Components Of The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test
The Canine Good Citizen Test is a certification program that tests dogs in simulated everyday situations in a relaxed atmosphere. It identifies and rewards dogs that have the training and demeanor to be reliable family members as well as good-standing community members. All dogs passing the Canine Good Citizen Test receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.
The purpose of the Canine Good Citizen Test is to ensure that our favorite companion, the dog, can be a respected member of the community because it is trained and conditioned to act mannerly in the home, in public places and in the presence of other dogs. The program embraces both pure-bred and mixed-breed dogs.
Canine Good Citizen training is fun and useful. Through it, you and your dog will establish a closer bond and your dog will have the added benefit of knowing how to please you. This test of your dog's manners and training is not a competition and does not require that you and your dog perform with precision.
The American Kennel Club urges all dog owners to participate in this program, thereby assuring that our beloved dogs will always be welcomed and respected members of the community.
Demonstrating Confidence and Control, The Dog Must Complete These Ten Steps:
1. Accepting a friendly stranger.
The dog must show no signs of resentment or shyness, must not break position or try to go to the "stranger".
2. Sit politely for petting.
The dog must sit at its handler's side and allow a stranger to pet it without showing shyness or resentment.
3. Appearance and grooming.
The dog must allow a stranger to examine it and perform a light brushing. The evaluator will inspect the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed.
4. Out for a walk (walk on loose lead).
Simply demonstrates that the handler has control of the dog. The dog must walk with the handler and respond to changes in direction.
5. Walking through a crowd:
Shows that the dog can move about through pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places without jumping or straining on the leash.
6. Sit & Down on command - Staying in place.
Simply shows that the dog has had training and responds to the handler's command to sit, down and stay.
7. Coming when called.
The dog must come when called from a distance of 10 ft.
8. Reaction to another dog.
This item shows that the dog can behave politely around other dogs.
9. Reaction to distraction.
This item shows that the dog has confidence when faced w/distracting situations, strange noises, strange objects & people doing strange things.
10. Supervised separation.
Demonstrates that the dog can be left w/a trusted person (vet, groomer, etc.) and maintain good manners.
A dog must be old enough to have had their rabies vaccination before they can receive the CGC certificate.
No dogs "fail" the CGC evaluation. If they don't qualify for the certificate, it simply means that there are areas of training that need more work and the evaluation may be retaken at a later date.
|
|
Components Of The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program
"STAR" is an acronym for:
Congratulations Max
on being a AKC S.T.A.R. |
- Socialization
- Training
- Activity and a
- Responsible owner.
The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is for owners who graduate from puppy or basic training classes taught by AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluators.
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is open to purebred and mixed breed dogs and the program defines "puppy" as a dog to the age of 1 year old.
The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is designed to reward owners who have taken the time to take their puppies to a class at least 6 weeks long.
The 20 STEPS to Success: The S.T.A.R. Puppy Test
OWNER BEHAVIORS:
- Maintains puppy’s health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy)
- Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge
- Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan
- Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator
- Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy
- Owner has obtained some form of ID for puppy-collar tag, etc.
PUPPY BEHAVIORS:
- Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class.
- Free o aggression toward other puppies in class
- Tolerates collar or body harness of owner’s choice
- Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)
- Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy
PRE-CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
TEST BEHAVIORS
- Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner
- Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)
- Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)
- Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away
- Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure
- Down on command-Owner may use a food lure
- Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called
- Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away
- Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)
To learn more about the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, visit www.akc.org/starpuppy.
|
