akc tests

what is a canine good citizen?

The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test is a 10-skill test that teaches good manners to dogs, and responsible dog ownership to their humans.

The AKC CGC program provides the outline for training your dog to become a polite, 4 legged member of society. The 10 skills tested on the CGC test are practical, functional behaviors that every dog should be able to complete to be welcomed in the community.

All dogs are good dogs. It just takes some training, love, commitment, and of course, praise!

the skills test

We are a certified evaluator for the CGC test where you must pass the following:

  1. Approach a friendly stranger

  2. Accept a pet from a friendly stranger

  3. Ears & feet touched for a physical examination or grooming

  4. Walk with a controlled loose leash

  5. Walk politely & controlled through a crowd

  6. Sit, down, & stay on command

  7. Come when called

  8. Behave politely around other dogs

  9. Behave politely under controlled chaos like a jogger or loud vehicles

  10. Separate out of site from the owner for 3 minutes

Our private lessons can help you achieve this goal! 

*available for all clients

cgc urban

The CGC Urban are CGC skills and beyond, in a busy, public setting. This may include traffic, distractions, strangers, noises, and smells that may be present in a town or city.

This is a public access test that shows just how well-behaved and well-trained your pup is in a public setting.

  1. Exit/enter doorway with no pulling.

  2. Walk through a crowd on a busy sidewalk.

    • People come toward the dog from 1-ft. away

    • Tolerate distractions (people wearing hats, coats, men, women, etc).

  3. Appropriate reaction to city distractions. This includes movement, noises, and walking on a variety of surfaces. Examples:

    • Noises: horns, sirens, construction noise, etc.

    • Moving objects: skateboard, bike, carts, person running

    • Surfaces: concrete, grass, grates, plastic tarp, wet sidewalk

  4. Crossing street: Stop at corner, stand or sit to wait and cross with no pulling (on leash, with owner). Crosses street under control.

  5. Ignore food on the sidewalk. (Dropped food, or cups, bags, cans, in which food was wrapped).

  6. Person walks up and pets your dog. They may be carrying an item such as a small dog in a bag, a computer bag, etc. Person does not put the bag down to pet your dog.

  7. Public Building- Walks under control in building. Down stay for 3 min in the lobby or outdoor area, or waits while owner has a meal or snack.

  8. Stairs, steps, or elevator under control.

    • Steps (at least 3 – up and down)

    • Elevator (Enters under control, exits, rides under control)

  9. Housetrained for apartment, condo, or city living. Owner may verify this item. Evaluator may also observe in public buildings, or have observed in training classes.

  10. Transportation- Owner’s choice depending on transportation needs.

    • Car- Enters/exits, remains under control during the ride.

CGC Urban Test Items

AKC S.T.A.R Puppy is an exciting in-person training designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start!

s.t.a.r puppy

Training teaches you how to best communicate with your puppy and socialize with the outside world. You’ll be able to get information on all your puppy-raising questions including housetraining, chewing, and the most effective way to teach practical skills such as coming when called. AKC S.T.A.R Puppy training is a natural lead in to the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program.