United Animal Friends

• Skills needed for the Advanced Community Canine (CGCA) test
• Skills needed for the Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU) test
• Outings to dog-friendly stores and cafés to reinforce public manners
• Advanced tricks to impress and engage your dog
• Attend events to build confidence in busy, distracting environments

Perfect for teams looking to strengthen reliability, confidence, and performance in more challenging settings.

All participants must be familiar and follow the group class rules and guidelines. A completed Contact & Release form must also be on file.

When you RSVP, you'll be asked "Are you bringing anyone?" Leave the number at 0 unless you plan to bring more than one dog. Each dog must have his/her own dedicated adult handler. Cost is $10/dog.

If you cannot attend the class, please cancel your registration ASAP and preferably 24 hours before the scheduled date/time to give a person on the waitlist ample notice

50% of class cost will be donated to United Animal Friends. If you would like to further donate to UAF, please click here.

We’re looking for volunteers to help us weed the play yards we use for dog training. Keeping the space tidy and safe is important for both our pups and us! 🐾 If you're able to help, please make sure you submit a UAF Volunteer Form and then RSVP here on Meetup for a count. When completing the Volunteer Form, select "Yard Maintenance at UAF Rescue Ranch." (If you're already an approved UAF volunteer or have already submitted one, you do not need to re-submit.)

What to bring: Gloves, water, bucket, and any weeding tools you have. We may have some on hand, but they are dirty.

Dog group play: Bring your dog if your dog is an active Level 2 class participant AND has been approved by Sammi for group play or contact her for pre-approval at 310-382-0079. All dogs in a playgroup must be assessed for compatibility. If dogs are found incompatible, Sammi will consider splitting the dogs in different groups and/or other secured play yards.

Parking: Park in the lot where we have dog training classes.

Your support makes a big difference! Let’s make the play yard a wonderful space for adoptable dogs and class dog participants to enjoy it! 💪🌻

Thanks in advance, and see you there! 😊

• Engagement and obedience exercises, including extended sit/down stays
• Short pack walks
• Dog agility or similar exercises requiring a dog to jump, balance, or perform physical tasks
• Dog tricks
• Calming exercises
• Skills needed for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification

All participants must be familiar and follow the group class rules and guidelines. A completed Contact & Release form must also be on file.

When you RSVP, you'll be asked "Are you bringing anyone?" Leave the number at 0 unless you plan to bring more than one dog. Each dog must have his/her own dedicated adult handler. Cost is $10/dog.

If you cannot attend the class, please cancel your registration ASAP and preferably 24 hours before the scheduled date/time to give a person on the waitlist ample notice

50% of class cost will be donated to United Animal Friends. If you would like to further donate to UAF, please click here.

The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and the Advanced Canine Good Citizen (CGCA) tests are programs by the American Kennel Club that promotes responsible dog ownership and rewards dogs with good manners at home and in the community.

All dogs—purebred or mixed breed—6 months and older are welcome. Cost is $10 per dog to be evaluated and paid at class before the test begins.

✅CGC Test Items Include:

1. Accepting a friendly stranger
2. Sitting politely for petting
3. Appearance and grooming
4. Walking on a loose leash
5. Walking through a crowd
6. Sit & down on command / stay
7. Coming when called
8. Reaction to another dog
9. Reaction to distractions
10. Supervised separation

✅Advanced CGC Test Items Include (CGC is a requirement):

1. Dog stand/sit/down and under control while owner is busy
2. Loose leash walking in natural situation
3. Loose leash walk through a crowd
4. Dog walks past with dogs in a crowd
5. Sit-stay in small group (w/ dogs)
6. Pet by someone carrying something
7. "Leave it" - dog walks by food
8. Down/sit-stay -- distance
9. Recall with distractions
10. Enter/exit threshold with manners

✔️🦮 Approved Equipment

• Flat buckle or snap collar
• Martingale (limited slip) collar (non-corrective)
• Non-restrictive harnesses (must not tighten or pinch)
• 6' leash

❌ Prohibited Equipment

• Prong collars
• Choke chains
• Slip leash
• Electric or vibrating collars
• Head halters
• Retractable leash
• Any corrective devices

📋Notable Rules

• No food, treats or toys; praise is ok
• Dogs who urinate or defecate during testing will not pass
• OK to speak to your dog during testing

📜 Earn the CGC Title!
Dogs who pass can apply to receive an official certificate from the AKC and can proudly add “CGC” or "CGCA" to their name.

Limited to 6 dogs. Dogs are tested one at a time. Participants are asked to remain for the full hour to take a group photo of new title holders. If spots fill up, a waitlist will be started and another CGC/CGCA test will be scheduled soon.