The AKC Canine Good Citizenprogram provides a solid foundation of behavioural training for your dog , but it also comes with some unexpected extra perks . Here ’s everything you must love about the CGC program from how to get enrolled to some of those perks .
What is the Canine Good Citizen Program?
The Canine Good Citizen program was formally introduced by the American Kennel Club in 1989 . Since it ’s inception , close toone million dogshave taken part in the CGC behavioral programme both as a harbinger to more advanced programs and as a behavioral grooming opportunity .
The skills that your dog will get word in the Canine Good Citizen programme are designed to teach them how to comport in a socially acceptable way which is why the program is often referred to as a “ family in good manner ” for dogs .
Benefits of CGC
There are more than a few benefits to make your dog CGC trained and tested :
Before You Get Into It…
Before you sign on up for the AKC ’s Canine Good Citizen platform with your dog , there are a few things that you will postulate to do .
If you are interested in taking a local CGC breeding class with your pooch , the sound place to look for a referral is your local AKC dog club . Since the CGC is an American Kennel Club program , you will line up the most information about local program through them .
You may also be able-bodied to find non - AKC classes that instruct the necessary skills for passing the CGC test and another selection to research if you are having a difficult time finding an AKC class to correspond your schedule . Just be sure that the class you choose will learn your wiener the same science as those let in in the AKC CGC training program ( we ’ll get to those momentarily ) .
Keep in brain that when you recruit in the AKC CGC class , that class ordinarily integrate terminal testing with an approved CGC judge into the programme . If you take a non - AKC CGC education program , however , it will be up to you to find and arrange for a CGC judge to evaluate your dog for the AKC Canine Good Citizenship examination .
If you pick out to take an alternative training course or learn your dog the CGC skills yourself , you will demand to arrange for a Canine Good Citizen evaluator to test your dog after they have mastered their training .
Again , your local AKC breed golf-club is die to be the expert place to get referrals for evaluators , but you’re able to also search through theAKC ’s directoryof approved CGC evaluators . It will be up to you to select an evaluator and format for your dog to take the CGC test with them .
Before we get too beforehand of ourselves , however , let ’s take a feeling at what the Canine Good Citizen program expect of its student .
10 Focal Points Canine Good Citizen Program
There are ten chief decimal point of focus in the Canine Good Citizen program . so as to pull in their CGC , your dog must get the hang each chore and perform that task when screen by an official AKC CGC licence trainer without bankruptcy or dismissal .
Test Point #1: Accepting a Friendly Stranger
The first mental test point in CGC evaluation trial is whether your dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach and verbalise with their handler in a normal , routine type of setting . To do this , the evaluator will walk up to you in a friendly way , paying no attention to your dog . They will then sway your script and replace greeting .
To slip by this test point : your pet must not display any resentment towards the judge .
Test Point #2: Sitting Politely for Petting
The 2nd test point is whether your pup will countenance a friendly stranger to equal them while they are with their animal trainer . To do this , you should have your dog sit beside you and the judge will pet your dog on their head and body . You are allow to utter to your dog during this evaluation and your dog may stand in space to be favored if they prefer .
To pass this test stage : same as above , your dog must not display any shyness or resentment towards the evaluator .
Test Point #3: Appearance and Grooming
Third test is whether your hound is welcome of grooming and examination such as those they may undergo at a groomer or at the veterinary surgeon . This examination distributor point also give the judge meter to measure the cleanliness and dressing of your pet to be sure that they are tidy .
During this test , you should provide your firedog ’s usual brush to the evaluator so that they can cautiously sweep your andiron . The inspector will then see their pinna and bring up each foot off the ground . You are allow to talk to your frank during this evaluation and your frank does not have to hold any specific stance .
To occur this test point : your dog must be in healthy and presentable consideration and they must be tolerant of the judge ’s scrutiny .
Test Point #4: Out for a Walk (Walking on a Loose Lead)
The fourth test point is whether you are capable to manipulate your hot dog while take the air them on a three . You will begin with your dog at your side and as you walk , your puppy should remain engaged with you and follow your movements as desire . Note that the dog does not have to be perfectly in sync with you nor do they have to sit each time you stop ; however , if you prefer your dog to sit around at each stopover , you are welcome to have them do so .
To excrete this test point : your cad must stay responsive to you and leave no doubt that they are attentive to you throughout the run .
Test Point #5: Walking Through a Crowd
The fifth psychometric test is whether the animate being is capable of locomote well through walker traffic and is capable to walk around and pass close to others on the street without any sign of over - excitement , resentment or shyness . You may further the dog and praise them or just talk to them throughout this test point .
