CGC Testing

Community Canine

AKC Community Canine is the advanced level of AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program.

As with CGC, AKC Community Canine has a 10-step test of skills that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Community Canine title. This is a title that appears on the dog’s title record at AKC.

While Canine Good Citizen tests are simulations of real world skills, (e.g., dog/handler walks through a “crowd” of evaluators in a ring), the goal of AKC Community Canine is to test the dog’s skills in a natural setting. For example, rather than the dog being tested in a ring, in AKC Community Canine, the “walks through a crowd” test item will involve the dog walking through a real crowd on a busy sidewalk, in a therapy dog setting, or at the training facility.

Test Fee: $15

Test Items:

1. Dog stands, sits or lies down and waits under control while the owner sits and has a snack or visits with another person (e.g., at a park)
2. Walks on a loose leash; does not pull
3. Walks on a loose leash through a crowd
4. Dog walks past distraction dogs present; does not pull
5. Sit + stay in small group (3 other people with dogs)
6. Dog allows person who is carrying something (backpack, computer bag, etc.) to approach and pet it.
7. Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, “Leave it.”
8. Down or sit stay plus distance (20′)
9. Recall with distractions present (20′)
10. Stay while owner enters/exits a doorway or narrow passageway

S.T.A.R. Puppy

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is an incentive program for loving dog owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through puppy training classes.

When you complete the Puppy I and Puppy II cycle of classes (8 weeks) your puppy is eligible to be enrolled in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. Upon passing the test, you’ll get an application to send to the AKC for enrollment in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. All dogs are welcome to participate in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program including purebreds and mixed breeds.

Your puppy will receive the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal (for display or memento purposes; not suitable as a collar tag). You and your puppy will be listed in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records. In addition, so that you can continue learning, you’ll receive our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package that includes:

• A beautiful, frameable certificate designating your puppy is in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records at AKC
• AKC Puppy Handbook, a valuable resource
• Discount to enroll in AKC Reunite, a 24-hour recovery service
• Ongoing Monthly Email Newsletter: Your AKC. This includes training tips and up-to-date information every dog owner needs to know. We want you and your puppy to continue learning beyond puppy classes.

Test Fee: Included in Puppy II Class

Test Items:

OWNER BEHAVIORS:

1. Maintains puppy’s health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy)
2. Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge
3. Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan
4. Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator
5. Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy
6. Owner has obtained some form of ID for puppy-collar tag, etc.

PUPPY BEHAVIORS:

7. Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class
8. Free of aggression toward other puppies in class
9. Tolerates collar or body harness of owner’s choice
10. Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)
11. Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy

PRE-CANINE GOOD CITIZEN® TEST BEHAVIORS:

12. Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner
13. Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)
14. Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)
15. Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away
16. Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure
17. Down on command-Owner may use a food lure
18. Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called
19. Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away
20. Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)