplishment" (i.e. title) to their dog's name.

 

But if the dog is already certified with real therapy dog organization, it's redundant and, IMO, meaningless.

 

But, then, we are talking about the AKC . . . :rolleyes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I don't approve of quite a bit of what occurs in the show ring but I do like the CGC and AKC STAR programs. The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) is focused on rewarding owners who have trained their dogs the basics that are necessary for them to be dogs that do well in public and around the neighbors. For many owners the CGC is an obtainable goal and can be a stepping stone to further training. For many the idea of having a dog that comes, sits, or stays on command is "magic." I am proud of every client who has taken even one dog training class as those dogs will usually stay in that home instead of ending up in the shelter system.

The AKC STAR program is basically a baby version of the CGC. Every dog I've owned has been through the CGC test (makes home insurance & landlords happy) and my youngest, Loki, went through the AKC STAR test on his last day of puppy class. That being said, neither of my dogs is AKC registered nor am I considering registering them. And I do recognize that they are putting a heavy emphasis on profit. Seriously, why would I buy a tag bragging that my dog passed a CGC test? Of course, I wonder if the Petco/AKC deal is going to lead to many more "AKC" collars, leashes, and toys. Oh well, it can't be worse than Cesar Milan gear. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

The AKC Therapy title is not certified through AKC. The test is done through Delta or TDI. After 50 therapy visits you can pay $20 and AKC can give you a Therapy Dog Title, oh IF you are registered with AKC.

 

What a gimmick this is! Delta and TDI do the testing, certification and provide insurance for the working teams and AKC gets to hand them a piece of paper (title) and let them put some worthless initials after the dogs name and pic up $20.

 

If it's AKC, it's about the money!

 

I can also see the potential for someone wanting this "title" and making their dog do it even if the dog does not enjoy it much. Some dogs are natural therapy dogs and really enjoy it, some not so much. Same for the people.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...