About a week ago, the AKC celebrated a milestone when the millionth dog passed its Canine Good Citizen test. The honor went to “Fiona,” a Bernese Mountain Dog who will eventually have a role as a grief therapy dog in nursing homes.
AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program, a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and good manners for dogs, began in 1989. The 10-step test training and title is used as a prerequisite by several therapy dog groups, and many service dog organizations start their dogs with CGC training.
Could your dog pass the test?
The tasks a dog must demonstrate include:
1. Accepting a Friendly Stranger – The dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler.
2. Sitting Politely for Petting – The dog will allow a friendly stranger to pet it while it is out with its handler.
3. Appearance and Grooming – The dog will permit someone to check it’s ears and front feet, as a groomer or veterinarian would do.
4. Out for a Walk (walking on a loose lead) – Following the evaluator’s instructions, the dog will walk on a loose lead (with the handler/owner).
5. Walking Through a Crowd – This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three).
6. Sit and Down on Command and Staying in Place – The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay.
7. Coming When Called This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler (from 10 feet on a leash).
8. Reaction to Another Dog This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
9. Reaction to Distraction – The evaluator will select and present two distractions such as dropping a chair, etc.
10. Supervised Separation – This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, “Would you like me to watch your dog?” and then take hold of the dog’s leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g, “there, there, it’s alright”).
Dogs don’t have to be registered with the AKC to earn a CGC, nor do they have to be purebred dogs or, in fact, registered with any canine organization. The goal is to promote good citizenship for all dogs.
Not everyone – or at least, not the trainer who wrote this article, thinks the CGC is a great idea. Your thoughts?
Meanwhile, if your dog has a CGC, please share his or her picture, and be sure to add the hashtag for your breed (example: #BerneseMountainDog as well as #ThisisAKC and #CGC. Don’t forget to put it on your Instagram page!
Photo shared with consent from the AKC