Is Your Dog a Canine Good Citizen?

Passing the AKC Canine Good Citizen test is a good goal for all dogs and owners.

Canine Good Citizen Requirements

The American Kennel Club offers a Canine Good Citizen program designed to measure your dog’s social manners out in public with other dogs and humans. The testing evaluates several things your dog has been trained for, such as walking on a loose leash, meet and greets with dogs and people, basic commands, distraction work, separation with a trusted person and grooming. Upon passing the test, the American Kennel Club issues a certification formally acknowledging him as a Canine Good Citizen. The test is required by most therapy dog programs, and is a great foundation if you are interested in doing this type of work with your dog. The ten items on the Canine Good Citizen test are:

1. Accepting a friendly stranger.
2. Sitting politely for petting.
3. Reaction to another dog.
4. Reaction to distraction.
5. Walking on a loose lead.
6. Walking through a crowd.
7. Appearance and grooming.
8. Sit and down on command, and staying in place.
9. Coming when called.
10. Supervised separation.

Is Your Dog Ready?

Make sure your dog can accomplish the objectives not only in your home, but also in different environments with new distractions. Group Classes are the perfect place for this. In fact, let me know you are working towards this goal and I will specifically help you with some of the requirements. If your dog performs well at group class, that is a great first step in earning the certificate.

I am a certified Canine Good Citizen tester and would be happy to help you and your dog reach this goal. Please contact me for more information if you are interested in having your dog become a Canine Good Citizen.

For all rules and regulations, visit The AKC Site.