Canine Good Citizen Class

Canine Good Citizen (Graduates of About Town Class)

Canine Good Citizen is an American Kennel Club (AKC) certification program that is open to all dogs – mixed breed or purebred (AKC registration is optional). It is intended to reward responsible pet ownership and good dog manners (see the AKC CGC Program).

Accepting a friendly stranger

• Evaluator approaches and pretends to shake hands with handler (hands 6- 12” apart). Evaluator does not touch dog.

Sitting politely for petting

•  Evaluator pets dog; dog must show no shyness or resentment.

Appearance and grooming

• Evaluator inspects dog, combs or brushes lightly, examines ears and each front foot.

Out for a walk

• Handler takes dog for a short walk including right turn, left turn, about turn and stop.

Walking through a crowd

• Dog and handler walk close to several people; dog may show causal interest but not jump up.

Sit and down on cue/Staying in place

• Handler shows that dog can do sit and down, then chooses a position, leaves dog and goes to the end of a 20 ft. line, and returns immediately.

Coming when called

• With dog still on 20 ft. line from Test 6, handler walks out 10 ft. and calls the dog.

Reaction to another dog

• Two handlers and dogs approach, pretend to shake hands (hands 6-12” apart), exchange pleasantries, then move on.

Reaction to distractions

• Distractions are presented; dog may not panic or show aggression.

Supervised separation

• Handler goes out of sight for 3-min. Dog is held on a 6-ft. leash by an evaluator.