Get Your First Dog Title
with AKC Canine Good Citizen
As of January 1, 2013, Canine Good Citizen® became an official AKC title thatcan appear on the title records of dogs registered or listed with AKC. Dog ownersmay list the suffix, “CGC” after the dog’s name.Since the program began in 1989, CGC has been considered an “award,”meaningthat it has not been listed on a dog’s title record.
View an actual test.
Then come to our classes to get your dog ready.
AKC’s Canine Good Citizen® (CGC)
Before taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will sign the
Responsible Dog Owners Pledge.
We believe that responsible dog ownership is a key part of the CGC
concept and by signing the pledge, owners agree to
take care of their dog's health needs, safety, exercise, training and
quality of life. Owners also agree to show responsibility by doing
things such as cleaning up after their dogs in public places and never
letting dogs infringe on the rights of others.
After signing the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, owners and their
dogs are ready to take the CGC Test.
10 Items on the Canine Good Citizen
Test include:
- Accepting a friendly stranger This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to
approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation.
The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a
friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake
hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment
or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.
- Sitting politely for petting This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to
touch it while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the
handler's side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the
head and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the
exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not
show shyness or resentment.
- Appearance and grooming This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being
groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian,
groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the
owner's care, concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator
inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must
appear to be in healthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy
and alert). The handler should supply the comb or brush commonly used on
the dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a
natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gently picks up each front
foot. It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position
during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it
and give encouragement throughout.
- Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead) This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The
dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should
leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is
responding to the handler's movements and changes of direction. The dog
need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the
handler stops. The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct
the handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In either
case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at
least one stop in between and another at the end. The handler may talk
to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal
tone of voice. The handler may sit the dog at the halts if desired.
- Walking through a crowd This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in
pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The
dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least
three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers but should
continue to walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance,
shyness or resentment. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or
praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump on people in
the crowd or strain on the leash.
- Sit and down on command and Staying in place This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the
handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the place
commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler
prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner
chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this
test, the dog's leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler
may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to
get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the
dog has responded to the handler's
commands. The handler may not force the dog into position but may touch
the dog to offer gentle guidance. When instructed by the evaluator, the
handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of the line,
turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in
the place in which it was left (it may change position) until the
evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may be
released from the front or the side.
- Coming when called This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the
handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the
dog, and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog
to come. Handlers may choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they
may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.
- Reaction to another dog This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other
dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of
about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and
continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual
interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its
handler.
- Reaction to distraction This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when
faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator will select and
present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a
chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front
of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural
interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should
not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler
may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.
- Supervised separation This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person,
if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators
are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch your
dog?" and then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will go out of
sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but
should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show
anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may
talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or
management attempts (e.g, "there, there, it's alright").
Equipment
OWNER TO BRING
- All tests must be performed on leash (that is not a retractable!).
- For collars, dogs should wear
well-fitting buckle or slip collars made of leather, fabric, or chain.
Special training collars such as pinch collars, head halters, and
electronic collars are not permitted in the CGC test. We recognize that special training collars such as head collars and
no-jump harnesses may be very useful tools for beginning dog trainers,
however, we feel that dogs are ready to take the CGC test at the point
at which they are transitioned to equipment that allows the evaluator to
see that the dog has been trained.
- Body harnesses may be used in the CGC test.
The evaluator should check to make sure the harness is not of a type
that completely restricts the dog's movement such that it could not pull
or jump up if it tried.
- Brush or comb
EVALUATOR PROVIDES
- The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test.
Encouragement IS Permitted
-
Owners/handlers may use praise and encouragement throughout the test.
- The owner may pet the dog between exercises.
Not Permitted for the CGC Test
- Food and treats are not
permitted during testing, nor is the use of toys, squeaky toys, etc. to
get the dog to do something. We recognize that food and toys may provide
valuable reinforcement or encouragement during the training process but
these items should not be used during the test.
Failures – Dismissals
- Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked failed. The
only exception to this rule is that elimination is allowable in test
Item 10, but only when test Item 10 is held outdoors.
- Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to attack a
person or another dog is not a good citizen and must be dismissed from
the test.
Join us at PETCO - Brooklyn Park for your Dog's First Title!
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