Insurance companies can charge home owners with certain dog breeds extra on their premiums, based on whether they deem the owners’ dogs as a dangerous breed. Dog breeds that may fall into this category could be Rottweilers, Dobermans, American pit bull terriers, and mastiffs. (Note: Insurers are not allowed to discriminate against specific breeds if the dog works as a service animal, says Rebecca Huss, professor of law at Valparaiso University in Indiana.)
But some home owners have found a way around the higher insurance bills and still keeping their dog too with a doggie diploma. Home owners can get their canine certified as a good citizen by enrolling it in an obedience training class. The American Kennel Club started its Canine Good Citizen Program in 1989, rewarding pups that have good manners.
The dogs undergo a six-week training program and then must complete a 10-step process. The dogs must show they can behave around strangers, come when called, and play nice with other dogs, for example. A dog passes if it restrains from barking, whining, or pacing nervously.
Homeowner associations, co-op, and condo boards are accepting the diplomas, and some condo buildings won’t let a dog in without it. “Many insurance agents will accept certificates from AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program and other dog training programs,” says Loretta Worters, vice president of communications for the Insurance Information Institute.
“Insurance companies tell us Canine Good Citizen training is as much of a screening tool for owners as it is for dogs,” says Mary R. Burch, director of the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program. “When someone takes the time to attend training classes, train the dog, and take a test, they are usually someone who cares about that dog and will behave responsibly to protect it.”
Source: “Is Your Dog a Good Citizen? You’d Better Hope So, for Insurance’s Sake,” realtor.com® (June 16, 2015)
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