Sunday, October 21, 2007
Pooch proves he's a good dog
Orson, who has had no formal obedience training, earns a Canine Good Citizen certification.
BLACKSBURG -- Orson began life as the underdog.
When he was 8 months old, owner Julie Belcher of Blacksburg rescued him from the pound. Nine years later, he has been certified as an upstanding citizen by the American Kennel Club.
The burly black pooch received his Canine Good Citizen certification Oct. 6, at St. Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation's Dogtoberfest in Roanoke. According to American Kennel Club spokeswoman Sharon Wilson, 21 dogs took the 10-step test, and 19 passed. The dogs had to demonstrate that they could accept a friendly stranger, sit politely for petting, come when called and react politely to another dog and a distraction. Owners receive a certificate in the mail documenting their dogs' successes.
Mary Burch, the club's Canine Good Citizen director, said the program was started in 1989 "to reward citizens whose dogs have good manners at home and in the community."
Since then, more than 500,000 dogs have been certified. Dog trainers can register to be an evaluator for the American Kennel Club.
Mick Merlin, a volunteer for St. Francis of Assisi's Service Dog Foundation in Roanoke, conducted the test at Dogtoberfest.
Belcher, 70, said she decided two days before the event to take Orson, who had never won an award before. The two showed up color coordinated, with Belcher wearing a red shirt and black top to match Orson's black fur and red collar.
"We had had a bath the day before," Belcher joked.
Belcher is quick to point out that Orson hasn't been to obedience school. She trained him on her own and didn't use treats because she wanted him to behave because he liked her, not because he liked food.
"I did it, as Frankie says, my way," Belcher said.
She said a dog trainer at Dogtoberfest commented on Orson's calm nature.
"He said 'This dog doesn't upset easily,' and I said 'No,' " Belcher said. In fact, the only time that Belcher can remember Orson getting riled up was when the two were on one of their daily walks on the Huckleberry Trail. A man standing ahead of them on the trail struck Belcher as suspicious. Orson was suspicious, too, and stood in front of Belcher to protect her. He even growled.
But when Orson isn't protecting his owner, he's the gentlest giant around, Belcher said.
"He's just a people person," she said.
