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An Owner’s Manual for:1 0 ESSENTIAL SK I LLS:CGC T E ST ITEMSby theA M E R I CAN K E N N E L C LU B

WHAT IS IT?The Canine Good Citizen programis a 10-step test that certifies dogs whohave good manners at home and intheir community. Over 600,000 dogsacross the United States have becomeCanine Good Citizens, and 42 stateshave passed resolutions recognizing theprogram’s merit and importance.AKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 2

RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSPLEDGEBefore taking the Canine Good Citizentest, owners will sign the ResponsibleDog Owners Pledge.We believe that responsible dog ownership is a key part of the CGC concept andby signing the pledge, owners agree totake care of their dog’s health needs, safety, exercise, training and quality of life. Owners also agree to show responsibility by doing things such as cleaning up after their dogs in public places and never letting dogs infringeon the rights of others.After signing the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, owners and their dogs are ready to take the CGC Test.The test is all done on leash.David Woo AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 3

TEST 1:ACCEPTING A FRIENDLY STRANGERThis test demonstrates that the dog will allow afriendly stranger to approach it and speak to thehandler in a natural, everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets thehandler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. Theevaluator and handler shake hands and exchangepleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness. AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 4

TEST 2:SITTING POLITELY FOR PETTINGThis test demonstrates that the dog willallow a friendly stranger to touch it whileit is out with its handler. With the dogsitting at the handler’s side, to begin theexercise, the evaluator pets the dog on thehead and body. The handler may talk tohis or her dog throughout the exercise.The dog may stand in place as it is petted.The dog must not show shyness or resentment. AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 5

TEST 3:APPEARANCE AND GROOMINGThis practical test demonstrates that the dog willwelcome being groomed and examined and willpermit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer orfriend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstratesthe owner’s care, concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if itis clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be inhealthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthyand alert). The handler should supply the comb orbrush commonly used on the dog. The evaluatorthen softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gentlypicks up each front foot. It is not necessary for thedog to hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise itand give encouragement throughout.Mary Bloom AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 6

TEST 4:OUT FOR A WALK(WALKING ON A LOOSE LEAD)This test demonstrates that the handler is in controlof the dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog’s position should leave no doubt thatthe dog is attentive to the handler and is respondingto the handler’s movements and changes of direction. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with thehandler and need not sit when the handler stops. Theevaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may directthe handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In either case, there should be a right turn,left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop inbetween and another at the end. The handler may talkto the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sitthe dog at the halts if desired.Mary Bloom AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 7

TEST 5:WALKING THROUGH A CROWDThis test demonstrates that the dog can moveabout politely in pedestrian traffic and is undercontrol in public places. The dog and handlerwalk around and pass close to several people (atleast three). The dog may show some interest inthe strangers but should continue to walk withthe handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler maytalk to the dog and encourage or praise the dogthroughout the test. The dog should not jumpon people in the crowd or strain on the leash. AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 8

TEST 6:SIT AND DOWN ON COMMAND AND STAYINGIN PLACEThis test demonstrates that the dog has training, willrespond to the handler’s commands to sit and downand will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command,then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dogin the stay. Prior to this test, the dog’s leash is replacedwith a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one commandto get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator mustdetermine if the dog has responded to the handler’s commands. The handler may not force the dog into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dogto stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The dog mustremain in the place in which it was left (it may change position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may be released from the front or the side. AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 9

TEST 7:COMING WHEN CALLEDThis test demonstrates that the dogwill come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feetfrom the dog, turn to face the dog,and call the dog. The handler mayuse encouragement to get the dogto come. Handlers may choose totell dogs to “stay” or “wait” or theymay simply walk away, giving noinstructions to the dog. AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 10

TEST 8:REACTION TO ANOTHER DOGThis test demonstrates that the dog can behavepolitely around other dogs. Two handlers andtheir dogs approach each other from a distanceof about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchangepleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet.The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to theother dog or its handler. AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 11

TEST 9:REACTION TODISTRACTIONThis test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations.The evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dogmay express natural interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to runaway, show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it throughout theexercise. AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 12

TEST 10:SUPERVISED SEPARATIONThis test demonstrates that a dog can be left witha trusted person, if necessary, and will maintaintraining and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, “Would you likeme to watch your dog?” and then take hold of thedog’s leash. The owner will go out of sight forthree minutes. The dog does not have to stay inposition but should not continually bark, whine,or pace unnecessarily, or show anything strongerthan mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluatorsmay talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts(e.g, “there, there, it’s alright”). AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 13

THANK YOU FOR READINGWe hope this information was helpful,and may even inspire you to give CGC atry. Find an evaluator in your area here:https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/events/cgc/cgc bystate.cfmMary Bloom AKCAKC OWNE R’ S MANUA L10 Essential Skills: CGC Test Items 14

TH E AM ER ICAN KE NNE L C LUBWHO AND WHAT WE ARE:The AKC is a not-for-profit organization and the largestpurebred dog registry in the world. We are thesports-governing body for over 22,000 dog events a year,including conformation (dog shows) and exciting sports likeagility, obedience, rally, tracking, lure coursing, earthdog,herding trials, among others.

TH E AM ER ICAN KE NNE L C LUBBut the AKC is so much more! Here are just some of the ways we support and enrich the lives of dogs—purebreds andmixed-breeds alike—and their families. We:nCreated the AKC Humane Fund, which supports breeddonated over 24 million to the CHF. (The AKC is the onlyrescue activities, assists shelters that permit domestic-abuseregistry that incorporates health-screening results into its per-victims to bring their pets, and educates dog lovers about re-manent dog records.)sponsible dog ownership.nnOffer the Canine Good Citizen program: A 10-step testthat certifies dogs who have good manners at home and inConduct thousands of kennel inspections annually to mon-itor care and conditions at kennels across the country andensure the integrity of the AKC registry.their community. Over 725,000 dogs across the United StatesOffer the largest, most comprehensive set of DNA programshave become Canine Good Citizens , and 42 states have passednresolutions recognizing the program’s merit and importance.for parentage verification and genetic identity to ensure reliable registration records.nFounded AKC Reunite, which has brought more than 400,000lost pets back together with their owners.nSupport one of the world’s largest collections of dog-relatedfine art and artifacts at the AKC Museum of the Dog, and wenCreated the AKC Canine Health Foundation, which fundsresearch projects and clinical studies. Since 1995 the AKC hashave the world’s largest dog library at AKC headquarters inNew York, both of which are open to the public.

TH E AM ER ICAN KE NNE L C LUBTHANK YOU FOR READING!We hope this information was valuable to you in helping your puppy live a long, healthy, happy life. Below, find additionalbooks in our Owner’s Manual series designed to strengthen the bond between you and your furry family member.5 TRICKS TOSHOW OFFCANINE BODYLANGUAGECANINE GOODCITIZENAGILITY FORBEGINNERSPUPPY NUTRITIONHOW TO CRATETRAIN YOUR DOGFIRST AIDFOR DOGSSELECTING A PUPPY5 BASIC COMMANDSLIFE WITH ASENIOR DOGWHY DOES MY DOGDO THAT?RESPONSIBLE DOGOWNER TIPSWHAT’S HE THINKING?PUPPYSOCIALIZATION

RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS PLEDGE Before taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge. We believe that responsible dog owner-ship is a key part of the CGC concept and by signing the pledge, owners agree to take care of their dog’s health needs, safety,