Maverick and handler Helen Gray have been selected as one of 10 teams to represent the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme as part of the Gold Award Display Team at Crufts 2023.
Helen has been training with Solway Dog Training Club, Cummertrees for 12 years and Maverick gained his Gold award back in 2015 at just 2 yrs. old.
Over the last 9 yrs. Maverick has not only been working on his obedience but also competing up to Grade 4 in dog agility through Dumfries And Galloway Dog Agility Group, and Crooked Oak Agility, gaining his DMWYD Grand Champion trick title, Champion conditioning title and proven stunt dog title, competing in Scentwork UK and the National Nosework Association trials, and becoming a Dog Parkour Champion with the International Dog Parkour Association.
The KCGCDTS Gold display team is open to all handlers & dogs who have either completed the gold test or can complete the exercises to a high standard. Applications were taken from across the country and whittled down to just 22 who were invited to an in-person selection day. This day was full of exercises to test the dogs obedience, confidence and personality in front of a Kennel Club panel.
Many tests included moving to music, off lead work and coping with noisy crowds, all things that will be encountered at the biggest dog show, held at the NEC, Birmingham each year.
Having been selected, the hard work now begins, with 5 training sessions over the next 6 weeks to gel the 10 teams and learn the routines/tests ready for the display. The teams will be taking part in 3 displays a day, Thursday 9th March and Friday 10th March in the Good Citizen Dog Scheme ring, along with some fun challenges like temptation alley.
