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AKC Canine Good Citizen

The CGC Program is designed to teach responsible dog ownership to owners and certify dogs that have the training and behaviors needed to be reliable, well-behaved members of their families and communities. The purpose is to ensure that your dog can be a respected member of the community because it has been trained to be well-behaved in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs.  

Canine Good Citizen Test 

1

Accepting a friendly stranger 

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​*Evaluator approaches and shakes hands, does not pet dog.

2

Sitting politely for petting 

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​*Dog must show no shyness or resentment 

3

Appearance and grooming

 

*Evaluator inspects dog, comb/brushes, examines ears, and each front paw

4

Out for a walk

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​*Right turn, Left turn, U-turn, and stop

5

Walking through a crowd 

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​*Walk close to several people, dog may show casual interest but not jump up

6

Sit and Down on cue / 

Staying in place 

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​*Dog stays in Sit or Down then owner walks 20 ft. and returns without dog breaking command

7

Coming when called 

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​*From a 10 ft. distance 

8

Reaction to another dog 

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​*Two handlers and dogs approach (dogs on opposite sides), shake hands, exchange pleasantries, then move on.

9

Reaction to distractions

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​*Dog may not panic or show aggression 

10

Supervised seperation

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​*Handler goes out of sight for 3 minutes, dog may not pull, bark, or show signs of distress

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