Furry Good Citizens: Prince William County's Top Dogs

Most dogs know if they sit when their owner tells them to they’ll get a treat, but few dogs will ignore food even as their owner shouts “leave it.”

Two Prince William County dogs and their owners recently mastered that command, and ten others, to pass the “Canine Good Citizen” test.

“Canine Good Citizen” is a title from the American Kennel Club that any dog – pure or mixed

breed – can earn. Dogs are tested on ten commands, including being able to walk on a leash past distractions without pulling and staying in control (aka not jumping/barking) when someone enters through a doorway.

Justine Hogeland and her dog, Casper, Katie Zaimis and her dog, Loki, and Diane Peyton and her dog, Arie, all took the test Nov. 4. It was administered by animal shelter employees and Animal Control Lt. Pauline Shatswell after completing the Citizen K-9 Behavior Improvement Program run by Prince William County’s Animal Shelter.

Casper and Loki both passed the test, while Arie narrowly missed the title and is expected to pass next time.

The Citizen K-9 Behavior Improvement Program is free and open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Animal Shelter, 14807 Bristow Road in Manassas. Shelter employee Beate Begley and volunteer coordinator Terri Kellenberger are the trainers for the program.

The CGC Program, started in 1989, is meant to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community and owners who act responsibly toward their animals. Owners have to get their dogs the proper immunizations before completing the test and sign a pledge to take the dog to a veterinarian regularly.

For more information, visit the Animal Shelter website.

photo via Prince William County Animal Shelter