Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Dog Training Practice Class + Test

Fee: FREE with training package purchase!
Tips appreciated, but not required.

Practice the 10 elements of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) tests! Required for therapy dog teams, recommended for service dogs, and a great way to ensure a well-behaved pet in public. To ensure everyone receives the maximum benefit from this class, a private session with me is required prior to attending. Please click here to get started, I look forward to meeting you!

Prerequisites:

1. Your dog can be around other people and dogs without barking or growling excessively.
2. Your dog already knows how to sit, down, come, and walk on a leash at home.
3. You have practiced being away from your dog at home and they don't display moderate-severe separation anxiety.

CGC Level 1 Requirements:

• Test 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.
• Test 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.
• Test 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.
• Test 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.
• Test 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.
• Test 6: 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).
• Test 7: Coming when called. This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler.
• Test 8: Reaction to another dog. This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs.
• Test 9: Reaction to distraction. This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations.
• Test 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.

CGC Level 2 - Community Requirements:

• Test 1: Dog stands, sits, or lies down and waits under control while the owner either sits at the registration table and fills out paperwork or while the owner has a snack at a table with another person.
• Test 2: Dog walks on a loose-leash in a natural situation and does not pull.
• Test 3: Dog walks on a loose-leash through a crowd.
• Test 4: Dog walks past distractions and does not pull
• Test 5: Sit-stay in a small group of 3 people and 3 dogs.
• Test 6: Dog allows person, who is carrying something, to approach and pet it.
• Test 7: Leave it - dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, "Leave it."
• Test 8: Down or sit-stay distance (20-ft) while the owner picks up an item and returns.
• Test 9: Recall from 20-ft away with distractions present.
• Test 10: Dog will stand or sit politely while owner goes through a door, then calls the dog to enter. The dog may also enter calmly at the owner's side. The goal would be that the team could get through the door if the owner had a drink in one hand with the leash in the other.

CGC Level 3 - Urban Test Requirements:

• Test 1: Exit/enter doorways with no pulling in a dog friendly building.
• Test 2: Walk through a crowd on a busy sidewalk.
• Test 3: Appropriate reaction to city distractions.
• Test 4: Crossing street: stop at corner, stand or sit to wait and cross with no pulling. Crossing the street is calm.
• Test 5: Ignore food on sidewalk.
• Test 6: Person walks up and pets the dog. May be carrying an item, but it is not put on the ground like in the previous test.
• Test 7: Public building walking under control, down stay for 3 minutes.
• Test 8: Stairs, steps, or elevator under control.
• Test 9: Owner verifies the dog is house-trained for city living.
• Test 10: Dog enters and exits mode of transportation under control and rides calmly.