Canine Good Citizen® (CGC)

At the American Kennel Club®, we’re not just champion dogs, we’re the dogs’ champion. We believe that all dogs deserve training and a responsible owner and our goal is to reward responsible dog ownership. The AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program is designed to recognize dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. This rapidly growing nationally recognized program stresses responsible dog ownership for owners and basic training and good manners for dogs.

Test Requirements

  1. Accepting a Friendly Stranger
  2. Sitting Politely for Petting
  3. Appearance and Grooming
  4. Out for a Walk (includes right and left turns)
  5. Walking Through a Crowd
  6. Sit and Down on Command/Staying in Place
  7. Coming When Called
  8. Reaction to Another Dog
  9. Reactions to Distractions
  10. Supervised Separation

The Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program started in 1989 and is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club®.

Many dog owners choose The Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program as the first step in training their dogs. The Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events. As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you’ll discover the many benefits and joys of training your dog. Training will enhance the bond between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the presence of people and other dogs, and they fully enjoy the company of the owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high quality life. We sincerely hope that CGC will be only a beginning for you and your dog and that after passing the CGC test, you’ll continue training in obedience, agility, tracking, or performance events.

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