CGC SKILLS
The 10 test items for the Canine Good Citizen test, as listed on the AKC website:
1. Accepting a friendly stranger
Evaluator approaches and pretends to shake hands with handler (hands 6- 12” apart). Evaluator does not touch dog.
2. Sitting politely for petting
Evaluator pets dog; dog must show no shyness or resentment.
3. Appearance and grooming
Evaluator inspects dog, combs or brushes lightly, examines ears and each front foot.
4. Out for a walk
Handler takes dog for a short walk including right turn, left turn, about turn and stop.
5. Walking through a crowd
Dog and handler walk close to several people; dog may show causal interest but not jump up.
6. Sit and down on cue/Staying in place
Handler shows that dog can do both sit and down, then chooses a position, leaves dog and goes to the end of a 20 ft. line, and returns immediately.
7. Coming when called
With dog still on 20 ft. line from Test 6, handler walks out 10 ft. and calls the dog.
8. Reaction to another dog
Two handlers and dogs approach, pretend to shake hands (hands 6-12” apart), exchange pleasantries, then move on.
9. Reaction to distractions
Distractions are presented; dog may not panic or show aggression.
10. Supervised separation
Handler goes out of sight for 3-min. Dog is held on a 6-ft. leash by an evaluator.
Once a dog has passed all 10 items of the test with an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator, the CGC can be registered either as a certificate, or as an official AKC title, to be listed on the dog’s record and after their name (e.g, “Princess, CGC”) – akc.org
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