Announcements
Canine Good Citizen March 18!
Only 1 space left!
Prepare for the Canine Good Citizen Certification in this comprehensive class.
The CGC Program provides an excellent foundation for training in other fun activities such as Rally, Obedience, and Agility and results in a well-mannered dog who is a joy to live with. Some therapy dog groups require passing the CGC Test as a prerequisite, some insurance companies recommend CGC training, and an increasing number of apartments and condos are requiring CGC training for resident dogs.
Reserve a Space
Your dog must have completed a puppy 101 and be at least 8 months old to qualify for SmartyPup! CGC class
The evaluation consists of ten objectives. All items must be completed satisfactorily or the team fails. Test items include:
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Accepting a friendly stranger.
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Sitting politely for petting.
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Allowing basic grooming procedures.
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Walking on a loose lead
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Walking through a crowd.
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Sitting and lying down on command and staying in place.
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Coming when called.
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Reacting appropriately to another dog.
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Reacting appropriately to distractions.
- Calmly enduring supervised separation from the owner.
Evaluators sometimes combine elements during the actual test. If all ten objectives are met, the handler can apply for a certificate and special dog tag from the AKC stating that the dog has earned the CGC. Dogs do not have to be registered with the AKC to earn a CGC, nor do they have to be a purebred or, in fact, registered with any canine organization. The goal is to promote good citizenship for all dogs. Since its inception, the CGC program has become the model for
similar programs around the world, is the backbone of other exams, such
as those given for therapy dogs, and is a good starting point for more advanced dog training.
