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AKC TESTING PROGRAM FOR THE CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to
approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The
evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a
friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands
and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or
shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it
while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler's side, to
begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The
handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may
stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.
Test 3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed
and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or
friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner's care,
concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator inspects the dog to
determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy
condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should
supply the comb or brush commonly used on the dog. The evaluator then
softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines
the ears and gently picks up each front foot. It is not necessary for the dog
to hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk
to the dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog may
be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should leave no doubt
that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler's
movements and changes of direction. The dog need not be perfectly
aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops. The
evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team
by issuing instructions or commands. In either case, there should be a right
turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and
another at the end. The handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise
the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit
the dog at the halts if desired.
Test 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). The dog may show
some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the handler,
without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler
may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test.
The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the leash.
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the
handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the place
commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler
prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner
chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the
dog's leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a
reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to get the dog
to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the dog has
responded to the handler's commands. The handler may not force the dog
into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When
instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks
forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace.
The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it may change
position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The
dog may be released from the front or the side.
Test 7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler.
The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the
dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers
may choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they may simply walk away,
giving no instructions to the dog.
Test 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, and continue on for
about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each
other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with
common distracting situations. The evaluator will select and present two
distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a
crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping
a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or
may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show
aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or
praise it throughout the exercise.
Test 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").
Equipment
All tests must be performed on leash. Dogs should wear well-fitting buckle
or slip collars made of leather, fabric, or chain. Special training collars such
as pinch collars, head halters, etc. are not permitted in the CGC test. We
recognize that special training collars may be very useful tools for
beginning dog trainers, however, we feel that dogs are ready to take the
CGC test at the point at which they are transitioned to regular collars.
The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The owner/handler should
bring the dog's brush or comb to the test.
Encouragement
Owners/handlers may use praise and encouragement throughout the test.
The owner may pet the dog between exercises. Food and treats are not
permitted during testing, nor is the use of toys, squeaky toys, etc. to get the
dog to do something. We recognize that food and toys may provide valuable
reinforcement or encouragement during the training process but these
items should not be used during the test.
Failures - Dismissals
Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked failed. The only
exception to this rule is that elimination is allowable in test Item 10, but only
when test Item 10 is held outdoors.
Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to attack a person or
another dog is not a good citizen and must be dismissed from the test.
Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to
approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The
evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a
friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands
and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or
shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it
while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler's side, to
begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The
handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may
stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.
Test 3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed
and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or
friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner's care,
concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator inspects the dog to
determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy
condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should
supply the comb or brush commonly used on the dog. The evaluator then
softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines
the ears and gently picks up each front foot. It is not necessary for the dog
to hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk
to the dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog may
be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should leave no doubt
that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler's
movements and changes of direction. The dog need not be perfectly
aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops. The
evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team
by issuing instructions or commands. In either case, there should be a right
turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and
another at the end. The handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise
the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit
the dog at the halts if desired.
Test 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). The dog may show
some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the handler,
without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler
may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test.
The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the leash.
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the
handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the place
commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler
prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner
chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the
dog's leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a
reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to get the dog
to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the dog has
responded to the handler's commands. The handler may not force the dog
into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When
instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks
forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace.
The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it may change
position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The
dog may be released from the front or the side.
Test 7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler.
The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the
dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers
may choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they may simply walk away,
giving no instructions to the dog.
Test 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, and continue on for
about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each
other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with
common distracting situations. The evaluator will select and present two
distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a
crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping
a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or
may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show
aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or
praise it throughout the exercise.
Test 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").
Equipment
All tests must be performed on leash. Dogs should wear well-fitting buckle
or slip collars made of leather, fabric, or chain. Special training collars such
as pinch collars, head halters, etc. are not permitted in the CGC test. We
recognize that special training collars may be very useful tools for
beginning dog trainers, however, we feel that dogs are ready to take the
CGC test at the point at which they are transitioned to regular collars.
The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The owner/handler should
bring the dog's brush or comb to the test.
Encouragement
Owners/handlers may use praise and encouragement throughout the test.
The owner may pet the dog between exercises. Food and treats are not
permitted during testing, nor is the use of toys, squeaky toys, etc. to get the
dog to do something. We recognize that food and toys may provide valuable
reinforcement or encouragement during the training process but these
items should not be used during the test.
Failures - Dismissals
Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked failed. The only
exception to this rule is that elimination is allowable in test Item 10, but only
when test Item 10 is held outdoors.
Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to attack a person or
another dog is not a good citizen and must be dismissed from the test.
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