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ADOLESCENT TO ADULT DOGS
The purpose of the AKC CGC Program is to ensure that our favorite companion, the
dog, can be a respected member of the community.
Can My Dog Be Tested?
If dogs have been trained at home and are well-mannered, owners can have their dogs
tested. Clubs and training programs in almost every city can provide CGC training to
owners and dogs that need to learn a few more skills before taking the test.
Who Can Take the Test?
All dogs, including both purebred and mixed breed dogs are welcome to participate
in the CGC program. Dogs must be old enough to have received necessary immunizations
such as rabies vaccines, and there is no age limit on the test. A dog is never
too old to be a good citizen.
To receive the CGC certificate, dogs take the 10 item Canine Good Citizen Test.
Items on the test include:
Test Item 1: 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.
Test Item 2: 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.
Test Item 3: 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.
Test Item 4: 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.
Test Item 5: 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.
Test Item 6: Sit and Down on Command - 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).
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.
Test Item 7: 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.
Test Item 8: 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 20 to 30 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.
Test Item 9: 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.
Test Item 10: 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.
Equipment Needed
All tests must be performed on leash. Dogs should wear well-fitting buckle or
slip collars made of leather, fabric, or chain. Special training collars such
as pinch collars, head halters, etc. are not permitted in the CGC test. We
recognize that special training collars 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 regular collars.
The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The owner/handler should
bring written proof of rabies vaccines and the dog's brush or comb to the test.
Encouragement
Owners/handlers may use praise and encouragement throughout the test. The owner
may pet the dog between exercises. 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.
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