Over the years many members have taken and passed their KCGCDS at all levels. Including Gold (see The Magnificent Seven).
In July 2000 only 638 dogs, throughout Great Britain, had successfully passed this highly acclaimed award at Gold Level, before the members of Swinton passed their test.
Because of this achievement, the Manchester Evening News did a large report on the class.
Five members were invited to Granada Breeze to model doggy fashion and coped extremely well with all the cameras and lights.
We are regularly invited to local fetes and summer fates to give demonstrations of obedience.
The club is a ‘Pet Dog’ club; therefore none of these dogs have competed in any obedience competitions. These are simply pet dog owners showing what can be achieved with their family dogs. The dogs have to pass a rigorous test, which includes, walking at their owner's side without being on the lead. Returning to their owners side when their owners are walking away from them, doing a stay exercise whilst their owners are out of sight, lying on their beds on command, walking in a controlled manner in traffic and food refusal. In addition to other exercises, owners have to answer questions relating to their general knowledge about dogs and dogs and the law.
The Senior Dog Warden for the City of Salford found Oliver the cross Doberman 4 years ago, as a puppy, close to starvation. Nico came from Weimaraner rescue; he couldn’t get within 50 yards of another dog without wishing to kill it. Nico at this time wasn’t too keen on people either.
Both these dogs with help and patience from their owners have become well- adjusted and sociable dogs that are a pleasure to own and know.
Foxy, Chaz and Nico have appeared on TV, they modelled doggy fashion for a programme on Granada Breeze.
Two dogs (Glen and Barney) featured in the ‘Rover’ exhibition held at Heaton Park earlier this year.
Eric Proctor, Journalist for The Advertiser contacted me to do an article about the Swinton Dog Training Club in 2001.
