The AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test is an important program that assesses a dog’s behavior and training, and provides a standard of good manners and behavior for dogs in the community.
The test evaluates a dog’s obedience skills, temperament, and ability to interact with people and other dogs in various situations. Canine Good Citizen is a 10-skill test that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their owners.
It provides a way for dog owners to demonstrate that their dogs are well-behaved, and can be trusted in various real life settings.
Additionally, the CGC test is often a requirement for therapy dog certification, which enables dogs to provide comfort and support to people in need, such as those in hospitals, nursing homes, and disaster response situations. Overall, the CGC test helps to ensure that dogs are good citizens and valued members of our communities.
In addition to the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program, the American Kennel Club (AKC) also offers a Puppy Canine Good Citizen (Puppy CGC) program. The Puppy CGC is designed to evaluate young dogs on their behavior and training and to establish a foundation of good manners and socialization at an early age.
The Puppy CGC test assesses a puppy’s ability to follow basic commands, such as sit, down, come, and stay, as well as their behavior around people and other dogs, and their reaction to common environmental stimuli.
The Puppy CGC is a great way to start puppies on the path to becoming well-behaved and socialized adult dogs. By providing early socialization and training, puppies are more likely to develop into confident, friendly dogs who can interact positively with people and other dogs.
AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test is widely recognized as a standard of good behavior and manners for dogs and is accepted by many organizations and communities across the United States.
The CGC program is recognized by many municipalities, apartment complexes, and homeowner associations as a way to ensure that dogs living in their communities are well-behaved and non-aggressive. The CGC certification is also often a requirement for therapy dog certification, which enables dogs to provide comfort and support to people in hospitals, nursing homes, and other settings.
Furthermore, the CGC certification is recognized by many insurance companies, and can sometimes result in reduced liability insurance premiums for dog owners. Additionally, the CGC certification can be a valuable credential for dogs who participate in dog sports, such as agility and obedience competitions.
Overall, the CGC test is highly respected and recognized within the dog community, and is a valuable achievement for both dogs and their owners.
All tests must be performed on a leash. Dogs should wear well-fitting buckle or slip collars (including martingales) or body harnesses. Body harnesses should not restrict the movement of the dog. Special training equipment such as pinch collars and head collars are not permitted. The leash should be made of either leather or fabric. Retractable leashes may not be used in the test.
The AKC recognizes that special training collars may be valuable equipment in the beginning stages of dog training, however, they feel that dogs are ready to be tested after they have been transitioned to a slip or buckle collar (body harnesses are also acceptable). If an evaluator is teaching classes and does not feel comfortable with one of the permitted collars, students may be required to take the test in the type of collar used in class (as long as AKC permits it for testing). If the test is advertised for the general public, all of the permitted collar types and body harnesses should be allowed in the test.
Aly’s Puppy Boot Camp training programs lay the groundwork for both dogs and their owners to successfully complete and pass a variety of tests. Every dog that joins us in our IN TRAINING or ONLINE COURSES learns about the strategies necessary to establish these behaviors in a safe, sane, and civilized way! Our goal is to equip you and your furry companion with the skills and training necessary to excel and win a coveted blue ribbon! By focusing on this goal, we aim to make the experience both enjoyable and rewarding for all! With dedication and effort, the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that come with passing these tests are definitely worth the hard work!
