Posted: September 22, 2009, 5 a.m. EDT
Months after the U.S. Army banned residents of privatized housing from owning “dangerous or potentially dangerous” dog breeds, the Marine Corps followed suit.
On Aug. 11, 2009, a rule that disallowed purebred and mixed-breed pit bulls, Rottweilers and canid-wolf hybrids aboard Marine Corps installations was signed. However, residents who already own one of these breeds have 60 days to apply for and meet the guidelines of a “grandfather” clause waiver, approved by the local installation commander.
Available until Sept. 30, 2012, the waiver requires dogs to pass a “nationally recognized temperament test, administered and interpreted by individual(s) who have been certified in technique and evaluation of the test results, at the service member resident’s expense. Such tests include the Canine Good Citizen (American Kennel Club) and the Delta Test (Delta Society).
In response to the newly passed rule, local trainers are offering owners additional classes and discounted classes to help dogs pass the 10-part Canine Good Citizen test. The test includes such exercises as accepting a friendly stranger, walking on a loose lead, walking through a crowd and so on.