What Is the CGC Test?

The Canine Good Citizen Test was designed in 1989 by the American Kennel Club as a way of both promoting training and rewarding responsible owners.  Despite AKC shows and trials being “for purebreds only” the CGC test is and has always been open to any breed or mixed breed dog.

The requirement to receive a CGC certificate for your dog is passing each of the ten parts of the test. Each of the ten parts is designed to present a true-to-life scenario that you and your dog may encounter at home or in the community.  During the test your dog will greet and allow petting by a friendly stranger, allow light grooming and handling by the stranger, Sit and Down on cue, Stay in position, Come when called, walk politely on leash past other dogs and through a crowd, react in a calm manner to visual and auditory distraction as well as tolerate being left alone. The behaviors do not need to be done in a precise manner and you can help your dog by using praise and extra commands.  If your dog does not pass the CGC test the first time you take it you may retake it again at any time.

Reasons To Take the Test

For many owners the CGC test is the end goal of their training.  To others the CGC is just the foundation for more advanced training. Training enhances your relationship with your dog and trained dogs certainly make the best neighbors. 

In recent times new and proposed  laws on dog ownership can be as restrictive as outlawing certain breeds or limiting owners to just one or two dogs.  The push for such laws tends to come about after a tragedy involving an irresponsible owner and their untrained dog.  For much the same reasons, multiple home owner’s insurance companies have an ever growing list of breeds which they do not allow their policy holders to own.  In short, people are quick to acknowledge “bad dogs” and in the end responsible owners have to suffer the aftermath.

Training for and obtaining a Canine Good Citizen test will set you apart from the irresponsible owners and prove to others that your dog has been trained to a certain level of good manners.  Renters, especially those with large intimidating breeds, may find it easier for their dogs to be accepted if their dogs have passed the CGC test.  Nationwide Insurance company, in some regions, is now issuing policies to homeowner’s with previously prohibited breeds if the dog(s) in question have passed the CGC test.  State legislatures have begun recognizing the CGC program as a means of advocating responsible dog ownership and over twenty states now have Canine Good Citizen resolutions.

Are You and Your Dog Ready?

Answer True or False to the following questions to see if you and your dog are ready to take the Canine Good Citizen test:

1. My dog is under control wearing a buckle, martingale or regular choke collar. True   False.  (Note, special training collars such as prong or head collars are not permitted during the test.)

2. My dog is polite towards strangers approaching and touching them. True   False.

3. My dogs accepts grooming from both myself and others. True   False.

4. My Dog will it, Down, Stay and Come when asked. True   False.

5. My dog is well-behaved around other dogs and groups of people. True   False.

6. My dog remains calm and under control in the presence of sudden loud noises as well as sudden quick movement. True   False.

7. My dog can be left with a stranger on leash without becoming upset.  True   False.

If you answered True to all of the questions you and your dog should  be ready to take the CGC test.  If you answered false to any of the questions you may want to work on those behaviors a bit more before taking the test.

For more information on the test visit www.akc.org.