To spend this mental test point : your cad must be able to pass close - by to others without labour against their leash , being raucous , or attempting to jump on people .
Test Point #6: Sit, Down and Stay on Command
The sixth exam point is whether your pooch is able to be a sit and down command when given and whether they are open of appease in position . You will begin with your frank by your side in either a “ baby-sit ” or a “ down ” position . You must then ask them to perform a “ sit ” and a “ down ” bidding . You will then switch out the ternion for a 20 - substructure long line collar and leave the pet in a stay position ( you could have them sit or stay for this command . )
The evaluator will then ask you to give your dog the “ stay ” command and then walk forward for the full length of the longsighted line leash before turning around to come back again . You must walk naturally and your cuspid must remain in their “ arrest ” command ( although they may trade positions to get more comfortable ) . If the deary successfully completes their “ stop ” you will then be instructed to “ release ” them from the command .
During this examination point , you may not force the pup into any positions , but you may mildly guide them with your hands .
To go this tryout item : your dog must perform the need action without distraction and must not show any signs of being obstinate . The evaluator must be able to see that the heel is responding to your commands .
Test Point #7: Coming When Called
The seventh tryout point is whether the Fido will come when call by you . Your judge will have you take the air 10 foot from the dog before turning around to face up them and call them to you . You are let to use boost to get your pet to arrive to you and you may also give them a “ stay ” or “ wait ” program line to instruct them to stay in position .
To decease this mental testing full point : your domestic dog must issue forth to you when call but not before .
Test Point #8: Reaction to Another Dog
The 8th one tests the dog ’s reaction to other dogs to be certain that they will oppose in a civilized way of life to other animals they may play . To do this test , you will be asked to walk towards another scholar with your bow-wow while they take the air towards you with their dog .
You will set about around 20 feet apart from the other handler and their pet . As you meet the other handler , you will be asked to shake hands with them and exchange greeting before continue to walk on for another ten groundwork .
To pass this test level : your dog should have no significant reaction to the other animal apart from a casual interest in them . Your dog should also not go to the other pet or the other animal trainer .
Test Point #9: Reaction to Distraction
The 9th test is for frump ’s reaction to misdirection to be certain that they can remain cool - headed and confident in day to sidereal day situations despite any distraction(s ) . During this exercise , the judge will choose and perform two distraction scenarios for your pup and estimate their response .
It is permissible for your andiron to be concerned or singular about the distraction and a slight level of startling is also acceptable . You may tattle to and encourage the ducky throughout the exercise .
To top this test percentage point : your dog may not show any sign of affright , aggressiveness , or barque .
Test Point #10: Supervised Separation
The 10th one tests whether the fauna can be left alone with a trust someone and keep acceptable behavior during this menstruum . The evaluator may require whether you would care them to “ watch your pawl ” before aim over their deuce-ace . You will then be require to go somewhere out of peck for three full minutes . Your pet does not have to stay in a single view during this time and the judge may talk to them , too .
To pass this exam point : your dog must not show anything other than balmy jumpiness or fermentation ; they should not pace , and they should not whine or bark ceaselessly . to boot , the evaluator must not have to repeatedly stress to oversee your dog , pet them repeatedly , or talk to them too .
AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing
Equipment for Testing
When your Fido fill their CGC test , they must have a leash and collar . The collar must be a leather , fabric , or chain slip apprehension or a well - match warp dog collar . You may NOT put a tweak dog collar , foreland harness , or electronic neckband on your click for their mental test .
dog are allowed to break a trunk harness for their testing ; however , the harness must be cleared by the judge prior to testing to be sure that it is not restrictive or manipulative of the dog in any agency .
You will also be asked to institute your dog ’s groom light touch for test point three .
Encouragement During Testing
During your heel ’s CGC testing , you are allow to encourage and praise your pooch and you may also pet them between the different test point . You are NOT permitted to use food , drink , or toys , or to pull wires the brute into perform certain legal action .
Reasons for Failure or Dismissal
There are two master understanding for dogs to be fire from CGC examination :
“AKC CGC Responsible Dog Owners Pledge”
Prior to taking the Canine Good Citizen test with your familiar , you will be expect to sign the “ AKC CGC Responsible Dog Owner ’s Pledge . This pledge is a list of obligation that you pledge to uphold as aresponsible dog ownerand include the followers :
Programs to Consider Afterwards
Once you have complete CGC training and testing , you may find that you miss the level of fundamental interaction that the trend gave you and the pup . If this is the guinea pig , there are plenty of other great class and opportunities to deal , including :
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