Become a Canine Good Citizen
From LoveToKnow Dogs
Did you know there is a real test for your dog to be certified and legally called a Canine Good Citizen? Let dog expert Wendy Nan Rees tell you how your dog can pass the test.
About the Canine Good Citizen Award
There is a 10-step test to earn the award and it is the only award that the AKC recognizes for all breeds, even mixed breeds and adopted dogs. When I found out about this test I was so excited, I felt I had to share this with you. Mainly because after reading the questions involved, I believe it is up to all dog owners to make sure their dogs qualify to earn the certificate known as the CGC Award, whether they will take the test or not.
If your dog is going to take the test, it is important for you to know that they must pass all ten questions or steps. They are not allowed to go to the bathroom during the test and no halters or food are allowed during testing. If the dog misses one of the steps, it can be redone, but if the dog misses more than one you have to come back another day to try again.
Why the CGC is Important
Even if you never plan to take the test, it's a great idea to know that you and your dog can perform all the steps involved. Not only will it be rewarding for both of you, it will also give you the confidence of knowing that your dog is very well trained and can go anywhere you go.
If you decide to take the test, you'll want to ask around to see who offers the CGC. It is offered at many kennel clubs, obedience clubs and training centers. After your dog passes, he will receive a special certificate for all the world to see. You can also get a collar tag to show how proud you are of his accomplishment.
Ten Steps for the CGC Test
First Step: The evaluator will ask to see how your dog accepts a friendly stranger. This will involve your dog sitting down next to you and remaining calm while a person approaches you, shakes your hand and ignores your dog. Your dog should stay calm and seated next to you at all times.
Second Step: The evaluator will ask politely, while your dog is still sitting by your side, if he may pet your dog's head and body. It is better if your dog stays in a sit or down position. He can stand up, but if he jumps or pulls he will not pass on this. Remember, you do not want your dog to jump on any person or pull away.
Third Step: The evaluator wants to see how you go about grooming your dog. You want your dog to be clean with a bright shiny coat. You want him to be alert, healthy, and properly groomed. The evaluator will watch you look into your dog’s mouth, ears and eyes. This also involves picking up your dog's paws and lifting up his tail. All the while, your dog should allow you to groom him and enjoy the process.
Fourth Step: Walking with your dog on a loose leash. A short course will be laid out for you and your dog to walk through. The evaluator will stand in the middle and will ask you to make a left turn, a right turn and to turn 180 degrees. He will ask you to come to a stop (yelling halt at you and your dog). It is very important that your dog be in the heel position all the way through the course. It also helpful to have the dog on your left side, which is the correct position for training when walking with your dog.
Fifth Step: The evaluator will next have you walk with your dog into an area where there are many other people standing with their own dogs. The point of this is to make sure your dog is going to stay close to you and not be distracted by the other dogs. He can look, but never break from the heel by your side. Remember to make sure you have practiced this. Your dog should never shy away and never rush anyone or jump on them at any time.
Sixth Step: The evaluator will now ask you to show him how your dog performs the sit, stay and down commands. Once you have done this, he will ask you to pick the one position you know your dog is most comfortable in and leave him in it. He will then have you walk 20 feet away. Your dog must stay. Then you are asked to walk back to your dog, still with your dog in the position you left him in. The dog should not move until the evaluator tells you to release your dog.
Seventh Step: The evaluator is now going to ask you to have your dog in a sit/stay position. You will then walk away from your dog, turn around and have your dog come when called. You are allowed to use a hand or voice cue.
Eighth Step: How your dog reacts to other dogs. The evaluator will observe your dog with another dog, or several dogs, and handler in the test area. You will be walking towards each other and you will stop in the middle, shake hands and continue walking. The dogs must not have any contact; no greeting each other. They are supposed to just sit quietly.
Ninth Step: In this step the evaluator is looking for your dog’s reaction to a distraction. He will present two distractions to your dog; one will be visual and one will be auditory. The best way to practice for this is to practice walking your dog in a heel position in a loud, crowded area. Make sure he stays in a heel, focused on you at all times.
Tenth Step: Supervised separation. Here the evaluator will observe how your dog reacts when you leave with a stranger holding your dog on a leash. You are asked to leave your dog for three minutes and remain out of sight. Your dog cannot pace, bark or whine. If he shows any of these behaviors, he will fail.
In Summary
This may sound hard at first, but I assure you that everything here is taught in training classes when you go to school with your dog. This is another great reason why obedience school is so important.
More Training Advice From Wendy
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This page has been accessed 324 times. This page was last modified 08:24, 11 March 2009.
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