AKC Canine Good Citizen

According to the AKC, "The purpose of the AKC Canine Good CitizenŽ Award Program is to ensure that our favorite companion, the dog, can be a respected member of the community." To receive the CGC certificate, dogs must be old enough to have received necessary immunizations such as rabies vaccines. Handlers and their dogs take the 10-item Canine Good CitizenŽ Test, which may be presented in a non-sequential order if the AKC Tester desires.

There are a number of key preparation, training, and handling strategies that will assist you and your dog in successfully completing the Canine Good Citizen test and certification. While there is information about the CGC on the AKC web site, and there are a few published handouts available for training students, it would be to your benefit to carefully read the instructions and rules and determine prior to your actual CGC test how each exercise may be performed and in particular how you can optimize your commands, leash handling, and overall management of your dog during the test to maximize your certification success.

Below is a table that lists each AKC Canine Good Citizen exercise and the specific elements required for each of the 10 exercises. Associated with each exercise is a "Helpful Training and Handling Tips" section that highlights many of the things that you can do to ensure that you and your dog succeed at your CGC test.

If you are in doubt about any aspect of the Canine Good Citizen test, don't hesitate to ask your CGC tester for clarification. While there is some "room for interpretation" in the official AKC CGC test rules and instructions, you want to ensure that you have a full understanding of that particular tester's interpretation of the rules and their expectations for satisfactory performance and certification.

Test Exercise	Official AKC Description	Helpful Training and Handling Tips
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.	While the Canine Good Citizen evaluator can't require that the dog sit or down, you may command your dog to do so for this exercise. You may instruct your dog by voice command only - no yanking, pulling, or harsh correction with the leash. Remember that throughout all of the CGC exercises, you may talk to your dog as much as you want -- give the initial command, repeat the command if needed, verbally praise and encourage. If your dog disobeys, verbally encourage and motivate your dog's compliance -- but do not overtly correct your dog with the leash.
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.	You are to command your dog to "sit" for this exercise. I recommend that you courteously instruct the Evaluator to approach your dog from the side and to pet your dog under the chin or on its chest, in keeping with generally acceptable protocols of human/dog interaction. Under no circumstances should your dog be expected to tolerate a fast, direct approach from a stranger making direct eye contact with your dog, with the intent of "patting" your dog on the head. This exercise, and Test Item 3: Appearance and Grooming, are the only exercises when the handler is allowed to physically touch their dog. You may place your hand gently under the collar of your dog to encourage it to stay in the sit position while being touched or groomed by the friendly stranger, and you may repeatedly give the "Sit" command and praise. However, you may not force your dog to maintain its sitting position by placing your hands on its body or pulling on the leash.
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.	While the Evaluator can't require that the dog sit or down, you may command the dog to do so for this exercise. This exercise, and Test Item 2: Sitting Politely for Petting, are the only exercises when the handler is allowed to physically touch their dog. You may place your hand gently under the collar of your dog to encourage it to stay in the sit position while being touched or groomed by the friendly stranger, and you may repeatedly give the "Sit" command (or trained grooming commands, such as "Brush," "Ears," "Feet," etc.) and praise. However, you may not force your dog to maintain its sitting position by placing your hands on its body or pulling on the leash.
Test Item 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)	This Canine Good Citizen 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.	Strive to maintain a loose leash throughout these exercises. At the CGC level of testing, your dog is not expected to deliver a flawless, focused heel; however, the Evaluator will not want to see a significantly lagging, forging, sidewinding, or out of control dog, or a handler who must physically force their dog to remain under control at their side.
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.	If your dog is already trained in such commands you may use a "leave it" or "no sniff" command, followed by repeat "Heel" command and praise, to prevent your dog from unnecessarily approaching or investigating the people in the crowd.
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 Canine Good Citizen 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.	If your dog is properly trained that "sit means sit" and "down means down" (single command only), you may command your dog to "sit" or "down" only; you are not required to use a second "stay" command.
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.	This Canine Good Citizen exercise tests only the dog's ability to return to handler upon a recall command. The Evaluator can not require a sit or down prior to the recall command. However, you may command your dog to sit or down at your discretion. Note that this exercise does not test whether the dog stays in position -- the "stay" is a separate exercise (Test Item #6). If you are concerned about your dog's ability to stay in place until recalled, the Evaluator can stand by your dog and hold the leash while you walk 10 feet away. After recalling your dog, you may at your discretion command the dog to sit or perform another finishing exercise.
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.	While the Evaluator can't require that the dog sit or down while the two handlers are greeting each other, you may at your discretion command your dog to do so. (I recommend that the dog be under the formal "Heel" command at the Handler's left side for the approach to the other handler/dog team; given a formal "Sit" command while the two handlers are exchanging greetings; and again given the formal "Heel" command to resume their walk after the greeting.)
Test Item 9: Reaction to distraction	This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations. The Canine Good Citizen 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.	The Canine Good Citizen Evaluator has the option of combining test exercises. For example, the Evaluator may elect to provide the distractions required in this test while the dog is completing a different exercise, such as Test Item #5, Walking Through a Crowd. If the distractions are provided in conjunction with another test during which the dog is supposed to be moving (heeling), then you may not command your dog to sit or down during distraction. If the Evaluator elects to conduct the Reaction to Distraction test as a stand-alone test, then you may at your discretion instruct your dog to "sit" or "down" during the distractions. Choose the option that best ensures your dog's comfort level during distractions.
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.	The dog is not required to "sit" or "down" during this test. However you may at your discretion command your dog to "sit" or "down" prior to leaving the dog. Understand that at this level of obedience testing, it is neither expected nor required that a dog maintain formal obedience in the absence of the owner. However, the dog may not become excessively agitated (for example, barking excitedly, lunging or straining on the leash, bouncing about); the dog is expected to remain well-behaved and in control while with the Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.

Equipment

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.

Test Exercise and Official AKC descriptive text Copyright AKC, reproduced here for educational purposes only. Training and Handling Tips Copyright 2003-- Moc Klinkam, all rights reserved.