International Champion (IntCH) Annie vom Ursi CGC, CGCA, CGCU, SPOT-ON, TC, TKN, TKI, TKA, TKP, TKE, VHMA, VSWB

Annie earned her AKC Virtual Home Manners Adult (VHMA) Title from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2022.  The dog must demonstrate that it knows ten skills that well-mannered pet puppies need in the home setting.  The skills relate to the dog owner having control over the dog, being able to walk the dog (which is one of the most frequently cited activities that owners want to do with their dogs) and developing a bond with the dog during playtime.

Annie earned her AKC Virtual Scent Work Beginner (VSWB) Title from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2022. The dog must find one item (choice of ball, toy or treat) inside the home at ground level up within 1.5 minutes in one search area. It takes two passes to earn a title.

Annie earned her “AKC Fit Dog” Magnet. from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2021. Dog must walk a specific distance with their owners for at least 3 months to earn the “AKC Fit Dog” magnet. Fitness is so very important for both you and your dogs. Walking is the best recommended exercise to improve fitness. Walking improves muscular strength, circulation, memory, weight loss, increases energy, helps with sleep, and reduces stress. You should walk a minimum of a 150 minutes per week according to the American Heart Association.

Annie earned her AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer (TKE) Title from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2020. Testing of this truly elite trick dog level requires the dog to perform 10 tricks with at least 5 props and there must be a story.

Annie earned her International Championship (IntCH) Title at the International All Breed Canine Association Of America (IABCA) dog show in 2020. This title is earned by the dog being awarded the highest conformation show rating (V-1) by 3 different judges, with at least two of the judges licensed in different countries. Anne also received Best Of Breed by coming in 1st place at the show.

Annie earned her AKC Trick Dog Performer (TKP) Title from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2020. In this title, handlers perform a short routine with a least 10 tricks previously learned.

Annie passed her German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) Temperament Test and received her Temperament Certification (TC) Title from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2020. A temperament test or certification measures a dog’s reaction or behavior to various elements presented to them such as a stranger, usually of varying degrees ranging from neutral and friendly, to threatening and aggressive. A measure is also conducted on a dog’s reaction to an auditory stimulus (gunshots) and reaction to a visual stimulus (umbrella pop). There other environmental exposures such as unusual footing. An example would be to have a dog walk on a very unfamiliar surface. The dog’s reactions are monitored for displays of unprovoked aggression, panic, or strong avoidance, all of which would usually be grounds for failure.

Annie earned her AKC Advanced Trick Dog (TKA) Title from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2020. The dog must have the Intermediate title, plus perform 10 tricks from the Advanced list.

Annie earned her AKC Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) Title from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2020. The dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks.

Annie earned her AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN) Title from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2020. The dog must perform 10 skills from the Novice Trick list. If a dog has a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC, it can do 5 Novice tricks (CGC + 5) to earn the Novice Trick Title.

Annie earned her AKC Urban CGC (CGCU) Title from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2019. The goal of AKC Urban CGC is to test the dog’s skills in an urban (city) setting. Dogs must, enter/exit doorways with no pulling, walk through a crowd on a busy sidewalk and cross streets under control, react appropriately to city distractions (horns, sirens, etc.), Ignore food and food containers on the sidewalk, safely negotiates stairs and elevators, ride dog-friendly transportation (car, subway in a carry bag, cab), 3-minute down-stay in the lobby of a dog-friendly building, and more.

Annie earned her AKC Community Canine (CGCA) Title from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2019. AKC Community Canine is the advanced level of the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program. Whereas Canine Good Citizen tests are most often tested in a ring and situations are simulated (3 helpers serve as a “crowd”), the AKC Community Canine test is done in real situations including at shows, classes, and in the community. Annie’s AKC Community Canine test took place at River Park Square Mall in Spokane, WA.

Annie earned her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Title from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2019. The dog and handler have to successfully complete ten components of an evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is to recognize those dogs who have been trained to be good citizens in the community.

Annie earned her Socialized Pet Obedience Test (SPOT-ON) Title from the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 2019. The SPOT test consists of 10 separate stations. At each station, the dog must perform a basic exercise. These exercises are used to demonstrate that the dog is capable of exhibiting desired behaviors that the general public would expect to see in a well-behaved dog. The dog will receive a rating at each station, varying from “Outstanding” to “Needs Practice”. A dog that completes the test with an Outstanding rating at each station will be considered a “SPOT Outstanding Neighbor” or “SPOT-ON” dog.

Annie earned her AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and her name is listed in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records at AKC in 2019. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is the puppy level of Canine Good Citizen. Dog owners must complete the class and the dog pass the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy manners test at the end of the course.