The CGC is a certification
program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and
in the community. 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 CGC test receive a certificate
from the American Kennel Club. The AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Program started in 1989. Check out our local
training resources for more information.
The purpose of
the CGC Program is to ensure that our favorite companion, the dog,
can be a respected member of the community.
To receive the
CGC award, dogs take the 10 item Canine Good Citizen Test. Items on
the test include:
Test 1. Accepting
a Friendly Stranger
Test 2. Sitting Politely for Petting
Test 3. Appearance and Grooming
Test 4. Out for a Walk (walk on a loose leash)
Test 5. Walking Through a Crowd
Test 6. Sit and Down on Command/Staying in Place
Test 7. Coming When Called
Test 8. Reaction to Another Dog
Test 9. Reactions to Distractions
Test 10. Supervised Separation
Can My Dog
Be Tested?
If dogs have been trained at home and are well-mannered, owners can
have their dogs tested. Clubs and training programs in almost every
city can provide CGC training to owners and dogs who need to learn
a few more skills before taking the test.
Who Can Take
the Test?
All dogs, including both purebred and mixed breed dogs are welcome
to participate in the CGC program. Dogs must be old enough to have
received necessary immunizations such as rabies vaccines, and there
is no age limit on the test. A dog is never too old to be a good citizen.
Where Can
I Go to Have My Dog Tested?
Monterey Bay Dog Training holds classes around Santa Cruz and administers
the test several times during the year.
How Do I Become
An Evaluator?
Canine Good Citizen evaluators should be individuals who have enough
experience working with dogs that they would be able to determine
in the course of administering the CGC test whether or not a dog is
safe, well-mannered, and under control. Evaluators can be any of the
dog related professionals listed above.
To become an
evaluator, the first step is to contact the AKC and request the Evaluator's
Packet. This packet includes all of the printed materials related
to the CGC Program. When the first CGC test is administered by a new
evaluator, a Test Summary Form (included in the packet) is mailed
to the AKC. When the AKC receives a completed Test Summary Form, the
evaluator is added to the Evaluator database.
Staff of the
Canine Good Citizen Department are available to provide training for
clubs and groups wishing to begin Canine Good Citizen Programs.
Is the CGC
An Official AKC title?
The CGC award is not an official AKC title because the testing is
not administered by our licensed judges. Owners should be proud of
the award and recognize that the CGC is gaining credibility and recognition
in our communities. Participating in this program helps spread the
word about the importance of responsible dog ownership.
CGC-A Decade
of Success!!
As the CGC approaches its tenth anniversary, it is one of the most
rapidly growing programs in the American Kennel Club. There are many
exciting applications of this wonderful, entry level that go beyond
the testing and certifying of dogs.
Many other countries
(including England, Australia, Japan, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Canada,
and Finland) have developed CGC programs based on the AKC's CGC Program.
A CGC Neighborhood Model has been established, police and animal control
agencies use CGC for dealing with dog problems in communities, some
therapy dog groups use the CGC as a partial screening tool, and some
4-H groups around the country having been using the CGC as a beginning
dog raining
program for children.
A number of specialty
(one breed only) clubs give the CGC at their annual national dog show.
Dog clubs have discovered that the CGC is an event that allows everyone
to go home a winner. veterinarians have recognized the benefits of
well-trained dogs and there are some CGC programs in place in veterinary
hospitals. State legislatures began recognizing the CGC program as
a means of advocating responsible dog ownership and 14 states now
have Canine Good Citizen resolutions.
In only one decade,
the Canine Good Citizen Program has begun to have an extremely positive
impact in many of our communities. This is a program that can help
us assure that the dogs we love will always be welcomed and respected
members of our communities.
To receive CGC
materials, including the Evaluator's Getting Started Kit and CGC testing
materials, contact the AKC Order Desk at (919) 233-9767.
Evaluator's Promo
(Getting Started) Kit - #GK9PR1
Participant's Guide (list of skills, how to train) - #GK9GC2
For test kits
call the Order Desk.
To receive technical
assistance with the CGC Program, contact:
Canine Good Citizen
Department
American Kennel Club
5580 Centerview Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 852-3875