AKC CGC
AKC CGC TITLE AND MORE
The AKC's Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program is a public education and outreach program. CGC also serves as an excellent place to get started in training your dog. When you complete CGC training, you will have a canine companion who responds to basic commands such as sit and down and who is under good control on a leash.
While this is a fabulous beginning, we strongly encourage owners to continue training beyond CGC in order to develop some off-leash control, increase the dog's reliability, and to further enhance the bond that has been built during CGC training.
The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.
AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program
Your first earned K9 title!
Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training as the first step in training their dogs. The Canine Good Citizen Program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events.
As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you'll discover the many benefits and joys of training your dog. Training will enhance the bond between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the presence of people and other dogs, and they fully enjoy the company of the owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high quality life.
We sincerely hope that CGC will be only a beginning for you and your dog and that after passing the CGC test, you'll continue training in additional obedience titles, agility, tracking, or performance events.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
All dogs, including both purebred and mixed breed dogs are welcome to participate in the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program.
There is no age limit for the CGC test. A dog is never too old to be a good citizen. Puppies who have completed all immunizations and boosters may be tested, however, because we know that behavior and temperament can change over time, when puppies pass the CGC test, owners should have them re-tested as adults.
Some dogs who are entered in CGC tests will have completed CGC classes or basic obedience classes. Owners who have trained their dogs themselves may also have their dogs tested.
Here are the 10 points that will have to be passed:
Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
Test 3: Appearance and grooming
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
Test 5: Walking through a crowd
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
Test 7: Coming when called
Test 8: Reaction to another dog
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
Test 10: Supervised separation
[printable brochure: CGC Overview
(PDF) & Responsible Dog Owner's Pledge
(PDF)]
Test is performed in a controlled environment. Talk, motive and encourage your dog and most of all....HAVE FUN !
WHAT COMES NEXT?
The American Kennel Club (AKC®), has announce the AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen Public Access Test (formerly known as AKC Urban CGC).
There are ten skills necessary to pass the AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen Public Access Test, including entering/exiting doorways, walking through a crowd, using stairs/elevators, crossing streets and public interaction.
Note: Passing the Urban CGC or a Canine Good Citizen test alone does not make a dog a service dog or emotional support dog. A key distinction of service or emotional support dogs is that the owner/handler has a disability. It is unethical to misrepresent a pet dog as a service or emotional support animal.
Read more about the CGC Urban Public Access Test on the AKC website. [click here]
What is expected: printable brochure: CGCA Overview
(PDF)
AKC Community Canine (CGCA) is all about having a well-behaved dog in the community. Whereas Canine Good Citizen tests are most often tested in a simulated environment at a training facility or in a ring. The 10-step AKC Community Canine test is conducted in real life situations, which can include walking through a crowd on a busy sidewalk or in a local park.
Read more about the CGCA on the AKC website. [click here]
What is expected: printable brochure: CGCA Overview
(PDF)
DID YOU KNOW?
Canine Good Citizen® is now a Title!
As of January 1, 2013, Canine Good Citizen® is now an official AKC title that can appear on the title records of dogs registered or listed with AKC. Dog owners who complete the CGC as a Title process may list the suffix “CGC” after the dog’s name.
AKC CGC, CGCA & CGCU (Public Access Test) $45
Not every client wants to participate in the CGC classes but has the skills to train their dog on their own.
We will be happy to schedule any CGC test for you. The CGC is the foundation and has to be passed prior to attempting the CGC Community Canine and/or the CGC Urban Public Access.
The tests are $45 each and does not guarantee passing of the test if not all 10 test points were checked off.
Additional AKC fees apply for certificate and/or title.
Ribbon is incl. upon passing the test, however any medals or rosettes can be requested in addition.
Passing the Urban CGC test or Canine Good Citizen test does not make a dog a service dog or emotional support dog. A key distinction of service or emotional support dogs is that the owner/handler has a disability. It is unethical to misrepresent a pet dog as a service or emotional support animal.