Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC)

Next CGC Test to be given December 5, 2010 at 2:30pm at Rover Come Over Dog Day Care in Canton, MA.  Limited to 10 teams.  Preference given to those enrolled in the CGC Prep class held the 5wks prior to the CGC Evaluation.  Pre-registration is required.  Cost: $25.  Contact Katrin katrin@maplewooddog.com if interested.

 

Our CGC Prep Class (or Canine Good Citizen Prep Class) is a course for dogs who have successfully completed either our Basic Manners 1 or 2 Classes.  This course will be a very fast paced course, working each of the 1st 5 weeks to train to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluation on the 6th week. 

 

We will be working on the 10 skills of the CGC Evaluation which include- greeting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting, accepting grooming, walking appropriately on lead, walking though a crowd, walking past another unknown dog, showing that your dog knows the basic obedience skills of 'sit', 'down', 'stay' and 'come', ignoring distractions and being left with a stranger for a few minutes while the handler goes out of sight. 

 

Teams must complete the test on a buckle collar and 6' leash and with no food or toy rewards (you are allowed to praise and talk to your dog during the evaluation).  The test is administered by an approved AKC Evaluator and dogs that pass the Pass/Fail test will be awarded a certificate through the American Kennel Club. 

 

A number of home owners insurance companies will offer a discount or reduction of fee on a home owner's policy if your dog has passed his CGC Test.  Check with your insurance company to learn if your policy offers such a discount.

 

The CGC is also used by some therapy dog organizations to test possible therapy dog candidates.  A therapy dog is a dog that goes in to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, schools etc with its handler and allows the residents of the facility to interact with a dog.  Therapy dogs must be calm when around many different smells and objects, be very friendly and enjoy petting and know the basic obedience commands.  Seeing how the CGC tests all of the above, it is a useful exam.  TDI (Therapy Dogs International) uses a modified CGC test to test all of its applicants.